International Bomber News Report

No. 2 February 10, 1997

The Numbers Game

After being packed away in mothballs for three years, the number 32 guernsey made famous by Tim Watson is being brought out of mothballs.

Watson wore the guernsey with distinction for 307 games during a career which endured from 1977 to 1994. Now Kevin Sheedy has chosen Canberra recruit Justin Blumfield to wear one of the Club’s most famous jumpers. Justin Blumfield was included in the side for the resumed game in round 10 against St Kilda last season and went on to play ten senior games including the two interstate finals at the Gabba and Sydney.

When he took the field for that St Kilda game Justin also made history becoming the 1000th senior player for the club. The coach chooses player numbers carefully and obviously recognizes Justin as a talent worthy to wear a number which has provided the football public with so much entertainment over almost two decades of football.

The coach also has a high regard for the potential of 18 year old Daniel McAllister who has joined the club from the Tassie Mariners. No mucking about with the high numbers for Daniel. He will wear another famous number, 4, the guernsey worn by Brownlow Medallist and 1993 Premiership hero Gavin Wanganeen. The smart money suggests Daniel, a former New Zealander who has been playing Australian football for just two year, will play senior football this season.

Danny Morgan, twice winner of the Reserve best and fairest, jumps to number 36. Peter Berbakov who played 17 games last season will now wear number 20. Blake Caracella takes over 33 while recruit Chris Hefferman will wear 26. That’s quite a compliment for Chris taking over the number from Mark Bomber Thompson.

Now if your think you really know your numbers here’s a chance to test your knowledge:
Q. Who wore numbers 4 and 32 before Gavin Wanganeen and Tim Watson?
Answers at the end of our report.

More players on the bench for Gabba matches

A win for Kevin Sheedy this week when the AFL decided to allow six interchange players for Ansett Cup matches played at the Gabba this season. Very relevant news for Essendon since we play Brisbane in the first round of the night series on Monday March 3. The increased bench will only apply for Gabba matches. Given that Australia is experiencing a very hot summer, the news has been welcomed at Windy Hill.

And Sheeds made the headlines this week with his suggestion of playing a match overseas for premiership points. Many of the Clubs offered their support for the concept but the news wasn’t greeted with the same enthusiasm at AFL House where Communications Manager Tony Peek was quick to point out that The Oval in London was the only ground outside of Australia suitable for playing AFL football. Everyone agrees planning the game would take a minimum of 12 months. As Sheeds says, "Anything’s possible".

International Supporters Club

We were delighted with the initial response to last week’s newsletter which announced details of our International Supporters Club. An opportunity for Essendon fans anywhere in the world to be part of our 1997 premiership campaign. We will send each member a T-shirt inscribed "Bombers International Supporters Club" and a 125th anniversary cap. The Club celebrates its 125th anniversary in May, 1997.

We will also send a pre-season video showing summer training and interviews with the coaches and leading players. There will be a fortnightly fax service updating all the news from Windy Hill, including all the inside gossip that will not be included in our weekly news report on the net.

As an international member you will have full voting rights during club elections.

Full details of the International Supporters Club package are available from David Axup, or click here for more details.

The cost is just $100US. Why not join our premiership campaign?

Movements on the EFC Committee

There are two new faces on the committee of the Essendon Football Club following the close of nominations last week.

New committee persons are Vice-President Graeme McMahon and former player Alec Epis.

They succeed Mr Brian Donohoe and Mr Lionel Krongold.

Mr McMahon played with the Reserves in the 50’s and played at Prahran in the former Victorian Football Association. One of his team mates was Kevin Sheedy before he crossed to Richmond. Mr McMahon was formerly Managing Director of Ansett Australia.

Alec Epis played 180 games for the club and was a member of the 1962 and 1965 premiership sides.

Mr Brian Donohoe had been a member of the committee since 1980 and was Chairman of the match sub-committee during our back to back premierships in 1984-85. He was also the driving force behind the building of the Club’s Hall of Fame (and one of the greatest helps in setting up the original Essendon home page, thanks Brian - [Brad]).

Mr Lionel Krongold had been a member of the committee since 1991. He served on many sub-committees. In 1996 Mr Krongold was chairperson of the Club’s Site Development sub-committee.

EFC President to contest AFL Commissioner ballot

President Mr David Shaw announced during the week he would contest the ballot to elect new AFL commissioners. There are five nominations for four vacancies. Graeme Samuel and former Essendon President Ron Evans, two existing Commissioners are again nominating. David Shaw and Just Jeans founder Craig Kimberley are being recommended by a sub-committee appointed by the AFL. The fifth challenger is Tribunal Chairman, Neil Busse. The ballot will be declared on February 18.

Up-coming Practice Match

The team heads to Hobart this weekend for a practice match against the Sydney Swans. Look for next week’s report for all the details.

The Numbers Game II

Now, how was your memory? Who did previously wear number 4 and 32?

Michael Long wore number 4 but quickly grabbed number 13 when it became available after the retirement of Darren Williams. It’s been a great number though, with Leon Baker and Ron Andrews both making it a famous number at Bomberland.

Little known Howard Staehr wore 32 before Watson. Howard played just five games in his two seasons with the Club in 1974 and 1976. Watson joined us the following year. Howard was from Horsham and went to VFA club Brunswick and then Hawthorn Reserves. The number was previously worn by former player and coach Barry Davis who transferred to North Melbourne after a 12 year career in which he played 218 games for the Bombers.


We hope you like the International News Report.

If there are features you would like to see included each week simply let us know by email. Please tell your friends about the International Supporters Club. It will be a great way to keep in touch with the Bombers during our 125th anniversary year.

Alan Murphy
Communications Manager
Essendon Football Club
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