Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Red & Black Project

With over 100 years of experience, collectively, working at the Essendon Football Club, much loved trainers Charlie Italia, Murray Spargo and Rob Destradi have a catalogue of fascinating stories to share from their decades spent helping players and coaches strive for success. In this special podcast, the three life members reveal plenty of new insights into what has made the club tick for the past 40 years.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by daneddybooks.com, the Essendonians, the EFC Past Players & Officials Association, and the EFC.

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 803, Graham Moss, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. Few players in VFL/AFL history have had a bigger impact over a four-year span than Moss, who, like a shooting star, burst on the scene in 1973 then left spectators awestruck as he departed, just weeks after winning the 1976 Brownlow Medal; the first West Australian-born player to claim football's highest individual award. 
In all, Moss played 84 games for the Bombers—the first of which he recorded 26 disposals and took 13 marks in the best Essendon debut since John Coleman, who, tragically, died just two days before Moss's first game—and he won three Crichton Medals (1974-76). He was Essendon captain in 1976. However, at 26 and in the prime years of his football career, Moss accepted an offer to captain-coach his former club, Claremont, in 1977. In the next four seasons at the Tigers, he won four consecutive B&Fs. 
In 2002, Moss—one of the greatest ruckmen the game has ever seen—was selected at No. 13 in the top 25 'Champions of Essendon', then was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2012. He was an inaugural member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame (1996) and is a Legend of the West Australian Football Hall of Fame (2006).

Bomber number 736, Kevin Egan, has pretty much done it all at Essendon. Premiership player (1965), numerous off-field roles including being Kevin Sheedy's right-hand man during the 1980s, and later on the board when the momentous decision was made to end Sheedy's tenure. In 2015, Egan was rightfully inducted into the club's Hall of Fame. In this episode, he reflects on a remarkable life in football, which included a stint at the Sydney Swans during what proved a turning point in that club's history.
The Red & Black Project Podcast is proudly supported by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddybooks.com. 

You may not recognise him in the street, but you certainly know his work and have likely sung his song on many an occasion. Kevin Andrews is the man who penned the most famous of songs, the Essendon theme song (he even sings it for me in this episode!). Having been forced to endure a troubled and nomadic childhood, Andrews came under the influence of Bombers Hugh Mitchell and Jeff Gamble, and it was at Gamble's parents' home - 13 Grandview Road, Niddrie - where the famous song was penned on a notepad in the late-1950s.
His connection to Essendon went further than that. In 1985, Andrews was goal umpire for the VFL Grand Final, signalling many a goal during the Bombers' thrashing of Hawthorn.  
This podcast is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians & the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association.

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 820, Simon Madden, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. One of Essendon's, and the game's, greatest ruckmen—some say THE greatest—Madden won four Crichton Medals (1977, 1979, 1983-84), was selected in six VFL Teams of the Year, was a triple Essendon leading goalkicker (1980, 1982, 1991) with a career total of 575 goals, was Bombers skipper (1980-81), a regular Victorian representative, won two premierships (1984-85) from four Grand Final appearances, and, in one of the most dominant Grand Final performances of all-time, won the 1985 Norm Smith Medal. His 378 games in red and black was a club record for more than two decades, before eclipsed by Dustin Fletcher (400 games). Madden is a Legend of the Essendon Football Club, was selected at No. 5 in the Champions of Essendon, is ruckman of the Bombers' Team of the Century, and is a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame. On top of all that, he's a great storyteller (most of it true!).

As one of just 25 men in 152 years to have held the title of president/chairman of the Essendon Football Club, Neil McKissock is in select company. As the 19th president of the Bombers (2004-06), McKissock, a life-long supporter of the club who grew up idolising John Coleman and Bill Hutchison, oversaw a changing of the guard at Bomberland as the club struggled to replicate the on-field successes of the 1980s, '90s and early-2000s. As a member of the Essendon board since the late-1990s, McKissock drew on his business career in the finance sector to help grow the Essendon Football Club from a suburban footy club engulfed in a crippling salary cap drama into one of the most powerful and recognisable sporting organisations in Australia. 
In this interview, McKissock provides a fascinating insight into what's involved in running an AFL club in the 21st century.  

