Joking aside, he will be under more media and fan scrutiny at his new club due to his high price tag.
“Is he prepared for the spotlight that comes with being the highest-paid athlete and earning $1.5 million annually? Former Port Adelaide player and current masthead columnist Kane Cornes said on SEN in October of last year, “I’m not sure if he is.”
The strain increases further when you consider that Essendon hasn’t won a final since Kevin Sheedy’s coaching tenure.
Essendon naturally generates some outside noise about missing finals and other events, so McKay observed that the club has to deal with it as well.
Every Essendon supporter has a special memory to cherish from the team’s legendary history versus Hawthorn, whether it’s the enduring picture of Leon Baker’s blind turn in the 1984 Grand Final or the sight of a jubilant Cale Hooker celebrating his game-winning goal in 2015.
The two clubs’ matches have been considered one of the VFL/AFL’s greatest rivalries for many years, dating back to a time when fans of both teams have happy memories of it.
Consider the events that have fashioned a renowned and enduring fixture on the football schedule as you prepare for the Bombers’ round one matchup with the Hawks this Saturday.
