All eyes were on the Bombers at the MCG in the opening round of the 2017 season as six senior players returned from year-long suspensions against an arch rival. 

Captain Dyson Heppell – leading the side out for the first time – joined former skipper Jobe Watson and experienced Dons Brent Stanton, Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker and Travis Colyer for the group’s first senior game back in the red and black and the game didn’t disappoint.

Emotionally charged on the big stage, the Dons fired early with the opening three goals of the clash before Hawthorn slowly settled into the game.

The scores began to dry up for Essendon as the Hawks flexed their muscles, kicking four goals on the trot to extend to a 13-point lead early in the third term, but the Bombers weren’t going to let this one slip away. 

Dangerous forward Orazio Fantasia proved particularly damaging, taking control of the contest and kicking his fourth goal midway through the premiership quarter before the experienced heads followed his lead.

Crucial goals to David Zaharakis and Heppell helped reclaim the lead before key forwards Joe Daniher and Shaun McKernan extended the margin and made it five unanswered goals within 12 minutes heading into the final change.

Heppell continued the onslaught with a classy goal less than 30 seconds into the final term to once again have the fans on their feet and maintain the momentum, adding another later in the quarter as the cherry on top of a huge individual performance.

Fittingly, it was another returning hero who put the result well beyond doubt with Stanton finishing the contest off with a memorable goal to kick off the emotional celebrations both on the field and in the stands.

The eruption at the ‘G on the final siren said it all.

Dyson Heppell (34 disposals – at 82 per cent efficiency – 16 contested possessions, seven tackles and 11 score involvements including three goals) took home the three Brownlow Medal votes for his monstrous captain’s game, while Fantasia (16 disposals, nine contested possessions, four goals) and Zach Merrett (37 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 748 metres gained and seven inside 50s) were also among the side’s best.

ESSENDON           4.4     5.8      12.12     17.14 (116)
HAWTHORN        2.3     6.10    10.14      12.19 (91)

GOALS

Essendon: Fantasia 4, Daniher 3, Hooker 3, Heppell 3, Stanton 2, Zaharakis, McKernan
Hawthorn: Roughead 2, McEvoy 2, Puopolo 2, Hartung, Breust, Rioli, Smith, Schoenmakers, Shiels