Essendon and Brisbane have been going at each other for almost 30 years.

The Bears were formed in 1987 but struggled to gain traction and success as the VFL began its transition to the AFL.

As the competition’s first push into the Queensland market struggled, the Bombers were attempting to secure their third premiership of the decade.

Later, the two sides met in a thrilling qualifying final in 1996 that ended in a one point win to Brisbane. 

Then, when the Bears became the Lions, Essendon’s hopes of turning the success of 2000 into a dynasty were dashed, as Brisbane snatched the mantle as the dominant team of the early 21^st century.

Today, both clubs are trying to return to the heights of past eras.

But, it’s worth remembering the role the Bombers played in the birth of the Brisbane Bears (turned Lions).

It was 1986 when the VFL Commission unveiled its plans to establish teams in Perth and Brisbane.

The license for the Brisbane based franchise was awarded to businessman Christopher Skase.

“He was one of the best runners this country has ever seen,” former Essendon Coach Kevin Sheedy said of the man Australian authorities pursued for a decade after the failure of his business.

“He was extremely elusive.”

To give the Bears the best chance of early success, the VFL asked each club to provide at least two players.

Some clubs lost more than others and Essendon was one team to pay a big price.

“Essendon cleared seven players, three of which had played in Premierships,” Sheedy said.

“Carlton cleared two marshmallows.”

Geoff Raines, Roger Merrett (1988), Mike Richardson, Brenton Phillips, Peter Banfield, Chris Waterson and Frank Dunell all headed north.

“I was keen to stay on, in one respect and it was difficult to leave such a great club but the opportunity was too great to pass up,” Dunell said.

The 1984 Premiership player hailed from Queensland so the lure to return home was strong.

“I knew it would be very difficult given a number of players were coming from different clubs and states,” Dunell said.

“None of the coaching staff had previous coaching experience and the club had chosen Carrara on the Gold Coast as the playing arena which basically alienated the Brisbane audience.

“If I can remember correctly we trained at 13 different venues that year as we found it very difficult finding a surface that wasn't like running on concrete.”

At the end of that first season, the Bears signed two-time Essendon premiership player, Roger Merrett.

The tough, uncompromising big man was one of the Bears most decorated players.

He captained the club for seven seasons and was its leading goal kicker three times.

“Losing Merrett and Raines cost us a premiership in 1989 and 1990,” Sheedy said.

“We should never forget that.”

Under Sheedy, the Bombers had travelled across the country throughout the 1980’s promoting the game and the club.

“Essendon should be very proud of the players they let go.  Unlike most other clubs we were very good contributors.”

Sheedy is not only proud of the impact those players had at the Bears, but also the contribution they made to football after their playing days.

“Many of the guys that went up there became excellent coaches and guided the next generation of footballers in all different levels, right across the country.”

Essendon remained a force despite the departures.

The Club finished third in 1989, runner-up in 1990 and won the premiership in 1993.

“For Essendon to once again challenge so quickly was a wonderful performance by ‘Sheeds’ and reinforced how good a coach he really was,” Dunell said.

The Bombers would be bitten once again by the birth of a new club when Port Adelaide joined the competition in 1997 and Brownlow medal winner Gavin Wanganeen headed over to become their inaugural Captain. 

The departures of Merrett and Raines, and then later on, the exit of Wanganeen still causes heartache and frustration for Essendon fans, as well as Sheedy.

The question of what might have been can never be fully answered, but when the Bombers take on the Lions, supporters shouldn’t forget the helping hand the Dons gave their northern rival.

It’s unlikely the mood at Etihad Stadium of Sunday when Essendon host Brisbane will be so generous.