The 1984 semi-final between Essendon and Hawthorn has been described by football experts as one of the finest finals ever played.

The two clubs were VFL’s superpowers who had already built a storied rivalry highlighted by the 1983 Grand Final where the Hawks won by a record margin of 83 points.

When people talk of the great rivalry between the Hawks and Bombers, great names come to mind: Matthews, Tuck, Knights, for Hawthorn, Daniher, Madden, Watson and Thompson for Essendon.

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Apart from an opening burst by Hawthorn, including a great goal by DiPierdomenico, the game was a goal-for-goal shootout.

A goal from Dermott Brereton had the Hawks ahead by five points at half-time, before the Bombers took the lead by the slenderest of margins at the final change.

The Hawks’ Richard Loveridge booted his first of the day late in the final term to put the Hawks ahead by two points, before Rodney Eade clinched the side’s ticket to the grand final with another goal just before the final siren.