Essendon is into its first pre-season grand final since 1994 after it blew Melbourne away with a blistering first half in its Ansett Cup Grand Final at Waverley on Saturday night.
Essendon kicked 11 goals to Melbourne's four in the opening half and the match was virtually over when that margin ballooned to 55-points early in the third quarter.
The star for the Bombers was Matthew Lloyd who booted seven goals for the game to take his 2000 Ansett Cup tally to 17 in three games.
But the best news to come out of the match was the return of skipper James Hird.
Hird played almost the entire first half of the match and showed he had lost none of his class kicking two goals.
His second goal had Essendon fans in raptures. He collected the ball about 30m out from goal, twisted and tunred out of trouble and sent a right foot snap sailing through the middle.
It was evidence that Hird will return this year bigger and better than ever. There was further good news from the medical staff yesterday morning with news Hird had pulled up well from his first official match since round two last year.
In winning, the Bombers set up a grand final showdown with reigning premiers the Kangaroos who comfortably accounted for Carlton in the other semi-final.
Once again the Bombers set up the win with a devastating performance in the midfield. Joe Misiti was again superb getting plenty of the football.
Sean Denham is also showing the benefits of being able to do his first full pre-season for some time and he again played a significant role in the Bombers victory.
The 1997 Crichton Medallist was in the thick of the action from the first bounce, giving his side plenty of drive from the centre bounce.
Steve Alessio also pleased, kicking two goals and working well at both ends of the ground.
The other star for the Bombers was Dean Solomon who has been in excellent form across the half-back line.
The only downside for the Bombers was a hamstring injury to Michael Prior early in the match.
The injury is expected to sideline Prior for one to two weeks.
Essendon however could regain Scott Lucas (quadricep) this week although he is almost certain to resume in the reserves.
Ilija Grigic remains sidelined with a back injury while gary Moorcroft is expected to be fit after slightly injuring his ankle in last Saturday's reserves match.
Essendon trains at Essendon Grammar today and Wednesday with both sessions starting at 4.00pm.
