1993 AFL Grand Final — The Baby Bombers’ Triumph

The 1993 AFL Grand Final saw Essendon defeat Carlton 20.13 (133) to 13.11 (89) at the MCG, a 44-point margin that crowned the famous “Baby Bombers” in Kevin Sheedy’s third premiership. Played on 25 September 1993 in front of 96,862 fans, Essendon’s premiership was the youngest premiership team in modern AFL history, featuring debuting James Hird, Dustin Fletcher, and Mark Mercuri among others. Michael Long won the Norm Smith Medal, the first Indigenous Australian to do so.

The Build-Up: Bombers’ Youth

Essendon, under Kevin Sheedy, had been progressively rebuilding. The 1985 flag (Sheedy’s second) had been earned years earlier; the 1993 squad was a youth-integration project. James Hird, Dustin Fletcher, Mark Mercuri, Joe Misiti, Sean Wellman, and multiple players in their debut or second seasons, combined with veterans (Tim Watson, Dean Wallis, Paul Salmon).

Carlton, under David Parkin, had reached the Grand Final after a strong season. Stephen Kernahan led the forward line; Greg Williams was the midfield veteran (won 1986 Brownlow with Sydney; would win 1994 Brownlow with Carlton).

The Match: Bombers’ Coronation

Essendon started fast. James Hird’s debut Grand Final brilliance, Michael Long’s pressure, and the Bombers’ youth-energy combined for a dominant performance. Long’s 21 disposals and 1 goal earned the Norm Smith, but his ground game and pressure were equally decisive.

By half-time, Essendon led by 25 points. The third quarter extended the margin. Carlton’s fourth-quarter resistance was strong, but the gap held.

Final score: Essendon 20.13 (133) defeated Carlton 13.11 (89) by 44 points.

The Norm Smith Medal: Michael Long

In 1993, Norm Smith went to Michael Long of Essendon, the first Indigenous Australian to win the medal. Long’s 21 disposals, 1 goal, and pressure work earned the recognition. Long became one of the AFL’s most-celebrated Indigenous players; his subsequent activism (the “Long Walk”) established him as a cultural figure beyond footy.

The Premiership Coach: Kevin Sheedy (Third)

Kevin Sheedy collected his third Jock McHale Medal in 1993 (after 1984, 1985). He’d add a fourth in 2000.

Famous Moments

• Michael Long’s 21 disposals — first Indigenous Norm Smith.
• James Hird’s debut Grand Final — future captain.
• Dustin Fletcher’s defensive heroics.
• Mark Mercuri’s pressure work.
• Tim Watson’s veteran 4 goals.
• Stephen Kernahan’s defiant 4 goals — Blues’ captain in defeat.
• Greg Williams’s 25 disposals — Carlton midfielder.
• The 44-point Essendon winning margin.
• Kevin Sheedy’s emotional third Cup lift.
• The “Baby Bombers” celebration — youth integration paying off.

Trivia for the Pub

• Date: 25 September 1993, MCG.
• Final: Essendon 20.13 (133) defeated Carlton 13.11 (89).
• Margin: 44 points.
• Crowd: 96,862.
• Norm Smith: Michael Long (first Indigenous Norm Smith).
• Jock McHale: Kevin Sheedy (third).
• Essendon’s 15th VFL/AFL premiership.
• The “Baby Bombers” were the youngest premiership team in modern AFL.
• Long would later be celebrated for the “Long Walk” Indigenous activism.
• Hird’s debut Grand Final preceded his Norm Smith Medal in 2000.

The Verdict

The 1993 AFL Grand Final crowned the “Baby Bombers” and produced the first Indigenous Norm Smith Medal winner. Michael Long’s history-making, James Hird’s debut brilliance, and Kevin Sheedy’s third flag all combined for a landmark Grand Final. Long live the 1993 Bombers.

Michael Long’s 1993 Norm Smith holds particular cultural significance. His subsequent activism around Indigenous reconciliation, including the “Long Walk” from Melbourne to Canberra in 2004, established him as a footy legend whose impact extended well beyond the field. The 1993 Norm Smith was the first chapter in that story.

The 1993 Bombers’ youth-integration model became a template for future AFL clubs. The combination of veteran experience (Sheedy, Watson, Salmon) with debuting talent (Hird, Long, Fletcher, Mercuri) created sustained competitive periods that other clubs would later emulate.