The Red & Black Project

Few players have traversed more of the country in pursuit of their AFL dream than West Australian-born Dale Kickett, who represented Fitzroy (15 games, 1990), West Coast (2, 1991), St Kilda (21, 1992), Essendon (8, 1994) and Fremantle (135, 1995-2002). A triple premiership player at WA club Claremont (1989, 1991, 1993), it was during Kickett's only season at Windy Hill where he won his only AFL premiership: the 1994 pre-season Foster's Cup. By then, he certainly knew how to perform in big games, having twice won the Simpson Medal as best afield in WAFL Grand Finals (1991, 1993). An inaugural Docker, Kickett won a Doig Medal as club best and fairest (1997), represented WA in State of Origin, and in 2024 was inducted into the Western Australian Football Hall of Fame.
This podcast is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddybooks.com.
Go Bombers!

Wingman Roger Hampson, Bomber number 772, had his playing career at Essendon cut short due to injury, managing just 10 games in three years (1969-71), but he did play in the 1968 reserves premiership side. He later returned to Essendon after the 1988 season, replacing Barry Capuano as general manager. During his seven years as GM, Hampson was involved in many significant events, including the move from Windy Hill to the MCG, the 1990 and 1993 Grand Finals, and, of course, working alongside legendary coach, Kevin Sheedy. 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddybooks.com.
Go Bombers!

Bomber number 701, Graham Leydin, recalls his 35-game career at Windy Hill (1959-61 & 1964), where he won an under-19s best and fairest (1958) and was a member of Essendon's 1959 Grand Final side which lost to Melbourne. Also his successful cricket career, which saw him play matches against touring nations, England and South Africa.
This podcast is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddybooks.com.
Go Bombers!

In this episode, Bomber number 808, Ron Andrews, a man with one of the most notorious reputations in VFL/AFL history (he was suspended for a total of 24 weeks during his 12-year career), reveals insights that he's never shared before, including his mental and physical battles after that career-altering knee injury in 1978 and his devastation at missing out on Essendon's 1983 Grand Final side. If you thought you knew 'Rugged' or 'Rotten' Ronnie Andrews, nicknames bestowed upon him by the media, think again! During his 11 years at Windy Hill (1973-83, 151 games) Andrews was a fan favourite with the red & black army. He captained the club in 1982, won a reserves premiership in 1983, then, having fallen out of favour with coach Kevin Sheedy, played one final season at Collingwood (1984, 6 games), retiring on 157 games and a highlight reel as memorable as any player in Essendon's history.
This podcast is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddybooks.com.
Go Bombers!

West Australian rover, Wayne Otway, Bomber number 889, was 25 years young when he played his first game for the Bombers in round 1, 1982. Two hours later, having amassed 28 disposals and kicked five goals, the Essendon supporters had a new hero to cheer for. If not for injuries, Otway may well have been roving in the back-to-back premierships of 1984-85, however, it was not to be and after just 36 games (and 65 goals) he returned to WA at the end of 1983 to play again with his original club, East Perth, where he was a premiership player (1978) and former best and fairest winner (1980).
This episode of The Red & Black Project is proudly brought to you by the Essendonians, the Essendon Past Players & Officials Association, and daneddybooks.com.
Go Bombers!