From Saga to Stability: How Essendon Became Contenders Again - AFL

The Essendon Bombers endured one of the most gruelling scandals in AFL history. The 'supplements saga' as it came to be known pushed the AFL to its limit. Now, almost 10 years on, the Bombers have rebuilt and look to be on an upwards trajectory again.
Special S/O to ‪@jaggerskilbeck‬ who also made some super comprehensive vids on the saga start to finish. Check them and his channel out!
• The Scandal that Broke...
• How the Bombers Came B...
===== Support us on Patreon: / footya2z =====
Facebook: / footya2z
Instagram: / footy_a2z
Music:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Way Home by Tokyo Music Walker / user-356546060
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/tokyo-music-walker-way...
Music promoted by Audio Library • Way Home - Tokyo Music...
Hot Coffee by Ghostrifter Official
/ ghostrifter-official
Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/2CMqiz0
Music promoted by Audio Library • Hot Coffee - Ghostrift...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[@FootyA2Z]

Essendon: And I took that personally

[@iLoveStKildaJadeGresham]

Upload again man

[@FootyA2Z]

@@iLoveStKildaJadeGresham all in good time

[@AceRememberTheDude]

This aged well

[@PikeTheFalcon]

I'm looking forward to see you guys start posting again. I'm from America, and I have only really watched AFL sporadically since I watched my first game in 2019, but I really wanted to hop back in this year, and realized you guys hadn't posted in 10 months, but it's nice to see that you do plan to return sometime. I'm still subscribed, so I guess I'll see it when it comes out.

[@DianneFilipenko]

@@PikeTheFalcon they're back!!! :)

[@nath-wp7xp]

Very timely upload on the 6400th day since Essendon's last final win.

[@Lucas-lk3gy]

6,401*

[@baldkevindurant]

how does one win a final?

[@garryjeffery9160]

@@Lucas-lk3gy 6402 :)

[@imdead.imaghostletstalk.8261]

Yeah, shut up.

[@seanlynch1185]

This video could have egg on its face

[@jude0006]

This aged well

[@mashek331]

As a Bombers member, what a nightmare those drug saga years were. Glad it's more or less behind us now, and win or lose each week, the club looks to be on the up with some great young talent. They've done amazingly the last few years in recruiting and establishing stability, both on and off field.

[@randovilclip]

😬😬😬😬

[@5150show]

Go Bombers . A New Zealand 🇳🇿 fan

[@lachlanfurze1593]

w

[@LeHamOfPillingshire]

Can’t wait for the sequel video: “what went wrong with Essendon in 2022”

[@michaelbiddle4101]

The Bombers story is always a very interesting one. Glad to see they're heading in the right direction

[@richardbehan8118]

This didn't age well.

[@memesgenerated3879]

@@richardbehan8118 about to say as well, I hate the fact that footy a2z put alot of effort into a video that is now irrelevant to what is currently unfolding.

[@TheTheTheTheTheThe]

Could not have aged worse

[@adriandevil7232]

Aged like milk

[@SammyGFC]

This is elite Lads ❤️❤️

[@FootyA2Z]

Thanks Sammy!

[@ajdynon]

Essendon supporter here, had too many disappointments to count us as contenders until we win a final. Also, we’ll only be able to “put the saga behind us” when the last person who remembers it dies.

[@ajdynon]

P.S. Remember, in most of the finals we’ve played since 2004, we weren’t just beaten, we were thrashed. We’re making up the numbers, not contending.

[@user-dj2xn]

Finally an Essendon supporter with common sense, your a very rare breed

[@dougieboxell6505]

@@ajdynon maybe, but there was the 2014 final against Norf where we fell so close, and even last year against the dogs, it was really only one quarter that cost us. What's more relevant though, regarding the video, is the future potential, which has come from great recruiting. Plus, I think A-Z's analysis of us being a way better side now than in 2012 is spot on.

[@ajdynon]

@@dougieboxell6505 I said “most”, not “all”. Maybe it’s just me having had the optimism beaten out of me by the past several years (not just regarding footy, but many other things as well)

[@lightsoda7445]

What a video, well explained as always. And might I say that 2016 draft haul was a clutch moment in hindsight, definition of playing with the cards you're dealt.

