Tim Watson:

Years Played: 1977-91, 1993-94

Tim Watson was a brilliant, creative half-forward and later ruck-rover. He made his debut in rd 7 1977 in a drawn game against Richmond at the age of 15 years and 305 days making him Essendon’s youngest ever player and the third youngest in League history.

He was named as ruck rover in "The Sun" All Star team in 1985 and in the "Inside Football" Team of the Year in 1980. He also won Essendon's most determined player award in 1985.

Disaster struck when Watson badly injured his knee in the third round in 1986 and he also missed most of 1987 with the injury. He made a successful comeback in 1987, but shocked the football world by announcing his retirement at the end of 1991, saying his body could no longer cope with the stresses of League football.

Kevin Sheedy felt that Watson still had a lot to offer as a player, and in 1993 convinced Watson to return as a player and to nurture the development of the young squad.

It was a wise move and Watson became part of the famous Baby Bombers premiership team that defeated Carlton in 1993. Part way through the 1994 season Watson retired from league football for the second and final time with three premiership medals and 307 games, the third highest at he club to that time.

Chris Heffernan:

Years Played: 1997-2002, 2006-2007

Essendon drafted Chris Heffernan in the 1996 National draft with its first selection at pick number two overall. He came from Terang in Victoria's Western District and joined Windy Hill with a big reputation from VSFL club Geelong Falcons.

Heffernan debuted for Essendon in Round 19, 1997 against Geelong at the MCG and played in three of the last four games to end the season off on a good note. He was a level-headed youngster who showed good skills and was one of the fittest players at the club. He was considered to be one of the hottest young players around showing poise and the confidence to take on opponents.

Heffernan was a member of the 2000 premiership team in which he was pitted against Brownlow medallist Shane Woewodin and gained 10 kicks, three marks and seven tackles. He also represented Australia in the International Rules side in 2000.

Heffernan was traded to the Melbourne Football Club at the end of the 2002 season but recruited back to Essednon at the end of 2005.

In 2006, Heffernan played 19 games for Essendon, being utilised in a number of positions around the ground.

Chris Heffernan retired at the end of the 2007 season.

John Barnes:

Years Played: 1987-90, 2000-01

He debuted for Essendon in Round 10 1987 and finished the season with six games. Opportunities were few for Barnes owing to Essendon's strong ruck brigade and he played only two games in each of the next three years for a total of 12 games in those four seasons. In 1991 he played eight Reserves games but injury ruined much of his year.

At the end of 1991 Barnes was traded to Geelong for Sean Denham in a deal that worked well for both clubs. At Geelong Barnes became their number one ruckman and he remained there for eight seasons, playing in 144 games for 65 goals and appearing in three (losing) Grand Finals.

In 1999 Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy believed Barnes had something to offer Essendon and he was picked up in the 1999 draft and returned to Windy Hill. He proved a successful recruit, playing well in tandem with ruck team-mate Steve Alessio.

In the all-conquering 2000 Essendon team Barnes played in all 24 rounds and eventually won the premiership medal that had proved so elusive at Geelong when the team beat Melbourne in the 2000 Grand Final.

Barnes played 22 games for Essendon in 2001 and retired at the end of that season but remained at the club as runner until 2007. In 2008 he became runner for the Bulldog and in September that year he was appointed coach of the local club Doutta Stars.

Paul Salmon:

Years Played: 1983-95,2002

Paul Salmon, known as "Fish", was a brilliant, high flying full-forward and ruckman who came from North Ringwood to the U19s. He was a champion junior player who had been an All-Australian Teal Cup representative on three occasions.

At 206 cm he was one of the tallest men to play League football and with his strong hands and long reach he seemed almost impossible to outmark.

He became dissatisfied with his role as full-forward and wanted to spend more time in the ruck, but found it difficult to cement that role agains the likes of team-mates Simon Madden, and later, Steve Alessio and Peter Somerville.

He transferred to Hawthorn in 1996 where he was finally able to fulfil this ambition. The complex deal which enabled him to go to Hawthorn brought Paul Barnard and Sean Wellman to Essendon and saw Darren Jarman return to Adelaide.

Salmon retired in 2001 after 100 games and two best and fairest awards with Hawthorn, but made a surprising comeback with Essendon in 2002. He made his first appearance for the season in Round 7 against Carlton at the MCG and played a further 14 games before retiring for good at the end of the year.

In all he played 324 games for two clubs.

Neville Fields:

Years Played: 1969-77, 1981-82

"Nifty" Neville Fields was a dashing centreman with a magnificent left-foot kick. He arrived at Windy Hill from Essendon High School and was hailed as a superstar in his early years, but he lacked consistency.

He was Essendon second highest Brownlow medal vote getter in 1972 (equal) and 1973 and was equal third top in 1976. He was also Essendon's third top goalkicker in 1972 and 1974. His best goalkicking performance was 6 goals against South Melbourne in 1973. He was not the same dominant force later in his career and was cleared to South Melbourne in 1978 where he played 60 games between 1978 and 1980, and again represented Victoria against the A.C.T. in 1980.

Fields returned to Windy Hill in 1981, at the age of 30. He stayed for two seasons but played only five senior games.