The Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce that Darren Bewick and Mark Mercuri will be among the names joining our Hall of Fame in 2023.
The dynamic half-forward duo were teammates at the Dons from 1992-2000, each playing integral roles in the 1993 and 2000 premiership sides.
Bewick first joined the Bombers from West Perth in 1988, with the red and black faithful quickly impressed by his burst of pace and freakish eye for goal.
A member of the club’s 1990 Grand Final side that were defeated by Collingwood, Bewick continued to star into the new decade, finishing runner-up in the Crichton Medal for the 1991 season.
He is perhaps best remembered for his terrific form in the 1993 season, booting 52 goals in the premiership side dubbed the ‘Baby Bombers’, including a famous six-goal effort in the Preliminary Final comeback against Adelaide.
In 1996, Bewick stunned the football world in his first game back after missing 12 months from a knee reconstruction, booting a career-high haul of nine goals against the Cats in the AFL’s commemorative Centenary Round.
Bewick’s final outing with the club was a memorable one, finishing his 238-game, 332-goal career after winning the Grand Final in Essendon’s dominant 2000 season.
Mercuri, recruited from Keilor Park ahead of the 1992 season, quickly became a fan favourite at the Dons for his crafty and intelligent play.
Mercuri was a standout performer in the 1993 Finals Series amongst an exciting young core of players, kicking three goals in the Grand Final victory at just 19 years of age.
Fighting back from injury troubles throughout the ensuing years, Mercuri flourished in the 1999 season, piecing together one of the best individual campaigns seen by a Bomber.
Averaging 22 disposals per game and booting 32 goals (including a stellar solo effort in round one that was named Goal of the Year), Mercuri was named an All-Australian, won the Crichton Medal, and finished second in the Brownlow Medal with 22 votes behind Shane Crawford.
Mercuri’s class was on display in the 2000 season, once again kicking 32 goals from his 20 appearances as the Bombers only lost one game on the way to a record-equalling 16th premiership.
Mercuri would retire from the AFL after the 2004 season, finishing with 207 games and 242 goals to his name.
Both players made a significant impact in their time at the club, and fittingly will join the Hall of Fame in the same year after their contributions as teammates.
Information and tickets for the club's 1993 Premiership Reunion and Hall of Fame Event can be found here.
