The Red & Black Project

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 908, Mark Harvey, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022.  One of Essendon's finest servants, Harvey played in three premierships (1984-85, 1993), was a dual All-Australian (1985, 1993), won a Crichton Medal (1992), and...

Raised in Canberra, Justin Blumfield was one of a number of exciting and talented recruits who arrived at Essendon during the mid-late 1990s and helped steer the club to the 2000 premiership, the Bombers' most recent Grand Final triumph. Possessing a good leap and a deep tank which allowed him to run all day, Blumfield - Bomber number 1001 - was a versatile player whom coach Kevin Sheedy used...

With over 100 years of experience, collectively, working at the Essendon Football Club, much loved trainers Charlie Italia, Murray Spargo and Rob Destradi have a catalogue of fascinating stories to share from their decades spent helping players and coaches strive for success. In this special podcast, the three life members reveal plenty of new insights into what has made the club tick for the past...

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 803, Graham Moss, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. Few players in VFL/AFL history have had a bigger impact over a four-year span than Moss, who, like a shooting star, burst on the scene in 1973 then left spectators aw...

Bomber number 736, Kevin Egan, has pretty much done it all at Essendon. Premiership player (1965), numerous off-field roles including being Kevin Sheedy's right-hand man during the 1980s, and later on the board when the momentous decision was made to end Sheedy's tenure. In 2015, Egan was rightfully inducted into the club's Hall of Fame. In this episode, he reflects on a remarkable...

You may not recognise him in the street, but you certainly know his work and have likely sung his song on many an occasion. Kevin Andrews is the man who penned the most famous of songs, the Essendon theme song (he even sings it for me in this episode!). Having been forced to endure a troubled and nomadic childhood, Andrews came under the influence of Bombers Hugh Mitchell and Jeff Gamble, and it w...

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 820, Simon Madden, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. One of Essendon's, and the game's, greatest ruckmen—some say THE greatest—Madden won four Crichton Medals (1977, 1979, 1983-84), was selected in six VFL Te...

As one of just 25 men in 152 years to have held the title of president/chairman of the Essendon Football Club, Neil McKissock is in select company. As the 19th president of the Bombers (2004-06), McKissock, a life-long supporter of the club who grew up idolising John Coleman and Bill Hutchison, oversaw a changing of the guard at Bomberland as the club struggled to replicate the on-field successes...

A member of Essendon's famed Baby Bombers, David Calthorpe reflects with raw honesty and openness on his 92-game career at Windy Hill (1992-98), which included the 1994 pre-season premiership, an EJ Whitten Medal as best Victorian State of Origin player, and of course, that famous 1993 flag alongside a number of his childhood mates from in and around the East Keilor area of Melbourne's n...

Former West Australian recruit, Colin Hebbard, reminisces about his 85-game career at Windy Hill (1957-61), which coincided with two Grand Final appearances in 1957 and 1959 - both losses to Melbourne - under legendary coach Dick Reynolds.  A versatile player, Hebbard was equally at home on a half-back or half-forward flank, and also spent time in the centre where he played alongside the likes of...

From his hometown of Perth in Western Australia, Tony 'The Budgie' Buhagiar reflects on his four seasons at Windy Hill (1981-84), which coincided with the rise of the Bombers under Kevin Sheedy. Buhagiar burst onto the VFL scene after a successful career with East Fremantle (1973-80), which included two premierships. Wearing the number 20 red and black guernsey, the diminiative rover bec...

A product of Essendon's fruitful Wimmera recruiting zone during the 1970s, Russell Ellen played 35 games for the Bombers (1973-77). His time at Windy Hill coincided with the careers of champion ruckman, Graham Moss, and an emerging Simon Madden, meaning Ellen, a tall, lanky ruckman himself, was in and out of the senior team. He went on to play 108 games at West Perth in Western Australia, bef...

Enjoy a laugh with Bomber number 888, Bill Duckworth, one of Essendon's most popular players and funniest storytellers, as he reminisces about his 126 games in red and black (1982-90), which included 64 goals, two premierships (1984-85) and the 1984 Norm Smith Medal. The West Australian also represented his home state in State of Origin football (1987), then, after returning to WA, won a stun...

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 936, Gary O'Donnell, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. One of Essendon's finest servants, O'Donnell toiled away in the under-19s and reserves for years before earning a senior game, and from there he nev...

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 696, Alec Epis, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. Dubbed 'The Kookaburra' because he loved a chat - on and off the field! - Epis, recruited from Western Australia, is one of the Bombers' finest contribut...

Bomber #725, Charlie Payne, reflects on his 184-game career in red & black (1962-72), which included the 1962 & 1965 premierships. Such was Payne's popularity with the Essendon faithful, he even had a song penned in his honour!

AFL journeyman, Tony Delaney, Bomber #976, discusses his 15-game career in red and black (1993-94), plus being a member of Fremantle's inaugural side (1995-99, 28 games) and his final stint with St Kilda (2000-01, 33 games). Tony also talks about the rewarding work he does today with Indigenous youth in Western Australia.

Bomber number 989, Michael Prior, reflects on his childhood in Western Australia, the expectations of being the No. 3 overall pick in the 1992 AFL draft, his 90-game career at Essendon (1993-2000) and the West Coast Eagles (2001-02) and, more recently, his time as coach of the Eagles' AFLW team.

Bomber number 1011, Simon Eastaugh, discusses his time at Essendon (1998-2000) which coincided with a golden era for the club & included selection in the famous 1998 'Marshmallow' game & the victorious 1999 reserves Grand Final side. Limited to just 17 senior games in the red & black, the hard-working ruckman joined Fremantle (2001-02, 12 games) where he continues to work wit...

Bomber number 798, Laurie Moloney, discusses his upbringing in South Gippsland, being part of a famous premiership with Leongatha FNC (1970), then his 80-game career in red & black (1971-76).

Former captain and dual premiership player, Don McKenzie, recalls his 266-game career at Essendon, where he defied an early knock-back to become one of the club's finest ruckmen and servants. Don also discusses his leading role in the league-altering player strike, in 1970, that saw him stripped of the captaincy but helped set in motion the establishment of the AFL Players' Association.

Bomber No. 660, Hugh Mitchell, Essendon's oldest surviving premiership player, reflects on his childhood as a passionate supporter of the club where he later played 224 games (1953-67), won two premierships (1962 & 1965), was a three-time leading goalkicker (1955, 1961 & 1964), became a life member and, in 2012, was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

Bomber number 870, Alan Stoneham, discusses his time at Footscray (1972-79) before crossing to Windy Hill in 1980. During a 72-game career in red and black (1980-83), that included captaining the '83 reserves premiership side, Stoneham suffered a severe head knock against Hawthorn, the beginning of ongoing brain-related issues he has faced since that day. In a raw and honest account of some o...

Bomber number 756, Peter Daniel, discusses his 100-game career at Essendon (1968-74) and his Hall of Fame career in Tasmania, and also reveals a never-told-before story of the time he stood up to EFC president, Allan Hird, while seeking greater rights and conditions for players. (Apologies for any audio issues)

Bomber number 766, David Collins, president of the Essendon Football Club Past Players & Officials Association, discusses his 14-game career at the Bombers (1969-70), plus his post-playing days working alongside Kevin Sheedy in the coach's box.