2000 AFL Grand Final — Essendon Cap A Near-Perfect Season

The 2000 AFL Grand Final saw Essendon thrash Melbourne 19.21 (135) to 11.9 (75) at the MCG — a 60-point demolition that capped Essendon’s near-perfect 24-game season. Played on 2 September 2000 in front of 96,249 fans, the Bombers’ premiership was the climax of the “Baby Bombers” era and one of the most-dominant single seasons in modern AFL history. Shane Crawford was robbed; James Hird won the Norm Smith Medal; Kevin Sheedy collected his fourth and final Jock McHale.

The Build-Up: A Near-Perfect Season

Essendon’s 2000 season was almost flawless. The Bombers won 22 of 24 home-and-away games (their only losses to West Coast and Western Bulldogs) — the best regular-season record in modern AFL. Kevin Sheedy’s coaching tenure had peaked. James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas, Mark Mercuri, Joe Misiti, Sean Wellman, Dustin Fletcher — multiple players were at the top of their respective games.

Melbourne, under Neale Daniher, had reached the Grand Final via a strong finals run. The Demons had finished 4th but found form at the right time. Shaun Smith, Adem Yze, Stephen Powell — the Demons’ best had been impressive.

The Match: A Bombers Coronation

Essendon started fast and never relinquished the lead. James Hird’s midfield class, Matthew Lloyd’s contested marking (4 goals), and Mark Mercuri’s pressure work all combined for a Bombers masterclass.

By half-time Essendon led by 30+ points. The third quarter extended the margin. Melbourne’s resistance in the final quarter was admirable but futile.

Final score: Essendon 19.21 (135) defeated Melbourne 11.9 (75) — a 60-point margin.

The Norm Smith Medal: James Hird

The 2000 Norm Smith went to James Hird of Essendon. Hird’s 25 disposals, 1 goal, and overall midfield class earned the recognition. Hird was the Bombers’ captain and his Norm Smith was earned through both leadership and individual brilliance.

The Premiership Coach: Kevin Sheedy (Fourth and Final)

Kevin Sheedy collected his fourth and final Jock McHale Medal in 2000 (after 1984, 1985, 1993). Sheedy’s 27-year coaching tenure at Essendon (1981-2007) is the longest single-club tenure in modern AFL.

Famous Moments

• James Hird’s Norm Smith.
• Matthew Lloyd’s 4 goals — Bombers’ key forward.
• Scott Lucas’s defensive role.
• Mark Mercuri’s pressure work.
• The 22-and-2 home-and-away record — best in modern AFL.
• Kevin Sheedy’s emotional Cup lift — fourth flag, final premiership.
• The “Baby Bombers” celebration — youth integration paying off.
• Melbourne’s defiant fourth quarter — Demons coach Neale Daniher gracious in defeat.
• Shaun Smith’s 22 disposals — Demons’ captain in losing effort.
• The 60-point winning margin.

Trivia for the Pub

• Date: 2 September 2000, MCG.
• Final: Essendon 19.21 (135) defeated Melbourne 11.9 (75).
• Margin: 60 points.
• Crowd: 96,249.
• Norm Smith: James Hird.
• Jock McHale: Kevin Sheedy (fourth and final).
• Essendon’s 16th VFL/AFL premiership.
• The Bombers’ 22-and-2 record is the best in modern AFL home-and-away.
• Sheedy’s 27-year tenure at Essendon is the longest single-club tenure in modern AFL.
• The “Baby Bombers” referred to the youth-integration squad that had won the 1993 flag and continued through 2000.

The Rumours and Aftermath

The 2000 result launched what would have been a Bombers dynasty — but the 2001 Grand Final loss to Brisbane prevented back-to-back flags. The 2000 win remained Essendon’s last to date.

For Melbourne, the 2000 loss extended their premiership drought to 36 years (since 1964). The drought wouldn’t end until 2021 — 21 more years of Demons heartache.

The Verdict

The 2000 AFL Grand Final was Essendon’s coronation after a near-perfect season. James Hird’s Norm Smith, Kevin Sheedy’s fourth flag, the 22-and-2 home-and-away record — all combined for one of the most-dominant single seasons in modern AFL history. Long live the 2000 Bombers.

The 2000 Bombers also produced the “Baby Bombers” identity that would carry through the early 2000s. James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, and others remained at the club for years afterwards. The 2001 Grand Final loss to Brisbane was a setback but didn’t diminish the 2000 dominance.

For the broader AFL, 2000 marked the end of an era. The Sheedy-era Bombers had ruled the late 1990s; 2001 launched the Brisbane Lions three-peat era. The torch passed cleanly between the two dominant clubs of the modern era.