Today marks one week until Essendon hosts Fremantle at Marvel Stadium in its opening game of the 2020 AFL season.
The Bombers have had no shortage of brilliant wins to kick off past seasons, so we’ve taken the chance to look at some of the side’s very best round one wins of the 21st century.
2000
ESSENDON 4.4 11.5 17.7 24.12 (156)
PORT ADELAIDE 0.3 2.8 6.13 8.14 (62)
This certainly wasn’t a bad way to open a new stadium in what would become one of the most remarkable seasons ever witnessed.
Gracing the turf at Marvel Stadium for the very first time, the brilliant Bombers went ballistic, tearing Port Adelaide apart throughout the game in a powerful sign of what was to come in 2000.
The stars came to the fore, with Matthew Lloyd (seven goals), James Hird (19 disposals and four goals), Joe Misiti (29 disposals and a goal) and Jason Johnson (21 disposals and two goals) proving particularly damaging.
The dominant 94-point victory inflicted what was, at the time, the Power’s biggest ever defeat.
2007
ADELAIDE 3.4 5.9 7.14 10.14 (74)
ESSENDON 5.1 8.3 12.8 16.9 (105)
It is never easy to kick off a season away from home in front of a hostile crowd, but that was the challenge Essendon faced in 2007.
The Crows entered the season full of confidence after finishing second on the ladder in 2006, while the Bombers had previously struggled into 15th place and fielded a number of inexperienced players including dangerous forwards Alwyn Davey and Leroy Jetta in their very first senior games.
But while the odds were against them, the Dons were there to play, bursting out of the gates with an impressive five-goal opening term to set the tone for a terrific victory.
Powerful goalkicker Scott Lucas was the star of the show with seven goals, while Jetta impressed on debut with a pair of his own.
2012
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.3 8.5 10.10 15.12 (102)
ESSENDON 3.2 9.8 13.14 14.20 (104)
Not even the final siren could determine a winner in this classic contest, with Kangaroo Hamish McIntosh carrying the weight of the world in a set shot after taking a crucial grab just moments before it had blown.
It was a deservedly climactic finish to what had been a tense, seesawing game in front of a bumper crowd at Marvel Stadium.
Thankfully for those in the red and black, McIntosh missed his chance to be the hero, pushing his shot across the face of goal to see the Bombers emerge with a thrilling two-point victory.
Essendon’s leaders stood up brilliantly in the tight contest, with Brent Stanton (35 disposals, 18 contested possessions, nine inside 50s, eight clearances and two goals) and Jobe Watson (28 disposals, 15 contested possessions and a goal) dominating the midfield.
2017
ESSENDON 4.4 5.8 12.12 17.14 (116)
HAWTHORN 2.3 6.10 10.14 12.19 (91)
Perhaps the most emotionally-charged victory in the club’s recent history, the Bombers’ mighty return to the big stage in 2017 is one many won’t forget.
Six Dons were back in the red and black following year-long suspensions and the new-look side was set a big task against a powerful Hawthorn line-up.
While momentum swung back and forth at stages throughout the game, it was the Bombers who showed the coolest heads, taking control in the second half to run away from the Hawks and record a famous win.
New skipper Dyson Heppell was the star of the show in an enormous performance with 34 disposals – at 82 per cent efficiency – 16 contested possessions, seven tackles and 11 score involvements including three goals.
Versatile forward Orazio Fantasia (16 disposals, nine contested possessions, four goals) and ball magnet Zach Merrett (37 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 748 metres gained and seven inside 50s) were also among the side’s best in the memorable win.
2018
ESSENDON 4.2 5.8 8.10 14.15 (99)
ADELAIDE 3.5 4.9 11.12 12.15 (87)
Three star recruits donned the sash for the first time against the Crows in the opening round of 2018 and the trio – featuring Devon Smith, Adam Saad and Jake Stringer – didn’t disappoint in a thrilling encounter.
A third-quarter lapse had the Bombers on the back foot entering the final term, but a powerful finish in front of a deafening home crowd saw the Dons overcome the reigning Grand Finalists in style.
Young gun Josh Begley was the hero in just his fourth senior game, snapping the sealing goal with just moments remaining to close out the classic match.
Dyson Heppell claimed the three Brownlow votes for his dominant performance on the ball gathering 35 disposals, 11 contested possessions and nine inside 50s, while Cale Hooker (three goals) displayed his impressive versatility once more.
What's been your favourite round one Essendon win of the 21st century? Have your say in the poll below.
