What the premiership winning 1993 Essendon side lacked in years, it compensated for with hunger according to one of the stars of the team, Gavin Wanganeen.
When Essendon lifted the premiership cup after the 44 point Grand Final victory over Carlton, it did so with eight of its 20 players that took the field that day aged 21 or younger.
Only one player (Tim Watson) was over 30.
“We had hungry young guys,” Wanganeen told Bomber Radio.
“We were young, hungry and we believed we could match it with the older players that we played against.
“But we also had experience in the team as well – Salmon, Thompson, O’Donnell, Timmy Watson came in later in the piece, Peter Somerville was an AFL hardened player in the ruck, Darren Bewick a dangerous goal sneak.
“We had a good blend of young and old, but we were hungry.”
The Bombers missed the finals in 1992 and made a slow start to the 1993 season, picking up just two points – thanks to a errant post-siren Stephen Kernahan shot at goal – from the first three rounds.
But between round six and round 20, Essendon dropped just two games and it was the round 16 clash with reigning premiers West Coast that Wanganeen said marked the day the side believed they could win the premiership.
The game was significant for a number of reasons. Paul Salmon kicked truly late in the match after a wayward afternoon and Kevin Sheedy celebrated the two-point victory by waving his jacket above his head.
“I remember going back with the flight of the ball, West Coast were surging forward to kick a goal to put them in front with about 30 seconds to go,” Wanganeen said.
“I threw myself back into a pack and nearly broke my back and helped stop that attack.
“I think that was the significant turning point.
“We felt like we could match it with anyone and we deserved to play in the finals – well, play in a Grand Final and win one.”
More than 20 years later and a new crop of young Essendon players are searching for their own Premiership medals.
Wanganeen’s advice is to never become complacent.
“Make the most of every opportunity that you have – don’t ever take anything for granted,” he said.
“Play like it’s your last game – like you’re on the edge – and get used to playing like you’re under pressure because it’s a pressure business.
“You’re under scrutiny, the media are watching you, so if you can learn to soak up pressure well and really look forward to absorbing that pressure … make sure you've got the most hungry appetite for success."