A member of Essendon's famed Baby Bombers, David Calthorpe reflects with raw honesty and openness on his 92-game career at Windy Hill (1992-98), which included the 1994 pre-season premiership, an EJ Whitten Medal as best Victorian State of Origin player, and of course, that famous 1993 flag alongside a number of his childhood mates from in and around the East Keilor area of Melbourne's northern suburbs. Calthorpe—a tagger, and one of the best endurance runners at the club—walked out on the Bombers after 1998 and joined the Leigh Matthews-coached Brisbane Lions for 1999 (nine games), before playing one final season at North Melbourne in 2000 (13 games). He later returned to Essendon in off-field roles alongside then coach, Matthew Knights, where, as Calthorpe reveals, the ending left a bitter taste in his mouth.    

Former West Australian recruit, Colin Hebbard, reminisces about his 85-game career at Windy Hill (1957-61), which coincided with two Grand Final appearances in 1957 and 1959 - both losses to Melbourne - under legendary coach Dick Reynolds.  A versatile player, Hebbard was equally at home on a half-back or half-forward flank, and also spent time in the centre where he played alongside the likes of Bill Hutchison, Jack Clarke, Ian Shelton and Ken Fraser. Returning home to West Perth at the tender age of 25, Hebbard represented WA in State football and later became Essendon's WA-based recruiter (1970s-90s), helping to secure the signatures of notable fan favourites Bill Duckworth, Tony Buhagiar, Graham Moss and Leon Baker. 
He is a life member of the Essendon Football Club.

From his hometown of Perth in Western Australia, Tony 'The Budgie' Buhagiar reflects on his four seasons at Windy Hill (1981-84), which coincided with the rise of the Bombers under Kevin Sheedy. Buhagiar burst onto the VFL scene after a successful career with East Fremantle (1973-80), which included two premierships. Wearing the number 20 red and black guernsey, the diminiative rover became a fan favourite at Essendon and was a member of the club's losing 1983 Grand Final against Hawthorn. The following year, he was dropped for the Grand Final, after playing in the preliminary final, and never played another game for the club. There was one final season with Footscray (1985), before he returned to WA and later served on the board of the Fremantle Dockers (2000-09).

A product of Essendon's fruitful Wimmera recruiting zone during the 1970s, Russell Ellen played 35 games for the Bombers (1973-77). His time at Windy Hill coincided with the careers of champion ruckman, Graham Moss, and an emerging Simon Madden, meaning Ellen, a tall, lanky ruckman himself, was in and out of the senior team. He went on to play 108 games at West Perth in Western Australia, before a successful business career took him to all corners of the globe. Now based permanently back in WA, Ellen—along with a number of former Bomber players—help run the WA Bombers supporter group, one of the largest Essendon supporter bases outside of Victoria. 

Enjoy a laugh with Bomber number 888, Bill Duckworth, one of Essendon's most popular players and funniest storytellers, as he reminisces about his 126 games in red and black (1982-90), which included 64 goals, two premierships (1984-85) and the 1984 Norm Smith Medal. The West Australian also represented his home state in State of Origin football (1987), then, after returning to WA, won a stunning 11 premierships with amateur club, North Beach: one as a player and 10 as coach.

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 936, Gary O'Donnell, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. One of Essendon's finest servants, O'Donnell toiled away in the under-19s and reserves for years before earning a senior game, and from there he never looked back. He won the Crichton Medal in a premiership year (1993), a Michael Tuck Medal for best player in the 1994 pre-season Grand Final, represented Victoria nine times, and also captained the Bombers (1996-97). Adding to his impressive resume, O'Donnell coached the Dons for one game (2006) when Kevin Sheedy was unavailable—a draw with Carlton. 

