This moment is the 15th of a virtual series presenting the Bombers' best 30 moments over 150 years, which fans can vote on for their chance to win prizes. Click here to view and vote, and see the schedule and prizes below.
It was known as the 'Sensational Seventies', such were the thrills, spills and highlights of a decade when the game - aided by the introduction of colour television and coaches with attacking game plans- rose to new heights. The one-on-one battles captured the attention of the football public, who marvelled at the strength and brilliance of the game’s gladiators.
In round 11, 1978 at Windy Hill, one particular battle has gone down in history as a high point in the aerial artistry of the game’s high fliers. Essendon’s Paul Vander Haar and Hawthorn centre half-back Peter Knights took to the skies that afternoon in one of the greatest marking duels the game has ever seen.
'Vander' took six marks, Knights 10, many of them contested, and everyone who was there that day walked away in awe of the battle they had just witnessed. The Hawks, who won the premiership later in the season, defeated the Bombers by 29 points, but the Vander Haar versus Knights duel was all anyone wanted to talk about.
Ironically, Knights - a premiership player with the Hawks in 1976 - was Vander Haar’s hero before he arrived at Essendon in 1977. “I was a Hawthorn supporter then, and Knightsy was a bit of a legend there,” Vander explained, “so it was pretty exciting getting up and having a game against him.”
Knights recalled, “Vander used to run around and jump on my head and climb over the back of me, [so] I used to try and knock it away. I remember one particular incident where I crashed into [him], and I had to cop the boos from the Essendon crowd for the remainder of the game. But I was able to walk off the ground and point up at that scoreboard.”
Vander added, “It’s one of those games that obviously gets brought up quite a lot. It was only my second year, so I was still getting my feet on the ground. Back in those days, I don't think I worried too much about defence, it was just: Go for the ball."
For the 22,217 spectators who packed into Windy Hill that day, it was a blessing that both players had a licence to fly for every ball that came their way. There were no negative tactics, just two champion footballers with attacking flair who were prepared to leap to the heavens at every opportunity. It was little wonder, then, that Vander Haar, who went on to play in the 1984 and ’85 premierships with Essendon, was soon dubbed 'The Flying Dutchman'.
SCHEDULE OF MOMENTS
Round 1 (launching May 6) - 1872-1939
Round 2 (launching May 10) - 1940-1959
Round 3 (launching May 15) - 1960-1979
Round 4 (launching May 20) - 1980-1989
Round 5 (launching May 25) - 1990-1999
Round 6 (launching May 30) - 2000-2021
Round 7 (launching June 4) - Finals round
PRIZES
Round 1 – One 2022 merchandise pack, including an Essendon New Era Black on Black 9FORTY Snapback cap ($40) and an Essendon Heritage Bar Scarf ($30)
Round 2 – One Essendon Fibre of Football Scarf ($80)
Round 3 - One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 4 – One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 5 – One 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
Round 6 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329)
Round 7 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329) and one 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