[@patrickhogarth4182]

Well done guys, this is absolutely amazing, you did a magnificent job. Thank you so much for putting it together (I especially love Hirdy's hair), I can't wait to see what you've got next in store.

[@FootyA2Z]

Thanks Patrick, happy to hear you enjoyed it. Best of luck defending your title this season and cheers for all the support mate

[@dougieboxell6505]

Great request, Patrick!!

[@dougieboxell6505]

@@FootyA2Z only criticism i could make would be not mentioning the top up players a bit more. Josh Kelly (who i think was traded over anyway), Matt Dea and Mitch Brown provided excellent service to our club, and Mitch Brown in particular deserves a solid mention for never giving up on his career.

[@williamchristopher5653]

Essendon are the only team in the comp that has been in exactly the same position for like 15 years. Middle of the table, stuck in the mud. No chance of a flag, no chance of wooden spoon. They are just irrelevant.

[@dougieboxell6505]

Loved the video guys, as always. Your animations are really cool, and the info is always very detailed and nuanced. Pumped to see a bombers one for a change, good on yas!!!

[@carltonbanks987]

So glad ur finally covering my team Essendon

[@James-fw5ew]

Lions 3 peat might be a dope vid but to be honest I’ll watch whatever you put out

[@mrcat3598]

Can’t wait for this video

[@MyOrton619]

Bombers picked Francis with the pick from the saints not parish

[@V99899]

Need more of these afl videos on KZbin. Not enough content of this quality, thanks mate

[@harrybaruhas5576]

Sad story, good video. great recovery for Bombers

[@XcondoX]

Well made video. Keep up the good content 👌

[@alexandroslolatgis9580]

Another great vid !

[@grim_dave]

Great video lads. Cheers Patrick.

[@olliej9332]

Great video! Would love to see a video about Sydney's rebuilding strategy. They picked up young talent and got games into them while they were still in the 8 and so only needed a few years down the bottom where they went all in on the draft before they're back contending again

[@depressedessendonfan5702]

The shuffle of the management in this club is what the big difference is. No matter what happens with their current list, the stuff inside the core of the club is substantially coming together. Compare that to say Carlton

[@Notusingmareelname]

I’d absolutely love for you guys to do a timeline of the lions from 2009 and making finals the first year under Voss through to today, would be a riveting watch.

[@ethanG0507]

Great video

[@DW-rs1pr]

I don't have the dollars atm to become a patreon member yet. But ill like every goddamn video no matter what the content cause i appreciate the grind. Plus its dope

[@-hobbit-9481]

Round 1: Essendon: We don't need to show up

[@Retratobot]

Nice video guys, very TIFOesque. In my opinion, Essendon started going downhill when they appointed Mathew Knights to coach after Sheedy. He killed the winning culture that was developed by Sheedy.

[@dougieboxell6505]

Hated Matthew Knights' use (or rather, disuse) of Matty Lloyd as a player.

[@dougieboxell6505]

FINALLY A VIDEO ON US!!

[@FootyA2Z]

Patreon Footy Tipping is Back for 2022! www.patreon.com/footya2z Hope you're all excited for the start of the AFL mens season as we are! In the spirit of round 1 excitement, we've set up another tipping contest for our beautiful patrons to play and there's plenty at stake, including the chance to commission a video of your choice. This year's prizes are: 1st - Merch + you get to pick a video topic and we'll make it 2nd - Limited edition Footy A2Z merch 3rd - Less expensive limited edition Footy A2Z merch Becoming a patron is the no.1 way you can support the channel, as it allows us dedicate more time to producing content. In return you'll receive early access and sneak peaks to videos, the chance to vote on topics throughout 2022 and of course the opportunity to join this year’s tipping league. Follow the link to sign up for as little as $2 per month to enter. Thanks for the support!

[@mrcat3598]

Hey your channel is sooo good. A segment that would be good is a video about the international series with Ireland. Maybe explaining the rules and the games that have been played

[@JosiahFox76]

hey footya2z i just wanna say, thanks for the great content! unreal effort! i also had a cheeky question, would you be willing to watch my video i made on my round one predictions, and share your thoughts on them? cheers!

