In season 1999 the appearance of Essendon players at the AFL tribunal was an all to common occurrence.

The Bombers had 21 individual reports during season 1999 resulting in 11 suspensions and players spending 23 weeks on the sidelines.

It was by far the worst record of any club in the competition with not one other club reaching double figures in terms of weeks lost.

We are halfway through the 2000 season and Essendon has had just two players visit the tribunal this year.

Dean Wallis and Joe Misiti were both cited for wrestling and both were fined. Matthew Lloyd was reported for striking but the charge was susequently withdrawn.

The Bombers haven't lost a single player through suspension so there has been a change in attitude from the Essendon players in season 2000.

"It was something we addressed at the end of last season - there is no doubt the numbers were too high in terms of suspensions," Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said.

"It is hard enough to keep players injury-free. You need your best players available each week and its no good having fit players watching from the grandstand."

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy felt the leadership course the players were put through at Airlie Police College had instilled the neccessary discipline in his players.

For the record, last year's premiers the Kangaroos had just three players front the tribunal in 1999 and lost two of them for a total of five weeks.