Relive Dan Eddy's 2019 chat with Bomber number 696, Alec Epis, which originally aired on Essendon's 'Fabric of the Essendon Football Club' podcast series celebrating the club's 150-year anniversary in 2022. Dubbed 'The Kookaburra' because he loved a chat - on and off the field! - Epis, recruited from Western Australia, is one of the Bombers' finest contributors.  He played 180 games (1958-68) and won two premierships (1962 & 1965), starring alongside Ian 'Bluey' Shelton and Barry Davis on one of the strongest half-back lines in football history. He later served on the club's committee and, for many years, mentored up-and-coming players including goalkicking great, Matthew Lloyd.

Bomber #725, Charlie Payne, reflects on his 184-game career in red & black (1962-72), which included the 1962 & 1965 premierships. Such was Payne's popularity with the Essendon faithful, he even had a song penned in his honour!

AFL journeyman, Tony Delaney, Bomber #976, discusses his 15-game career in red and black (1993-94), plus being a member of Fremantle's inaugural side (1995-99, 28 games) and his final stint with St Kilda (2000-01, 33 games). Tony also talks about the rewarding work he does today with Indigenous youth in Western Australia.

Bomber number 989, Michael Prior, reflects on his childhood in Western Australia, the expectations of being the No. 3 overall pick in the 1992 AFL draft, his 90-game career at Essendon (1993-2000) and the West Coast Eagles (2001-02) and, more recently, his time as coach of the Eagles' AFLW team.

Bomber number 1011, Simon Eastaugh, discusses his time at Essendon (1998-2000) which coincided with a golden era for the club & included selection in the famous 1998 'Marshmallow' game & the victorious 1999 reserves Grand Final side. Limited to just 17 senior games in the red & black, the hard-working ruckman joined Fremantle (2001-02, 12 games) where he continues to work with Dockers today.

Apologies if some of the audio sounds muffled, owing to a bad phone line. 

Bomber number 798, Laurie Moloney, discusses his upbringing in South Gippsland, being part of a famous premiership with Leongatha FNC (1970), then his 80-game career in red & black (1971-76).

Former captain and dual premiership player, Don McKenzie, recalls his 266-game career at Essendon, where he defied an early knock-back to become one of the club's finest ruckmen and servants. Don also discusses his leading role in the league-altering player strike, in 1970, that saw him stripped of the captaincy but helped set in motion the establishment of the AFL Players' Association.

Bomber No. 660, Hugh Mitchell, Essendon's oldest surviving premiership player, reflects on his childhood as a passionate supporter of the club where he later played 224 games (1953-67), won two premierships (1962 & 1965), was a three-time leading goalkicker (1955, 1961 & 1964), became a life member and, in 2012, was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

Bomber number 870, Alan Stoneham, discusses his time at Footscray (1972-79) before crossing to Windy Hill in 1980. During a 72-game career in red and black (1980-83), that included captaining the '83 reserves premiership side, Stoneham suffered a severe head knock against Hawthorn, the beginning of ongoing brain-related issues he has faced since that day. In a raw and honest account of some of the highs and devastating lows that he and wife Julie have experienced in their lives, Stoneham also recounts some of the more enjoyable moments from his time with the Bombers.    

Bomber number 756, Peter Daniel, discusses his 100-game career at Essendon (1968-74) and his Hall of Fame career in Tasmania, and also reveals a never-told-before story of the time he stood up to EFC president, Allan Hird, while seeking greater rights and conditions for players.
(Apologies for any audio issues)

Bomber number 766, David Collins, president of the Essendon Football Club Past Players & Officials Association, discusses his 14-game career at the Bombers (1969-70), plus his post-playing days working alongside Kevin Sheedy in the coach's box.

Bomber number 817, Garry Foulds, discusses his 300-game career at Essendon (1974-89), including those famous premierships in 1984-85.

Bomber number 918, David Flood, recalls his time at Essendon (1986-95), including being left out of the 1993 Grand Final side.

Les Ford, a passionate & paid-up Bomber member since the John Coleman era, shares his stories from a remarkable nine decades dedicated to supporting the Essendon Football Club.

Bomber number 841, Colin Boyd, recalls his time at Essendon (1977-79).

Bomber number 834, Geoff Burdett, recalls his time at Essendon (1976-78 and 1981).