[@Aarongla55]

elite vid guys, damn proud to be a bomber

[@bobleponge9150]

Cheers lads

[@FootyA2Z]

You're welcome Bob

[@XXXmar123]

9:15 "seeing the zach merrett". I see what you did there.

[@evaedw5362]

Great video, really well done. I was wondering if you could do a video on the basics of AFL umpiring? i know its a fairly broad topic, but I'm a new umpire and I have no idea what I'm doing! Your videos have helped a lot though, so thank you!

[@FootyA2Z]

Hey mate thanks for the kind words. Not sure if/when we would make a video on this but here's some quick tips! 1. Watch games - a great feature of coverage these days is the umpires being mic'd up. watch games and listen to their justification to help understand why free kicks are being paid. 2. Communicate with players - make your own justification when you make free kicks. you don't have to go into great detail but just saying "holding the ball, you tried to evade" instead of only saying "holding the ball" can make all the difference. 3. Be confident enough to pay free kicks - you're going to get some wrong and thats ok but getting the odd call wrong is better than putting the whistle away all match. Just make sure you're consistent and continue to justify. Not saying to go whistle crazy but if you see it, pay it. 4. Ask for help - Local umpires tend to be friendly people, don't be afraid to ask them for help!

[@kyalking1313]

The problem last name for a long time was them not having an actual leader behind the scenes multiple people were trying to take the lead, but there was no actual leader and Vozzo is doing a great job now phenomenal.

[@riley.holmes]

In a bombers supporter and I absolutely love this! only problem is it ends!

[@Chuckakhan]

Aaron Francis to take out the Coleman Brownlow double bet the farm on it

[@tigertalk3690]

Proceed to lose to Geelong by 65 points lol

[@nathanielmcphee2493]

This fucking aged well.

[@padzsc]

a great vid to make would be on how richmond were almosy voted out of the league. i think it was back in the 90s and the only team to agree to kick them out was north melbourne, which is quite ironic since there are rumours they are moving to tassie lol.

[@adrianbarichievich7756]

quite right

[@fourtwentyhellions7185]

This is my team yay

[@jj6392]

since when were they contenders?

[@chunksbechunking]

"the momentarily good Freo", some would take it as a slight but by god if they weren't the days of my life.

[@FootyA2Z]

ngl I let out a chuckle here

[@depressedessendonfan5702]

And worst for everyone else who was forced to watch their style of playing.

[@FootyA2Z]

@@depressedessendonfan5702 Fyfe was cool though

[@dougieboxell6505]

@@FootyA2Z could be a 3 time brownlow winner one day......imagine that 😳

[@dougieboxell6505]

Dennis Cometti gave what I thought was his best call ever in 2013 GF. After stuttering in the 1st qtr, and slightly clawing back in the 2nd, freo get their act together in the 3rd and we see contest after contest between the centre bounce and the wing, finally the ball going out of bounds after some serious heat from both sides. Dennis - "well look at this, we're at the football and a grand final emerged!" Classic Dennis timing. Was so hilarious 😂 i think 16 clubs were rooting pretty hard for freo that day

[@adrianbarichievich7756]

i find this hard to belive

[@bigal4109]

Gotta do a vid on hawthorns dominance from 2011-2015

[@dougieboxell6505]

I'd rather one for Hawthorn's entire existence VFL/AFL. Even tho I hate hawks more than c'wood (bombers fan here), I think it's fascinating that they were cellar dwellers for a good 30-35 years, and since, have won flags in every decade, and plenty of them. Probably fair to say one of the best teams in 3 of those decades too, if not the best (70s, 80s, 2010s).

[@SpecialTBK]

Since round 1. How does that all sound now?

[@starvision4233]

Videos that preceded disaster

[@kyalking1313]

The thing that bothers me most about the saga is Essendon players thought they were being injected with shit reported the club and then got in trouble for it. They were tested for years and never tested positive when the drug use apparently stays in your system for up to 5 years after the first use a few things that don’t add up aye!

[@grisssle]

aged well... 6,554

[@Santos.L.Halper.]

7,000 days. 2004 wow

[@skarloey7493]

Do a "what if" tom mitchell never broke his leg. Hawthorn had finished 4th the year before and had recently accquired chad wingard and scully and finished 9th without tom mitchell

[@fantasticfooty415]

4TH does the goat reply?

[@FootyA2Z]

4th the best-th?

