Being an Essendon supporter has required a lot of patience throughout the past two decades. 6000 plus days since a final win, the drug scandal, and a strange coach transition during the 2020 season has left many loyal fans' faith wavering.
Bright stars have come and gone, including the exits of Joe Daniher, Orazio Fantasia and Adam Saad last trade period.
With the list management team set the task to replace three integral players in the best 22, supreme access to the 2020 draft and bargain bin acquisitions have seen a young Bombers side successfully start to rebuild on the run.
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In front of the biggest crowd since the Covid-19 pandemic with 78,113 fans in attendance at the MCG, the young Bombers outlasted an out-of-form Collingwood side with a brilliant 24 point win on ANZAC Day.
A number of young players shone for the Dons at the MCG. Most notably, Darcy Parish was enormous, winning the ANZAC Medal with 42 disposals to go along with two majors.
Nik Cox showed glimpses of his bright future - exceeding the expectations of your typical tall first-year player - while Archie Perkins and Will Snelling both putting together great efforts on one of football's biggest stages.
Embed from Getty Images As well as the young talent, two of the Bombers bargain buys of the offseason played their best games for the club.
'Two Metre' Peter Wright played was massive, competing well in the ruck against Brodie Grundy and sneaking forward for couple of goals. Former Saint Nick Hind has filled the shoes of Adam Saad since arriving at the Bombers, playing one of his best games with 23 disposals running off the half backline.
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After the success of the high pressure Bombers outfit - who out-tackled the Pies 86-56 in what was their first ANZAC Day win since 2017, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes believes the recruitment and list management deserves a lot of praise.
"A lot of Essendon fans were up in arms about the players that they lost, but what you can get is an injection of youth and a mini-rebuild,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.
“We’re seeing three teams rebuild on the run in Sydney, Fremantle and Essendon, what it can do for a club to get some speed in, rejuvenate the list, pick up some bargains like Peter Wright and Nick Hind and you get what you get.
"It’s going to be up and down, we’ve seen that already, but you can see that the future is bright.
“I’d much rather that than a situation like Carlton or Collingwood.”
Essendon, who ranked third in Zero Hanger's "Six clubs with the most promising young lists" piece, are starting to utilise their young talent in a more attacking and fast-paced style of play.
It sees them sitting 2-4 for the season after winning two of their last four games.