IT HAS been a long time between drinks for Essendon.
The Bombers' last finals win came all the way back on 4 September 2004, when they survived a late Demons fightback to secure a five-point elimination final victory.
MATCH PREVIEW Eagles v Bombers
A lot has happened in the 5479 days since, including five more finals defeats.
So, on the eve of yet another do-or-die final for Essendon, AFL.com.au looks back at the team that bested Melbourne 15 years ago and takes a glance at what they're doing now.
Watson, who was 19 at the time, was the last of this group remaining. He finished his career in 2017, playing 220 games but enjoying no more finals victories.
1. Mark Johnson
Moved to Fremantle for a solitary season in 2008, before a shoulder injury prematurely ended his career. He's now doing building work around the Essendon region.
4. Jobe Watson
Claimed the Brownlow Medal in 2012, before that was stripped of him as a result of his involvement in the club's supplements saga. He has several business interests in the United States, including in cafes and gyms. He is also working as a buyer's advocate at Infolio Property Advisors.
5. James Hird
After his controversial role in the club's supplements saga, Hird recently revealed he now plays a part in brokering the sales of major soccer clubs – including Italian giants Inter Milan.
6. Sean Wellman
Was elevated to the club's board in December 2017, having acted as an assistant coach under Hird until the end of 2013. He also runs a mortgage broker business.
7. Dean Solomon
He is currently the senior assistant coach underneath Stuart Dew at Gold Coast, having worked at the Suns for the last eight years. He finished the Level Four coaching program earlier this year.
9. Adam Ramanauskas
Has worked as a player agent at TLA for the last decade. His client list includes names like Ben Brown, Dan Menzel and Jamie Elliott.
10. Mark McVeigh
Worked at Channel 7 and SEN as a caller, while he was also a talent manager with AFL NSW/ACT. He is now the Giants' backline coach after 12 months as their Academy coach.
11. Damien Peverill
Moved to Collingwood as its VFL captain and as an assistant coach at the end of his Essendon career. Is currently coaching Therry Penola OB in the VAFA.
12. Andrew Welsh
Did some calling with Channel 7, but he is now one of Australia's biggest property developers. He also played a few games for Echuca United in the Murray FNL this season.
13. Damian Cupido
Caused controversy on the eve of this season, signing with Rumbalara in the Murray Football League despite being contracted to Henty.
14. Jason Johnson
Played until 2008, but has since founded 'Dineamic Food' and has worked there over the last decade. It services the cafes of AFL clubs like Carlton and Greater Western Sydney.
18. Matthew Lloyd
Has media roles with AFL.com.au, Channel 9 and 3AW, while he is also co-coach of successful APS school Haileybury.
19. David Hille
He now lives in Sydney, where he is a senior analyst with accounting organisation Deloitte.
23. Mark Bolton
He was the chief executive of Ladder, which aims to tackle youth homelessness in Australia. He now lives in London, working with training agency Go1.
25. Scott Lucas
He is a leading player agent with Phoenix Management Group, where he looks after clients like Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Taylor Adams and James Sicily.
27. Matthew Allan
Had a brief stint as the footy boss at the Bendigo Bombers. Is now the national advertising sales representative at the Australian Traffic Network.
28. Justin Murphy
Had a series of off-field problems. Spent six months in prison after being charged with 28 offences, before being released in October 2017.
31. Dustin Fletcher
The club's longest serving player, he returned to Essendon this season as an assistant coach of the club's Next Generation Academy.
34. Brent Stanton
He is an assistant coach at Carlton, where he was promoted to midfield coach underneath caretaker David Teague midway through the season. Had previously been a development coach.
37. Marc Bullen
Has spent the last eight years as senior coach of Deer Park in the Western Regions Football League, where he was investigated for his involvement in an alleged salary cap breach in 2018.
39. Ben Haynes
Had been head coach of Montmorency in the Northern Football League until the end of last season.
42. Nathan Lovett-Murray
Has been working with St Kilda throughout the season, doing a coaching placement course. He did a one-month full-time placement under Alan Richardson, while he is now working at the Saints one day per week.
Coach: Kevin Sheedy
Has an ambassadorial role with Essendon, where he is regularly seen at club training sessions. Also spent four years with the Giants, while he also served on the club's board.
