In the lead-up to Sunday’s clash against Essendon at the MCG, melbournefc.com.au looks back on some of the memorable moments between the two teams
1 - 1900 final: Melbourne wins its first final of the new century, defeating Essendon by two points at the Lake Oval, then advancing to the grand final and ultimately a premiership win over Fitzroy.
2 - 1940 preliminary final: In the annual report of this season, congratulations go to ‘Our opponents in the grand final, Richmond, and the other members of the four, Essendon (Yes, we were worried!), and Geelong …’ Despite this concern, the Demons triumph over Essendon in the preliminary final by five points, and overcome Richmond in the Grand Final to take out the 1940 flag.
3 - 1941 grand final: In a season ‘crowned with a success which left little doubt that your team richly deserved the pennant’, Melbourne defeats Essendon by 29 points in the Grand Final, Percy Beames starring with six goals, Norm Smith and Jack Mueller with three apiece, in the third win of the club’s flag hat-trick.
4 - 1948 grand final: When Don Cordner and Dick Reynolds meet for the grand final coin toss, Cordner quips that this is the last meeting between the two sides for the season. ‘Unless it’s a draw!’ replies Reynolds. Essendon kicks 7.27 and Melbourne misses last gasp chances in front of goal, resulting in the VFL’s first ever grand final draw.
5 - 1948 Grand final replay: Melbourne leads from very early on, leaving no doubt of their standing in this memorable season. Mueller continues to star, with six goals to his credit, helping Melbourne to a 39-point win and the club’s sixth VFL premiership.
6 - 1957 grand final: In attaining its second hat-trick of flags, Melbourne barrels gleefully through Essendon by 61 points, led by Ron Barassi with five goals and Ian Ridley with four - just two of those who excel amongst many starring characters.
7 - 1959 grand final: Seeking redemption after a horror loss to Collingwood in 1958, Melbourne dominates the season and puts the seal on it domination of the era, thumping Essendon by 37 points to secure its tenth VFL premiership.
8 - 1987 night grand final: Ruck-rover Bret Bailey becomes a hero, when he kicks the winning goal in the dying stages at Waverley Park, giving Melbourne a thrilling four-point win and its first night series/pre-season title since 1971. Skippered by Danny Hughes in the absence of the injured Robbie Flower, who is sidelined with a broken finger, Melbourne wins the last mid-season night series title, before it becomes a mid-season competition in 1988.
9 - Dean Bailey v Melbourne: In 53 matches for Essendon, Bailey plays against Melbourne three times, gaining two wins and one loss. His second VFL/AFL match is against the Dees in round 15, 1986. He kicks two goals in round 10, 1987, when Melbourne defeats Essendon at Windy Hill by 22 points. His last appearance against the Demons comes in round 22, 1989, prior to playing in Essendon’s three finals that year.
10 - Darren Bennett’s haul: The long-kicking full-forward (and future NFL star) is instrumental in Melbourne’s come-from-behind win in round 16, 1990. The Demons trail at every change and are down by 27 points at three quarter-time, before producing a stunning final term. Melbourne kicks 8.3 to 2.4, making it a memorable eight-point win. Goalsneak Ricky Jackson also stars with four goals. The win is just Melbourne’s fifth in 24 outings at Windy Hill since 1964.
11 - Allen Jakovich turns it on: In his first AFL final, Jakovich stars in the 1991 elimination final with eight goals - all in the second half. His effort helps Melbourne turn a 20-point half-time deficit into a 38-point win, after the Dees kick 13.6 to 4.2 following the main break. Jakovich’s inaugural season is stunning, as he boots a remarkable 71.54 from just 13 matches. He averages 5.46 goals and has 9.61 scoring shots per match.
12 - Jakovich does it again: The flamboyant full-forward has another day out against the Dons, booting 8.6 in round 12, 1993. His effort helps the Demons to a 34-point win - a fine win in an up-and-down season. Although Melbourne doesn’t make the finals that year, it records some impressive wins against quality opposition, including eventual premiers Essendon. In four matches against the Dons, Jakovich kicks 25 goals.
