For every player elevated from the reserves or the fringes of the squad to play in a Grand Final, there is often the flip side of the coin, the player who has been dropped to make way.
As one dream comes true, another one sours.
West Australian rover Tony ‘Budgie’ Buhagiar, came to Windy Hill in 1981. ‘Budgie’ had three seasons under his belt and had played in 69 of a possible 72 games before the start of 1984.
Like Rene Kink, he had also played in the 1983 losing Grand Final and was hoping to make amends in 1984. Budgie missed nine games mid-season through injury returning in Round 19 and desperate to play in his second Grand Final.
It wasn’t to be. Promised by his coach Kevin Sheedy that he would play if it rained, ‘Budgie’ had to watch in frustration as Melbourne’s grey skies threatened but didn’t open.
Buhagiar missed out in Essendon’s drought-breaking 1984 premiership and had played his last game for the Bombers.
He played one season with Footscray before returning to East Fremantle in his home state.
You can learn more about every Essendon player and every club game played in the 'history' section on essendonfc.com.au.
