The Bombers’ match in Brisbane will be only the fourth time since 1982 the team has kicked off a season interstate. The other years were 1983 against Sydney (one-point loss), 1989 (16-point win) and 1993 (three-point loss) against West Coast.
It is only the second time in 50 years Essendon will be playing the reigning premiers first up. Once again the other occasion was the 1993 Round 1 clash against West Coast. Darren Bewick kicked eight goals in that match.
In the Kevin Sheedy era - since 1981 - Essendon has won 16 out of 21 first round clashes with 1991 being a bye in a 15-team competition. Essendon has won eight of its past nine first-round matches. The best run under Sheedy was between 1984 and 1990 when Essendon won seven first round matches on end. There were some tight games during that time. In 1994 Essendon scraped home by three points against West Coast at the MCG with Paul Salmon kicking the winning goal.
In 1973 the Bombers suffered a two-point Round 1 loss to Richmond at Windy Hill. And who do you think kicked the winning goal for the Tigers? You guessed it, none other than Kevin Sheedy.
What will the start to 2003 bring?
