In 1993, against all odds, the Baby Bombers recorded a remarkable victory over traditional rival Carlton to claim an historic premiership.

Last night that very team was honoured at the MCG for the side’s 25-year Premiership Reunion and a trio of Essendon heroes looked back on their success with joy.

324-game legend Paul Salmon was one of the leaders of the side, looking after youngsters like childhood friends Mark Mercuri and Joe Misiti in one of the most inexperienced premiership sides in history.

Salmon put the amazing premiership down to the strong bond of the young side.

“That year the chemistry among the playing group was amazing,” Salmon said.

“Both the playing group and all the off-field staff – as you’ll find with premiership years – the comradery and the sense of team is really strong and it’s nice to revisit that tonight.

“(It was) a premiership built largely off the back of youth and enthusiasm and pretty much not knowing what our limits were, so it was unique in that way.

“And to have the year we had, the slow start – I think after six rounds we were like four losses, one draw and one win – it’s an improbable kind of scenario in a lot of ways.”

Salmon was one of the heroes of the flag, booting five of his 65 goals in the premiership decider. While he played a significant role in the victory, he said assistant coach David Wheadon pulled a crucial masterstroke 25 years ago.

“David Wheadon that year had introduced team rules for the first time, which were rules that we had to follow on the ground, which made us predictable to one another.

“And we don’t know how much of a role that sort of stuff played, but I believe it was significant in making sure that we functioned as a team.”

Misiti agreed that the comradery of the group was a major factor in the victory and said he is fortunate to be a part of such a successful club.

“There’s a lot of clubs out there that haven’t had too much team success, so we’re at the top of the tree with 16 flags and I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in two of those,,” Misiti said.

“It’s just great to be able to reconnect with the boys that created a bit of history a long time ago.”

Mercuri said it was “fantastic” to revisit his fondest memories with his former teammates.

“Once you finish footy you drift away from the footy club and a lot of the guys, but to come back and catch up with everyone’s fantastic and you pick it up from where you left it, so it’s been really good,” Mercuri said.

“It was a very memorable year and we’re lucky enough to have shared in a premiership where we have these functions and it brings everyone back together.” 

The Bombers will once again face their old foe on Saturday at the MCG from 2:10pm.