Essendon 20.13 (133) d Carlton 13.11 (89)
Midway through the first quarter, Dustin Fletcher kicked out from Carlton’s goal square and Sean Denham gathered the ball in the centre. A deft handball to Michael Long was the catalyst for what has often been featured in lists of the greatest or most memorable goals kicked in the competition’s history. Long streaked through the centre, bounced the ball four times, avoided Michael Sexton and kicked a brilliant running goal. Despite Carlton defender Stephen Silvagni’s desperate pleas that he touched the ball on the line, it was declared a goal, and put the Bombers 14 points in front.
The coach: Kevin Sheedy
"Michael Long and Dean Wallis were both important to the win, but Long's run was so exciting. He just took the ball and ran with it. I think everybody in the end would feel that was one of the special moments in the game.
"It gave us impetus and I knew the players were going to take anything on that day. I just thought, 'We're on. The team's on here.' He really inspired the team. You've got to take risks in big matches; you can't just play. You very rarely see a boring grand final and Long was prepared to take that risk."
The player: Michael Long
"I was running down the wing - I don't know how many bounces it was, maybe six? No one was making ground on me, I was coming towards Sexton and I thought I'd get around him. I had the crowd behind me, which made me more eager to keep coming.
"Silvagni came across but I'd already put it on my boot. The story's always said Silvagni touched it, but I believe in the umpire's decision. I felt myself lifting when it happened, being a grand final with the crowd and my teammates around me. Running that far, kicking the goal and listening to the roar ... it was quite special."
