Sheree Johns

Essendon fans have a diverse range of stories about how they came to support the Bombers, and Sheree Johns is no exception. Her journey is particularly unique, as she found her way to Essendon through a series of memorable experiences and personal connections. Her narrative not only highlights the broad reach of the football club but also the deep and lasting impressions it can make on its supporters, even those living interstate.

In the following Q&A, Sheree shares her personal history with the red and black army, her fondest memories, and her thoughts on the future of Essendon. Take some time to enjoy her story, just as I have.

What was your main reason for following Essendon?

My story is different from most because I didn’t grow up barracking for Essendon. Living in South Australia, the SANFL was king back in the 70s when I started following football. I lived a few kilometres away from Prospect Oval, so North Adelaide was, and still is, my team.

I was lucky enough to see Barrie Robran play, and I still consider him the greatest player I’ve ever seen, even better than James Hird. Like James, Barrie is one of life’s gentlemen. He didn’t deserve the horrific knee injury he sustained when Leigh Matthews cannoned into him during a state game in 1974.

Back in the late 60s and early 70s, the four winners of the state Grand Finals used to meet in Adelaide to play off for the title of Champions of Australia. North beat Carlton by a point in 1972, and legend has it that Jesaulenko was so impressed by a piece of Robran magic that he stood and applauded. This shows the esteem in which Barrie was held and why I hate Matthews' guts.

Glenelg played Richmond in 1973, and I was really impressed with a player named Kevin Sheedy. Fast forward a few years: as I said, the SANFL was king, and I only followed the VFL from a distance. I liked four teams: Richmond (because North’s then-coach Mike Patterson came from Richmond), North (because they were North), South Melbourne/Sydney (because they were red and white like North), and Essendon (because I made a friend on a holiday who lived in Essendon, though I found out years later that she didn’t even like footy).

Fast forward to 1984. I was watching the VFL Grand Final at the Plympton Football Club, in the heart of West Adelaide territory. Like Essendon, they have the colors red and black, so most people watching were barracking for Essendon. Given how much I loved Sheedy and how much I hated Matthews, there was no way I was going to barrack for Hawthorn. I’ll never forget the atmosphere at the club in the last quarter. People were going nuts, so I decided that I’d finally choose who I was going to barrack for, and it was Essendon.

After that day, I started to take more of an interest in Essendon and the VFL in general. A very lanky player called Paul Salmon helped.

When the Crows joined the AFL in 1991, there started to be a lot more media coverage of the competition, unfortunately to the detriment of the SANFL, and I couldn’t see any reason why I should change teams and stop barracking for Essendon.

What’s your fondest memory about supporting Essendon?  

So many to choose from: four premierships, any wins over the Crows and Port, especially in Adelaide; the awesome people I have met over the last few years; and going to games, preferably winning ones.

Where were you on grand final day 1993?  

Watching at home in Mount Barker.

Where were you on grand final day 2000?  

North Adelaide Football Club, watching in the club rooms. One of the few people that weren’t barracking for the underdog Melbourne.

What are your recollections of going to the football as a kid?  

Unfortunately, I never got to go to Windy Hill in its heyday, but talking to people, it sounds very much like what it was like to go to Prospect Oval in the 70s and 80s (except we didn’t have a peanut man). Crowds of 10,000 jammed into suburban grounds weren’t unheard of. We took seats to sit on, but knew if we were playing Port or Glenelg, we’d have to stand and only sit down during breaks. The atmosphere was electric in those days. Now, like the VFL, hardly anyone goes.

I must admit, I love watching the VFL team when I get a chance. I think the first time I saw Essendon play live was a trial game in 1991 against the Adelaide Crows. These brats sitting behind me booed every time Essendon touched the ball. Some things never change and probably helped feed my dislike for the Crows. As a side note, I was at Football Park when it opened in May 1974 (the terraces hadn’t been finished and there was no seating). I was also there at the last game played there, the 2013 SANFL grand final. Ironically, North Adelaide lost both.

Best game you have ever watched live or on tv?  

There are a couple of live games that stick out.

In 2013, Round 1 versus the Crows: The saga had just broken. I had no idea how it was going to affect the players, and we came out after halftime and kicked the Crows' butt. It took an hour after the game to get out of the car park and another hour to drive home, but it was so worth it.

In 2016, Round 2 versus Melbourne: We weren’t supposed to win a game all year, and we came out and won with a team of has-beens and plucky kids. It was the day of the march of support from Fed Square. Crazy wanted to meet me and march together. I’d driven over, and Mum (who was 82 at the time) came along for the ride, so I wasn’t sure if she’d be up for the march. Crazy suggested we get a wheelchair, which horrified Mum: “I don’t need a wheelchair, I can walk!” Which she did, later proclaiming it was a piece of cake.

