When Essendon played host to North Melbourne in round one 1980, both sides were looking to re-gather the momentum lost in early finals exits a year earlier.
The Kangaroos under Ron Barassi held Barry Davis’ Bombers at arms length for most of the match.
Merv Neagle, Ian Marsh and Tim Watson led the possession count for Essendon but Kerry Good’s six goals from seven kicks was a key factor, as the Kangaroos won by 13 points.
That was the last time Essendon lost a round one home game.
In the 36 years since, the Bombers have won all ten of their round one home matches, with an average winning margin of 51 points.
Wayne Otway kicked five goals in his Essendon debut during the side’s 109-point win against Footscray in 1982.
Paul Salmon kicked seven in the 1988 season opener, while Michael Werner booted five to start the 1990 campaign.
Essendon came from behind to beat eventual premiers West Coast in 1994 and four goals to Peter Berbakov helped Essendon hang on to beat Carlton in 1997.
The Bombers celebrated the opening of Docklands Stadium with a 94-point win over Port Adelaide. Matthew Lloyd booted seven goals. Six years later he kicked eight against Sydney.
The Dons last round one home game came in 2011 when Jobe Watson’s 35 possessions and two goals helped the side beat Western Bulldogs by 55 points. Dyson Heppell made his debut that day and picked up 20 possessions.
The winning streak is spread across four decades. The only unfortunate issue for Bombers fans, is the fact the team hasn't been the designated home side in round one more often. Since 1980, Essendon has hosted just ten round one games, 14 less than rivals North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs.
Essendon’s round one home games (since 1980)
2011 – Essendon 17.17.113 def Western Bulldogs 8.10.58
2006 – Essendon 17.6.108 def Sydney 12.9.81
2000 – Essendon 24.12.156 def Port Adelaide 8.14.62
1999 – Essendon 16.14.110 def Carlton 9.17.71
1997 – Essendon 16.10.106 def Carlton 15.9.99
1994 – Essendon 12.10.82 def West Coast 11.13. 79
1990 – Essendon 20.21.141 def Fitzroy 8.12.60
1988 – Essendon 25.14.164 def North Melbourne 12.10.82
1985 – Essendon 21.11.137 def Richmond 18.12.120
1982 – Essendon 29.16.190 def Footscray 11.15.81
1980 – Essendon 12.15.87 def by North Melbourne 15.10.100
Round one home games since 1980
North Melbourne 24
Western Bulldogs/Footscray 24
Melbourne 21
Carlton 19
Geelong 19
Collingwood 18
St Kilda 18
Hawthorn 17
Richmond 16
Sydney/South Melbourne 14
Essendon 10
