Former Essendon captain Tim Watson has revealed just 13 players attended the Bombers’ 1993 premiership reunion last night.
The absences of Mark Thompson and James Hird threatened to overshadow the event, but according to Watson, those weren’t the only individuals who couldn’t make it.
"Thirteen players were there,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Ricky Olarenshaw flew in from Bali, Roger Merrett, who has had two strokes, got up to speak. He couldn't talk, he was overcome with anxiety then his son finished the speech for him.
“Neale Daniher got up too and we know about his battle with motor neurone disease. That was brilliant too."
Dean Wallis was also a no-show due to the dirty fallout of the supplements saga, with Watson saying, “he’s got some issues with people at the football club but I don't know what they are because I haven't spoken to him.”
Norm Smith Medallist Michael Long didn’t attend after catching an illness, according to Watson.
Listen to the best bits of this morning’s edition of SEN Breakfast in the player below