Remember the time Gary Moorcroft nearly touched the roof at Marvel Stadium?

It was round 14, 2001 and the Dons were on a roll at the top of the ladder with an 11-2 record.

The Bulldogs had been decent with seven wins and six losses but entered the game off the back of a 61-point thumping at the hands of Carlton.

With just three goals from his first nine games of the year, Moorcroft was due for a breakthrough and he did it in style against the Dogs.

The Bulldogs got the early jump on the Bombers with the first two goals of the game, but Moorcroft was quick to respond in a sensational opening term that set the tone for the side.

A textbook long bomb from inside the centre square off the left boot of gun forward Scott Lucas saw the Bombers reclaim the lead and Essendon’s impressive run and carry began to tear its opponent apart.

Scott Lucas was sensational against the Dogs in round 14, 2001. (Image: AFL Photos)

The Dons entered the first change with a handy 13-point lead before Moorcroft took his game to a new level in a sensational second quarter for the ages.

He started playing out of the goalsquare, leading to the ball and clunking every mark to boot three of the first five goals in the term as the side extended away.

Essendon had booted 10 of the last 11 goals before Bulldogs Luke Darcy and Paul Hudson responded with the next two, but Moorcroft wasn’t done yet.

He kicked another major before reserving his best for last in the dying stages of the half. 

Not many players could say they have been a beneficiary of a rare Lucas right-foot kick, but Moorcroft was just that on that Friday night.

Lucas threw the ball onto his boot under pressure to drive the ball deep inside 50 and Moorcroft, with his tail well and truly up, was parked perfectly under the kick.

He flew into the air, springing off Bulldog Brad Johnson’s back with his tippy toes to lift himself to astonishing height and reach the ball.

The small forward was nearly parallel to the ground when he clung onto the Sherrin with the tips of his fingers before crashing back to the turf with the fans on their feet in amazement.

He subsequently converted the set shot, but taking what is still arguably the greatest mark ever taken did pay its price, with Moorcroft finding out eight months later that he had fractured his hip in the process.

With six goals and nine marks, including that incredible hanger, the 2000 premiership player went back to the rooms as a hero having led Essendon to a 45-point lead at the main change.

While Moorcroft was unable to hit the scoreboard for the remainder of the game, the red and black domination continued in the second half.

The star-studded Bombers proved too strong for the Dogs, piling on six goals in the third term before continuing the onslaught with a five-goals-to-one final quarter, running away with a brilliant 78-point victory.

Moorcroft’s heroics weren’t enough to claim three Brownlow medal votes on the night, with emerging Bomber Mark McVeigh taking home the best-on-ground honours with 18 disposals, 11 contested possessions, seven inside 50s and two goals.

Mark McVeigh had a breakthrough season in 2001. (Image: AFL Photos)

The high-flying Don was rewarded with two votes, while Lucas took one home for his 20 disposals, eight marks and three goals.

Essendon went on to finish at the top of the ladder in 2001, while the Western Bulldogs battled home for 10^th place.

Moorcroft and Lucas are among 11 former stars running back onto the turf at Marvel Stadium this Saturday for an exciting Legends Game, so don't miss out on your chance to see your favourite Bombers back in the sash. 

This flashback is brought to you by DON Smallgoods.