Essendon rounded off its Grand Final preparations with a sharp 40-minute session at Windy Hill. But it was a session tinged with sadness with Bomber veteran Dean Wallis and best mate John Barnes announcing their retirement at a press conference prior to training. At the commencement of training, Essendon players formed a guard of honor for Barnes, Wallis and injured star Michael Long. The three ran through the guard of honor arm in arm as 4000 Essendon fans cheered them on. It was emotional stuff and hopefully the forerunner of an even more emotion-charged premiership win tomorrow.

Essendon players looked very focussed during their final training session of the year and most importantly captain James Hird and Mark Mercuri both moved very well. Both players have been under injury clouds this week but they are now both certain starters in the Grand Final. Following training Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy took his side behind closed doors to wind up tactical preparations for tomorrow.