1 - 1900 final: Melbourne wins its first final of the new century, defeating Essendon by two points at the Lake Oval, then advancing to the grand final and ultimately a premiership win over Fitzroy.
2 - 1940 preliminary final: In the annual report of this season, congratulations go to ‘Our opponents in the grand final, Richmond, and the other members of the four, Essendon (Yes, we were worried!), and Geelong …’ Despite this concern, the Demons triumph over Essendon in the preliminary final by five points, and overcome Richmond in the Grand Final to take out the 1940 flag.
3 - 1941 grand final: In a season ‘crowned with a success which left little doubt that your team richly deserved the pennant’, Melbourne defeats Essendon by 29 points in the Grand Final, Percy Beames starring with six goals, Norm Smith and Jack Mueller with three apiece, in the third win of the club’s flag hat-trick.
4 - 1948 grand final: When Don Cordner and Dick Reynolds meet for the grand final coin toss, Cordner quips that this is the last meeting between the two sides for the season. ‘Unless it’s a draw!’ replies Reynolds. Essendon kicks 7.27 and Melbourne misses last gasp chances in front of goal, resulting in the VFL’s first ever grand final draw.
5 - 1948 Grand final replay: Melbourne leads from very early on, leaving no doubt of their standing in this memorable season. Mueller continues to star, with six goals to his credit, helping Melbourne to a 39-point win and the club’s sixth VFL premiership.
6 - 1957 grand final: In attaining its second hat-trick of flags, Melbourne barrels gleefully through Essendon by 61 points, led by Ron Barassi with five goals and Ian Ridley with four - just two of those who excel amongst many starring characters.
7 - 1959 grand final: Seeking redemption after a horror loss to Collingwood in 1958, Melbourne dominates the season and puts the seal on it domination of the era, thumping Essendon by 37 points to secure its tenth VFL premiership.
8 - 1987 night grand final: Ruck-rover Bret Bailey becomes a hero, when he kicks the winning goal in the dying stages at Waverley Park, giving Melbourne a thrilling four-point win and its first night series/pre-season title since 1971. Skippered by Danny Hughes in the absence of the injured Robbie Flower, who is sidelined with a broken finger, Melbourne wins the last mid-season night series title, before it becomes a mid-season competition in 1988.
9 - Dean Bailey v Melbourne: In 53 matches for Essendon, Bailey plays against Melbourne three times, gaining two wins and one loss. His second VFL/AFL match is against the Dees in round 15, 1986. He kicks two goals in round 10, 1987, when Melbourne defeats Essendon at Windy Hill by 22 points. His last appearance against the Demons comes in round 22, 1989, prior to playing in Essendon’s three finals that year.
10 - Darren Bennett’s haul: The long-kicking full-forward (and future NFL star) is instrumental in Melbourne’s come-from-behind win in round 16, 1990. The Demons trail at every change and are down by 27 points at three quarter-time, before producing a stunning final term. Melbourne kicks 8.3 to 2.4, making it a memorable eight-point win. Goalsneak Ricky Jackson also stars with four goals. The win is just Melbourne’s fifth in 24 outings at Windy Hill since 1964.
11 - Allen Jakovich turns it on: In his first AFL final, Jakovich stars in the 1991 elimination final with eight goals - all in the second half. His effort helps Melbourne turn a 20-point half-time deficit into a 38-point win, after the Dees kick 13.6 to 4.2 following the main break. Jakovich’s inaugural season is stunning, as he boots a remarkable 71.54 from just 13 matches. He averages 5.46 goals and has 9.61 scoring shots per match.
12 - Jakovich does it again: The flamboyant full-forward has another day out against the Dons, booting 8.6 in round 12, 1993. His effort helps the Demons to a 34-point win - a fine win in an up-and-down season. Although Melbourne doesn’t make the finals that year, it records some impressive wins against quality opposition, including eventual premiers Essendon. In four matches against the Dons, Jakovich kicks 25 goals.
