The Red & Black Project

Few players have traversed more of the country in pursuit of their AFL dream than West Australian-born Dale Kickett, who represented Fitzroy (15 games, 1990), West Coast (2, 1991), St Kilda (21, 1992), Essendon (8, 1994) and Fremantle (135, 1995-2002). A triple premiership player at WA club Claremont (1989, 1991, 1993), it was during Kickett's only season at Windy Hill where he won his only AFL premiership: the 1994 pre-season Foster's Cup. By then, he certainly knew how to perform in big gam...

Wingman Roger Hampson, Bomber number 772, had his playing career at Essendon cut short due to injury, managing just 10 games in three years (1969-71), but he did play in the 1968 reserves premiership side. He later returned to Essendon after the 1988 season, replacing Barry Capuano as general manager. During his seven years as GM, Hampson was involved in many significant events, including the move from Windy Hill to the MCG, the 1990 and 1993 Grand Finals, and, of course, working alongside le...

Bomber number 701, Graham Leydin, recalls his 35-game career at Windy Hill (1959-61 & 1964), where he won an under-19s best and fairest (1958) and was a member of Essendon's 1959 Grand Final side which lost to Melbourne. Also his successful cricket career, which saw him play matches against touring nations, England and South Africa. This podcast is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddybooks.com. Go Bombers!

In this episode, Bomber number 808, Ron Andrews, a man with one of the most notorious reputations in VFL/AFL history (he was suspended for a total of 24 weeks during his 12-year career), reveals insights that he's never shared before, including his mental and physical battles after that career-altering knee injury in 1978 and his devastation at missing out on Essendon's 1983 Grand Final side. If you thought you knew 'Rugged' or 'Rotten' Ronnie Andrews, nicknames bestowed upon him by the media...

West Australian rover, Wayne Otway, Bomber number 889, was 25 years young when he played his first game for the Bombers in round 1, 1982. Two hours later, having amassed 28 disposals and kicked five goals, the Essendon supporters had a new hero to cheer for. If not for injuries, Otway may well have been roving in the back-to-back premierships of 1984-85, however, it was not to be and after just 36 games (and 65 goals) he returned to WA at the end of 1983 to play again with his original club, ...

At 95 years young, Ray Martini, Bomber number 629, is Essendon's oldest living player, having played 13 games between 1950-52; an achievement in itself given Martini's time at Windy Hill coincided with the finest era in the club's VFL/AFL history. Martini played alongside Dick Reynolds, John Coleman and Bill Hutchison—all Legends of the Australian Football Hall of Fame—and was a member of the 1950 and 1952 reserves premiership teams. He then played one year at Carlton (7 games, 1953) but, as ...

Over two stints at Essendon, John Barnes, Bomber number 928, certainly left his imprint on the fabric of the Essendon Football Club. When the Bombers took all before them in 2000, Barnes was a vital ingredient in the tight bond shared by the premiership team. In his first period at Windy Hill, Barnes managed just 12 games across four seasons (1987-90), before he was traded to Geelong for Sean Denham. At the Cattery, Barnes' athletisicm and endurance came to the fore as he helped drive the tea...

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 652, Greg Sewell, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. Sewell played 171 games in red and black (1952-61) and was a member of the club's 1952 reserves premiership side. He kicked four goals in the 1959 VFL Grand Final loss to Melbourne. He then coached the reserves to a premiership (1968), filled in for John Coleman as senior coach for...

One of Essendon's most popular players of all-time, Leon Baker will forever be remembered for his two sensational last-quarter goals in the 1984 Grand Final, which helped the Bombers to break a 19-year premiership drought. He was a star again the following year, when Essendon went back-to-back in dominant fashion with a 78-point win over Hawthorn. Baker played 86 games and kicked 70 goals in the No. 4 guernsey, was twice runner-up in the Crichton Medal, All-Australian, and represented Western...

As football manager from 1997-2002, Matthew Drain played a vital role in the running of the Essendon Football Club during its most recent premiership era. Whether sitting alongside Kevin Sheedy in the coach's box, running messages during games, or dealing with any off-field issues, Drain experienced everything during his time in football, which included stints with the West Coast Eagles, Sydney Swans, the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Port Adelaide. Here, he shares some fascinating insights ...

In the second episode of my two-part chat with legendary recruiter, Noel Judkins, he explains some of the key draft moves that helped set Essendon up for two more premierships in 1993 and 2000. Judkins also reveals why he left the Bombers in 1997, his key role in helping rebuild a battling Collingwood, and he shares his views on the current recruiting team at The Hangar. This podcast is proudly brought to you by Dan Eddy Books, the Essendonians, and the Essendon Past Players & Officials A...

In part one of this extended two-part special with legendary recruiter, Noel Judkins, we discuss Noel's arrival at Windy Hill and his early years working alongside Kevin Sheedy as the Bombers built towards the 1984-85 premierships. This episode of the Red & Black Project Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dan Eddy Books, the Essendonians, and the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association. Go Bombers!

Hear from Bomber #783, Ken Roberts, as he recalls his time at Windy Hill during the 1970s. A tough, versatile player, Roberts played 100 games and kicked 111 goals between 1970-77, where under four coaches he played at half-forward, full-forward and in the middle, proving a standout in each position. And he was right there amongst the action during the infamous Windy Hill Brawl, too! He also played 12 games for Melbourne (1978-79). This episode of The Red & Black Project Podcast is ...

Bomber #958 Brad Fox recalls his time growing up in Western Australia, his recruitment to Essendon as a high draft pick (12th overall in the 1988 National Draft), his years at Windy Hill which included the 1992 reserves premiership, his brief stint at Richmond, then his long involvement in the game over the past three decades. This episode of the Red & Black Project Podcast is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddyboo...

Today, we'd refer to Steve Copping as a "mature age" recruit: he was 25 when he ran out for the first time with Essendon in round 1, 1982. In fact, Copping was as shocked as anyone when Kevin Sheedy and Noel Judkins knocked on his door midway through 1981 and asked him to leave South Australia and move to Melbourne to be part of the rising Bombers. After a fine career with Glenelg, Copping played 42 games with Essendon (1982-84) and kicked 88 goals playing alongside the likes of Roger Merrett...

Bomber number 716, Russell Blew, was a star wingman during the 1960s, a decade that saw Essendon play off in three Grand Finals. He was a key player in the 1962 & 1965 premiership victories, and he narrowly missed a third flag in 1968 when the Bombers fell three points short of Carlton in the Grand Final. Blew finished runner-up to Ken Fraser in the 1964 Crichton Medal count, a year when he represented Victoria in State footy. A former captain of the under-19s, Blew was entering his...

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 led the Bombers' goalkicking in 1985. In his 206 games (1984-97), he played at both ends of the ground and is widely reco...

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 in various positions across the field. In 129 games (1996-2002), Blumfield kicked 86 goals, won the ...

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 40 years. This podcast is proudly brought to you by daneddybooks.com, the Essendonians, the EFC...

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 awestruck as he departed, just weeks after winning the 1976 Brownlow Medal; the first West Australian-born player to claim f...