Our Ninth Flag
The year 1949 saw the introduction of John Coleman as spearhead for the team
and he started off in sensational form by kicking 12 goals in his first game against Hawthorn, going on to kick 100 goals in his first season.
The Bombers beat Collingwood in the First Semi Final 20.16.136 to 8.6.54 and then beat North Melbourne in a tough Preliminary Final 11.12.78 to 9.7.61, proceeding to the Grand Final against Carlton. The team were too strong for Carlton, winning 18.17.125 to 6.16.52. before a crowd of 90,453. The 73 point win was the highest winning margin in a Grand Final to that time.
The players tried desperately to ensure that John kicked his 100 goals, and the position became humorous when Leehane marked near goal and deliberately ran up-field to hit Coleman with a pass, for his 98th goal. Then Gordon Lane shot the ball to Coleman who marked and kicked surely. Dick Reynolds gave him the one hundredth when he put a low pass onto his chest.
Best players for Essendon were: Bob McClure, Norm McDonald, Bill Hutchison, Ron McEwin, Harold Lambert, Wally May, Bill Brittingham, Jack Jones and John Coleman, who kicked 6 goals to bring up his 100 for the season.
