Some Essendon players were given the chance to freshen up phyisically and mentally during the recent split round - others were sent back to the VFL in search of their best form. The ""week off"" is nothing new in AFL / VFL football and it has been a part of the football fixture for much of the game's history. Whether it has been a positive or a negative remains the subject of much discussion but in days gone by it was anything but an excuse for players to put their feet up.

Usually the mid-season break was allowed for so that the State-of-Origin carnival could be played. At other stages the bye has been compulsory because of the number of sides participating in the competition. Either way the break has been anything but a holiday - either the full squad or those not on State duties would play exhibition matches.

The venues and opposition has been many and varied for Essendon. In 1993 Essendon played the Port Adelaide Magpies in Adelaide and in 1963 the Bombers travelled to Launceston to take on the Northern Tasmanian Football Association. In 1966 Essendon played Hawthorn in Sydney, five years earlier it was the Western Australian B-side in Perth and in 1949 it was Carlton in Brisbane.

Exactly 100 years ago Essendon was touring around Tasmaina during a mid-season break to spread the Bombers' message. In 1902 the reigning premiers played three games in the Apple Isle. The squad included George Collins, Albert Thurgood, Hugh Gavin and Jack McKenzie. On August 9 at the TCA Ground the Bombers lost to Southern Tasmania by one point. Two days later at the same venue Essendon turned the result around winning by 37-points with the brilliant Thurgood kicking six goals. Essendon finished its tour with a 43-point win over the North West Coast at Burnie.