14. The Fight for the Finals. 986 was another year of superstitions – although they always existed in some form.  By that time, being teens trying to be cool, myself, Ange, and Johnny were smoking – Winfield (Blues), for myself; Peter Jacksons for Ange and Johnny. Prior to one game, we decided to chip in for a packet, but couldn’t decide what to get.  Then we saw them: Black and White cigarettes.  Well, there’s a sign.  We bought them and promptly won.  This became a pre-game ritual – chipping in for Black and White cigarettes, even if we already all had smokes on us.  Whenever we bought them, we won. …

13. Yet Another New Beginning. Essendon humiliated Hawthorn in the 1985 grand final by 78 points.  It was Leigh Matthews’ last game. Matthews, a four-time premiership player, a premiership captain, eight-time Hawthorn Best & Fairest, the inaugural Players’ Association Most Valuable Player, and one of the best (and some consider the best) and toughest players to play the game, was then appointed assistant coach of  Collingwood.  He was to serve an apprenticeship under Bob Rose for two years, and then eventually take over. Well, that was the plan. Essendon smashed Collingwood in Round 1 of 1986 by 65 points.  Without taking credit from the dominant Bombers, it was a performance…