Many Essendon supporters whige and moan about our cheer squad... "they aren't loud... they're crap..." etc.
But a select few make themselves hoarse every week... "The Grog Squad". Standing behind the goals each week the grog squad try to bring a little excitement and colour back into the modern game.
I'm often down with the boys and girls yelling myself into headaches... this video is from the Round 2 loss to Carlton, one of the 6 big goals to Scotty Lucas. The chant after his 50 metre goal is "Soooopa Sooopa Scott...(repeat)... Soopa Scotty Lucas".
2005 Essendon TV Advertisement - EXCLUSIVE
In may of 2005 Essendon will launch a new TV campaign. Uncy Herb was there at the filming and managed to sneak a couple of shots. When the ad is launched keep an eye out for a cameo from Uncy!
In the change rooms at the Dome, ready for filming the new advertisement.
A shot of some of the props and scenery for the ad.
A couple of the stars of the ad.
During filming.
A few more of the lucky bomber fans used in the commercial.
The set designed to reflect the idea of 'the fans change room'.
Filimg went from 8am through to after 5pm on Thursday 24th of March.
One of the club's older members teaches the kids the theme song during the ad.
A mystery bomber appears during the ad.
Make sure you keep an eye on the telly during may when the first run of the ad is due. If you haven't seen it by the time the Dons play Freo it will be run during the telecast, so set your VCR then!
Pre-season training 2005
The lead-up to the 2005 season is well underway and the Dons are back into training, with Uncy Herb heading down to get a look at who's bulked up, who's still getting over the post-season visit to surgery and who's looking the goods for a top year...
Sam Hunt beats James Hird in a one-on-one contest (unbelievable but true!)
James Hird shows the ability to do the freaky is still there!
Mark McVeigh looking pumped...
but maybe not as much as MJ who is seriously stacked heading into 2005.
Dean Solomon showing that he's not 100% just yet... carrying a splint on his right hand, most likely to do with surgery on his thumb.
Bombers V Aussies
The bombers took on the Aussies in a game of hit and giggle cricket out at Windy Hill, with Uncy Herb there amoung 8,000 other sports mad Melbournites!
Dizzy clean bowls Stanton.
James Hird spanking a big, straight six of the world's highest wicket taker: Shane Warne.
Hird slides himself safe in a close call at the bowler's end.
McPhee being "no balled" despite his foot appearing to be partly behind the line.
No even Jason Gillespie could get to this bouncer from McPhee, with no-ball the call again.
Hird helps McPhee get his shirt off after being told that he will be no-balled until he delivers sans-shirt!
McPhee finally delivers a legal ball down the pitch.
Lloyd dumps a fan on his face
Lloydy and Corey McGrath (now with Carlton) warming down during
pre-season training for 2003. Moments after this picture was taken
a bunch of the kids started gathering around. Barnard 'egged' a
few of them on to wrestle Lloyd with the following results.
After pushing the first little kid
away, the next ended up eating grass after Lloydy's efforts to keep
him at arms length went awry. Most of the players present have already
seen this photo and proceeded have a pretty good laugh at Matty's
expense.
Harvey gets muddy
Training on Monday the 11th of June 2001 saw an
attack on Mark Harvey by a group of players including Dean Solomon,
Matthew Lloyd and then recent Rising Star nominee Mark McVeigh.
But rather than being an act intended to cause "Harv's"
some physical punishment, it seems that the intent was purely to
cover Harvey in mud to help "Celebrate" his birthday.
Johnson, McVeigh, Solomon and a few others took great delight in
running at Harvey from a tackle bag drill on the outer side of Windy
Hill and bringing him into the muddy centre square where the birthday
surprise present was given with gusto.
It didn't end there, with Lloyd getting the same
treatment only a short time later. Only moments later the group
began walking with great purpose towards both Hird and Sheedy. Kevin
blew his whistle and commanded the players up to the school-end
goal square, which they did, but not until Hird had become the obvious
'target'. His supposed chat with fitness coach John Quinn was cut
short by Sheedy obviously awake to the plans, who once again blew
the whistle and yelled that the last command was for 'everyone'.
Hird moved only to be shadowed by the 'Mud Brothers'. To ensure
his good looks remained dirt free, Hird spent the next few minutes
jogging in the wrong direction or just avoiding the players keen
on seeing him bowed and muddy.
Being a Monday night training session, there weren't
any press or TV camera's present... But Uncy Herb was there, with
camera in-hand and caught a few snaps of the muddy fun.
Harv's copping a 'Happy Birthday'
present from McVeigh, Solomon, Moorcroft, Barnard, Lloyd & Fletcher
Bombers assistant coach Mark Harvey
after the incident.
One of the 'perps', Dean Solomon.
Surely they don't execute you for
dumping your coach in the mud, do they?
James Hird, attempting (successfully)
to keep away from the 'posse' keen on seeing him join Mark Harvey
(left) in the mud.