Essendon Football Club 2012

The Essendon Football Club was formed in 1872 and joined the VFL in 1897 as a foundation club of the league. Nicknamed the 'Bombers' they play their home matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and wear club colours of red and black.

Essendon have won a record 16 premierships (along with Carlton Football Club) and they have built a strong, powerful club with a very loyal fan base who support their team through the good times and the bad.

The legendary Kevin Sheedy coached Essendon for 27 consecutive years until leaving the club in 2007 when Matthew Knights took over the reins. Knights was replaced by club legend James Hird for the start of the 2011 AFL season.

Essendon in 2011
Essendon made the finals in their first year under James Hird and season ending injuries to Jason Winderlich and Courtenay Dempsey in round three didn't help the Bombers much at all.

Young defender Dyson Heppell won the 2011 NAB Rising Star Award in his first season, while Stewart Crameri was a revelation down forward.

Essendon 2011 Best and Fairest winner: David Zaharakis

David Zaharakis played every game for the Bombers and had 277 kicks and 195 handballs for a toal of 472 disposals for the season. He scored 31 goals and had 16 goal assists.