The 2016 game against North (I can’t remember which round): The one where we were dead in the water and nearly stole victory from the jaws of defeat. I’ve never been to a game either before or after where the winners walked off like they lost, and the losers were given an ovation like they’d won.

Worst/saddest Essendon memory and why?  

The supplement saga sucked. Still does. 

Do family members support Essendon?  

My husband takes a passing interest in football, but if you were to ask him who he roots for, it would be the Crows. When our two children were born, I told them they could support the Crows if they also cheered for North Adelaide. When my daughter was about eight, I took her to a post-game function in Adelaide, and she had such a good time that she decided to ditch the Crows and become an Essendon member like her mum.

A few years ago, my son came out (so to speak) and declared that he also supported Essendon! (Parenting done right.) When his eldest daughter was born, I promptly signed her up as an Essendon member (although her Crows-supporting mother insists I can’t have her younger sister, but I still hold out hope of influencing her). If you were to ask my mum who she roots for, she’d say North Adelaide, so I’ve signed her up as a member too.

My daughter’s Welsh boyfriend was informed by my daughter that he would also support Essendon, so he’s a member too. Even my late dog Ollie had a pet membership, and next year, I’ll be signing up Mollie (though poor Koda misses out—he has a Storm pet membership).

Did you have a football number on the back of an Essendon jumper as a kid?

No jumper as a kid but I have a few as an adult. 

If I’d had a number, it would be 3 for Paul Salmon.  My all-time favourite player. Part of my holy trinity of Reynolds, Salmon and Parish (all of whom wore 3) 

Have you met any past Essendon players? If so, what were they like?  

I’ve met a few over the years and they’ve all been great. I’m yet to meet Paul Salmon so if someone could organize that, I’d really appreciate it. 

Which player did you not want to see leave Essendon and why?  

Paul Salmon, because it was Paul Salmon.  Wanganeen hurt, but I could understand why he left.

Do you collect football Memorabilia? 

I’ve got a few jumpers.

What is it like being an interstate supporter?  

Not as good as being a Victorian one. The media is saturated with Crows news and, to a lesser extent, Port news. People get huffy when you say you don’t root for either team (I was supporting Essendon when the Crows came into the league, and I couldn’t see any reason to change).

Going to football at Adelaide Oval can be hideous, especially when your team loses (though it’s pretty great to be there when they win). You’re either dealing with Port ferals or Crows supporters who can only say ‘Boo’ or ‘Ball.’ Although they’ve also learned to say ‘Biased’ and ‘Bullshit.’

We don’t get much interaction from the club. Barely any open training or autograph sessions, and when we do, they’re combined and last about half an hour. The SA Bombers don’t receive much support for pre- or post-match functions either. And don’t even get me started on ‘gather round,’ where 17 other clubs embraced the concept and ran open training sessions for fans to meet the players. I sincerely hope this improves in the future.

I enjoy attending games when I can, preferably ones where I can fly in and out on the same day. Once you start adding accommodation, meals, car parking, and so on, it gets quite expensive. Occasionally, I make the trip to Melbourne for a few games, and perhaps one other interstate match. I’ve even been known to fly in and out for a VFL game or two.

What type of supporter are you when watching on tv? Passive? Aggressive?  

Probably a bit of both. "Loud" is probably a good way to describe me, like when I'm at the game or something. I usually watch the game with my daughter, her Welsh boyfriend, and we FaceTime Gail in Perth so we can watch the games together.

Your idea of the perfect football day? Starting with breakfast all the way to bedtime.  

The big one for me is ANZAC Day. I’ve been coming over with my daughter since 2010 (I think we’ve missed only two in that time). Since 2022, we’ve been joined by her Welsh boyfriend.

We usually fly the day before and stay in the CBD. In the morning, we have breakfast somewhere before going for a walk to pass the time. We head off to walk to the MCG around 11:30 am, stopping for lunch along the way. We get to the ground in plenty of time to see the parade of veterans. ANZAC Day at the G is such a special place to be. After the game, we head over to AAMI Park to watch Melbourne Storm play. Depending on how we feel, we either catch a train or walk back to wherever we’re staying. Sometimes I’ve gone to Melbourne early or stayed later to watch the VFL, but I haven’t done that since before COVID.

Which 3 past players stood out to you & why? 

Paul Salmon, because he’s Paul Salmon.

Jobe Watson, classy under the pressure of the saga.

