It might not have been at 1984/85 levels, but it was back-to-back premierships nonetheless.
With the AFL releasing the NAB Challenge fixture yesterday, it is an opportune time to reflect on the 1993/94 pre-season premierships.
The 1993 success laid the foundation for the Grand Final triumph that would take place in September that year.
A crowd of 75,533 was on hand as the Bombers met Richmond in the pre-season decider at Waverley Park.
James Hird had just four senior games to his name at that stage. The 20 year old kicked five goals as his side won by 23 points.
Gavin Wanganeen was best on ground, winning the Michael Tuck medal, ahead of his Brownlow medal-winning season.
Essendon 14.18.102 def. Richmond 11.13.79
Goals: 5 Hird, 2 Cransberg, 2 Ridley, 2 Bewick, Kickett, Sporn, Somerville.
Best: Wanganeen, Bewick, Hird, Harvey, O’Donnell, Long.
B: Wanganeen, Manton, Wallis
HB: C. Daniher, Harvey, Thompson
C: Sporn, O’Donnell, Hills
HF: Long, Hird, Mercuri
F: Bewick, Ridley, Alessio
R: Somerville, Grenvold, Denham
I: Filandia, Derek Kickett, Misiti, Cransberg
Essendon's memorable 1993 season started with a pre-season Grand Final win over Richmond.
Fresh from its premiership success in 1993, Essendon again reached the decider of the pre-season competition in 1994.
Six players, including Captain Mark Thompson, were missing from the side that beat Carlton six months earlier when the Bombers met Adelaide in the pre-season Grand Final.
Gary O’Donnell was voted best on ground, while stand in Captain Paul Salmon kicked three goals before a crowd of 43,925.
After a tight first quarter, the Bombers kicked away winning by 24 points.
Essendon 15.12.102 def. Adelaide 9.14.68
Goals: 3 Salmon, 3 Bewick, 3 Manton, Mercuri, Hird, O’Donnell, Dale Kickett, Olarenshaw, Somerville.
Best: O’Donnell, Bewick, Manton, Somerville, Calthorpe, Misiti, Wanganeen, Olarenshaw.
B: Wanganeen, Fletcher, Harvey
HB: Doolan, Stevenson, Mercuri
C: Olarenshaw, Misiti, Kilpatrick
HF: C-Collins, Manton, Hird
F: Calthorpe, Salmon, Watson
R: Somerville, O’Donnell, Bewick
I: Dale Kickett, C. Daniher, Symons, Delaney
