Courageous on the ground and brilliant in the air – Paul Vander Haar was a star for the Bombers throughout the late 1970’s and 80’s.  The two-time premiership player will be inducted into the Essendon Hall of Fame on Saturday the 27^th of June (click here for tickets).

Vander Haar took a little convincing to head to Windy Hill but Essendon finally got his signature ahead of the 1977 season.

The recruit from Ringwood made an immediate impression.

He made his debut in round five against North Melbourne.  In just his third senior match he pulled in nine marks.  Vander Haar kicked 19 goals that season and was awarded the equivalent of the league’s Rising Star award.  He also picked up Essendon’s Best First Year Player and was runner up in the Best and Fairest.

A neck injury sustained in a trail bike accident threatened his career in 1978 but Vander Haar recovered.  In round 11 that year Vander Haar lined up against Hawthorn’s Peter Knights.  Their duel became the stuff of legend as the pair hauled in 16 contested marks between them.  “The Flying Dutchman” was born.

Vander Haar played in four Grand Finals for Essendon including the 1984-85 back-to-back triumphs.  He also represented Victoria three times before injuries disrupted the latter stages of his career.

Vander Haar retired after the 1990 Grand Final loss to Collingwood. 

His career will be celebrated at the Milestones and Hall of Fame Induction evening.

For more details click here.