Matthew Lloyd, someone described him once as every mother’s son.

Which premiership gave you more enjoyment? 1993 or 2000?  

1993. Because we had to work harder for it.  

Which player did you pick early in their career would be a star and why?  

There’s a couple in the VFL that made the transition. Walla just looked good from the word go. Draper was raw but there was something about him. I thought that Irving Mosquito looked impressive, unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

I was at the MCG, Round 1 2022 when we got pantsed by Geelong. Shocking game, but I was there for the debut for Martin, which is all that I want to remember from that game. 

What current players have you most excited about the future and why?  

Martin, Durham and Dursmaa.

I could probably name half the team. We’re still a work in progress, but when the pieces finally lock together, watch out 

What would you like to see more on field from Essendon?  

Better delivery to the forward 50. We still tend to kick and hope but we are getting better. 

What would you like to see more off field from Essendon?  

More recognition of interstate and regional members, we can’t always get to games or open training sessions.

I’d like more player availability at Gather Round, like the other 17 clubs seem to achieve.

How far away from the ultimate success again is Essendon?  

It’s probably not that far away, I’d say 2-3 years. I’d like to win a final this year. That would be good.  

What are your thoughts on Brad Scott?  

I wasn’t sure at first, but I really like him now. He’s brought something to the club that’s been missing for a long time. I’m not sure what it is, but the team seems more united and focused. I’ll reserve judgment until the end of the season because it is, after all, Essendon, and we do tend to drop off after the bye.

How many games will Essendon win this year?  

13.5 

What ladder position will they finish?  

5-8 

What needs to improve the most from Essendon?  

I’d like to see us put sides away. The close finishes aren’t good for my heart.

At least I know how I’m going to die. 

Which player from an opposition team do you love watching the most?  

Nat Fyfe, Toby Greene and Connor Rozee 

Which team can’t you stand watching on tv?  

The Crows, followed by Port, and 14 other teams.

I do like watching GWS.

Which current opposition player would you like at Essendon and why?  

Connor Rozee.

When Port selected him, I was eating dinner and I threw my fork across the room. I’d seen him play for North Adelaide in the finals series that year and he got better and better each game. He was born to play on the big stage. 

Have your feelings changed about a particular opponent over time?  

No, I hate them all. Except GWS. I’ve had a soft spot for them, probably because of Sheeds and Phil Davis (another good North boy). Plus their social media team is the best in the business.

Who do you consider Essendon’s arch enemy and why?  

Probably Carlton as their supporters are twats. 

Most hated opponent and why?  

The Crows. Because I live in SA and the media shoves them down our throats. 

If you could go back in time and change a moment from Essendon’s history, what would it be?  

I’d be in charge of hiring and firing.

Dank and Robinson wouldn’t even make it through the door. 

You can invite eight Essendon people/players to dinner, who would they be and what would you serve?  

Paul Salmon.

Jobe Watson.

Robert Shaw.

Mark Harvey.

Darcy Parish.

Nic Martin.

Harry Jones.

I’m generally acknowledged by my family as one of the world’s worst cooks, so I’d invite Crazy because she’s a brilliant cook. She can choose the menu.

What’s one thing you could bring back from a past era to todays football?  

John Coleman and Dick Reynolds.

Name one rule change you would like to make in football?  

Over here we have the last touch out rule. If a player kicks the ball and it goes out of bounds, regardless of whether it’s on the full or not, it’s a free kick to the opposition. Speeds things up a bit and there’s no argument whether it’s deliberate or not. 

What frustrates you the most about football these days?  

Having 36 players up one end of the ground and no-one in the 50 metre arc behind the play. That and stifling low scoring games. 

What movie title sums up Essendon right now and why?  

The Great Escape. We’ve had a couple of those this season.

Name a motto/life lesson/saying you apply to Essendon? 

I know how I’m going to die.  

****Quick fire questions**** 

One word answers.  

Who/what do you prefer?  

Wanganeen or Long?  

Wanganeen.

Daniher or Saad?  

I’d rather erase those names from my memory.

Windy Hill or MCG?  

Windy Hill.

Hird or Lloyd?  

Lloyd.

1984 or 1985? 

1984.

Misiti or Mercuri?  

Mercuri.

Madden or Salmon?  

Salmon (stupid question).

Rutten or Knights?  

An Under 8’s coach from the bush.

Ground level or top tier?  

Ground level.

Socks up or socks down?  

Up.

Day or night grand final?  

Day.

Thank you so much, Sheree. I deeply appreciate you sharing these wonderful moments from your perspective. I dearly hope you get the chance to meet Paul Salmon someday.