There is no doubt the Bombers' premiership side of season 2000 ranks among the best collection of players this club has ever put together. The side has also started season 2001 in fine fashion winning seven of its opening eight games and is hopeful of developing that further to firmly establish this as one of the great eras in football history. But how do you compare eras? Some will say the Bombers of the early 80s was the greatest era this club has ever produced. Others will claim the best the Bombers have ever seen was in the late 40s and early 50s. Statistically this current crop of Essendon players is right up there.

Should the Bombers manage to defeat Hawthorn this Saturday night, Essendon will have won 50 of its past 56 matches. The best record this club has ever boasted in terms of games taken to chalk up 50 wins.

The Bombers side of the early 80s chalked up 50 wins but took 62 games to achieve the feat. In 1983 it won 9 of its last 13, in 1984 it won 20 of its 25 games and in 1985 it got the points in 21 of the 24 games it played.

From 1949 until 1951 the Bombers won 50 of its 63 matches. In 1949 the Bombers won 16 of 22. In 1950 they won 19 out of 20 and in 1951 the Bombers won 15 of their 21 matches.

Based on these nmubers the current crop of Bombers are certainly up their with the best this club has ever produced. However most would agree that premierships are probably the real measure of a side's greatness and in this regard the current crop still have plenty to do.

SOME other facts and figure relating to this weekend's clash with Hawthorn:

Since 1981 Kevin Sheedy has coached against Hawthorn on 39 occasions. The Bombers have won 20 and lost 19.

In round 14, 1981, Essendon and Hawthorn played the first league match at the Gabba. The Bombers won by 18 points and Simon Madden kicked seven goals.

In round 8 1983, Hawthorn won and Robert Dipierdomenico clobbered Alan Stoneham. On World of Sport the next day Dipper proclaimed ""We love playing Essendon"".

Round 18 of 1983 was the return clash and eEssendon played brilliantly to win by 46 points. Alan Ezard made his debut and Terry Daniher kicked seven goals. There were signs all over the rooms reminding the players of Dippers' comments after the last time they played.

Between 1983 and 1985, Essendon and Hawthorn played in three consecutive Grand Finals - it is the only time in VFL / AFL history that this has happened.