[@arizansbergerstein1860]

Not aging well so far

[@arizansbergerstein1860]

continually sorse

[@kyalking1313]

I think it’s suss that all the people came from Geelong and then it was EFC that took the brunt of everything I recon it was the cats! Whoever it was I hope one day there found out.

[@kyrieeleison2879]

Well this is awkward.

[@AceRememberTheDude]

Contenders Again?

[@lachymiller]

Can you make a geelong one!

[@FootyA2Z]

Will have something down the track...

[@thinhnonyt]

whelp.

[@adrianbarichievich7756]

most of your info is Corrct and some not

[@stevenhogan3315]

What would the blues fans think of the bombers I wonder bombers will get to 17 premiership first I think by bombers boy

[@michaelp4915]

Think the correct term is pretenders after today’s insipid display against the cats

[@jacquesdelyons3516]

This video has not aged well...

[@bdawg3942]

Your club & Hirdy were scrutinised from the supplemental saga, regarding the injections off unknown substances. A few years later and world governments force their citizens too do the same., but never has the Australian government apologised. Talk about contradictions and I’m a kanga👍. You guys make the 8 with Sydney for my season bet👍

[@dougieboxell6505]

No one has been injected with unknown substances, unless you live in Frankston

[@bdawg3942]

🙄 Surely Nawt another Rona 🐑

[@declan8025]

i'm not paying $2 a month (No offence) but you should do a video on the 3 peat brisbane lions and hawks

[@FootyA2Z]

None taken! luckily there a plenty of free ways to support the channel, such as liking, commenting (as you have done!) and our dad's personal favourite, telling anyone who will listen about the channel! Anyways thanks for the suggestions :)

[@JayPav23]

Who is here after Bombers are 0-3 👀 finals bound still? (I know they played 3 finals 2021 teams)

[@klweth5439]

I love your vids but unfortunely trusting essendon aged like milk

[@AceRememberTheDude]

This aged well

[@npd6225]

Flagdons 2022

[@gnargnar1898]

🤣🤣🤣

[@baldkevindurant]

Maybe in a year or two (or three), I don’t think we are there yet, we had some really good games last year but we were inconsistent. I hope we can take the jump this year though like the Bulldogs and Sydney last year.

[@depressedessendonfan5702]

depth and physically bigger players, and some other teams having bad seasons and you are getting in the teriory of maybe.That maybe is a long way off

[@maynardszn]

Tell ‘im he’s dreamin!

[@adrianbarichievich7756]

only carlton stands on top we Carlton have won 16 prouldy and one of the reasons is that we have won all 16 flags from Grand finals and Essendon have no thet won 14 from Grand Finals as two were Round robin dont put Essescam in the same sentence for god sake We Hate Essscum we hate Esscum

[@skinnyjon327]

Contenders? HAHAHAHAHA

[@richardbehan8118]

Not one player tested positive to anything. The saga was a joke.

[@MrWhitmen1981]

Essendon will never win a premiership for a long time, the culture of the club is built and geared towards improving the image of its players welfare and care post saga. Over the actual ruthless in list management and coach needed to win number 17.

[@Philsta007]

Essendon have won TWO premierships in the AFL; 1993 and 2000. We need to stop counting VFL flags as AFL flags.

[@declanredden3158]

The VFL was renamed the AFL as more interstate teams joined, it was not a new competition, so VFL flags won before it was renamed the AFL count. 16 is 16, keep crying.

[@michaelbiddle4101]

As more teams are introduced, there's no reason to reset the accolades of older teams. But yes, take it into account when comparing. It's like how the Boston Celtics have 17 championships but there are 30 teams now (used to only be 8).

[@Philsta007]

@@declanredden3158 Nah, the VFL is a current competition so VFL premierships count, just not in the AFL.

[@Philsta007]

@@michaelbiddle4101 Yep, there were only 8 teams and there wasn't even a Grand Final when Essendon won their first premiership in 1897, so obviously you can't count that like a current AFL premiership.

[@arrgghh1555]

@@Philsta007 The VFL is just the renamed VFA

[@tonijoncevski8607]

You get a thumbs down for talking utter nonsense.

[@AceRememberTheDude]

This aged well

[@LDSports933]

This aged well