1901 - Thurgood leads the Dons to a second Flag

Scores:


ESSENDON........6.7.43
COLLINGWOOD.....2.4.16

The Team:

Backs	F. Mann	J. Anderson	M. Collins
Half-Backs	E. Barry	H. Gavin	T. Collins
Centres	G. Hastings	H. Wright	H. Vollugi
Half-Forwards	F. Hiskins	A. Thurgood	J. Larkin
Forwards	G. Martin	E. Kinnear	G. Stuckey
Followers	W. Robinson	J. McKenzie	W. Griffith

Thurgood's importance is realised...

Albert Thurgood is said to be one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Essendon players ever. In 1901 he showed everyone that he was capable of playing football to the high standard that he had set in his younger days. After a good start to the year, Thurgood was injured out at Victoria Park (apparently even a "hoodoo" ground back then), and suddenly the side fell sharply, right to bottom spot on the ladder. When Thurgood returned, he played magnificent football to boost Essendon back up to fourth positio n on the ladder, which is where the side finished after the home and home rounds.

The Finals series...

Geelong had played marvellous football all year, to finish well clear on top of the ladder, and firm favorites for the flag. In its first final, Essendon played Fitzroy (who started favorites), and won in controversial circumstances. Thurgood had a shot for goal which subsequently hit the post, unbeknownest to the goal umpire, who signalled it a goal. Essendon went on to win by only one point! Thurgood was outstanding in this game, kicking five of the Dons six goals for the game. Not only did he kick goals on the forward line, but he also played center-half back and in the ruck. The scores for that game were Essendon 6.10.46 to Fitzroy 6.9.45.

The Grand Final, and victory over Collingwood...

So the Dons went on to meet Collingwood in the Grand Final. In what has since become tradition, the game was played in front of a huge crowd of 30,031 at the South Melbourne ground. After a tight opening to the game, Essendon managed to kick three goals to Collingwood's single point ath quarter time. By half time the game was nearly over, with Essendon leading 5.2 to 0.3. Collingwood rallied in the third quarter, only to be overrun by the Dons in the last. Essendon went on to win by 27 points. Thurgood onc e again showed great form kicking three goals, along with Hugh Gavin (who was named best on ground). Harry Wright was another clear winner on the day.

Thurgood's year...

Thurgood was honored once again by being named the Champion of the Colony. Essendon broke history in that year to be the first team to kick over 1,000 points for the year, with 1,174. This was due largely to Thurgood and full-forward Fred Hiskins (who lead the goal-kicking with 34 goals). It was an impressive rise to form by Essendon, and the year really belonged to the champion footballer Albert Thurgood.

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