Despite a slow start to the year with one win in the first five rounds, Essendon finished on top ahead of Carlton, by only 1.5 per cent.

The Bombers experienced a close call in the preliminary final when they overcame a 42-point deficit at half-time against Adelaide and went into the Grand Final against the Blues as underdogs.

But Essendon stunned its fierce rival, leading at every turn and increasing the margin as the game went on.

The Bombers won by 44 points, with Paul Salmon booting five majors.

The 1993 premiership cup. (Photo: Essendon FC)

Essendon   5.8  10.9  16.11  20.13 (133)
Carlton    1.2  5.2  10.5  13.11 (89)

Best: Long, Mercuri, O'Donnell, Salmon, Thompson, Harvey

Goals: Salmon 5, Mercuri 3, Hird 2, Long 2, Harvey, Wanganeen, C. Daniher, Bewick, Wallis, Misiti, Denham, Calthorpe

Norm Smith Medal: Michael Long

Michael Long reached ultimate heights in the 1993 AFL Grand Final.

Team

B: Gavin Wanganeen, Dustin Fletcher, Dean Wallis

HB: David Grenvold, Mark Harvey, Mark Thompson

C: Ricky Olarenshaw, Sean Denham, Paul Hills

HF: Mark Mercuri, James Hird, Joe Misiti

F: Tim Watson, Paul Salmon, Michael Long

R: Peter Somerville, Gary O'Donnell, Darren Bewick

I: Chris Daniher, David Calthorpe

Coach: Kevin Sheedy

Captain: Mark Thompson

Average age: 24

Average games: 86

Honours

Best and fairest: Gary O'Donnell

Leading goalkicker: Paul Salmon (65)

Brownlow Medal: Gavin Wanganeen

All Australian: Gavin Wanganeen, Mark Harvey, Kevin Sheedy (coach)