John Somerville

Recruited from Moe in country Victoria, John Somerville was a tall, elegant half-forward who became a key structural piece of Essendon’s attack in the 1960s. Standing 188cm and nicknamed "Slim," he was deceptively quick and renowned for his long, accurate kicking rather than physical aggression. He slotted seamlessly into the Bombers' lineup, playing a vital role in the 1962 premiership victory over Carlton and winning the club's Best Team Man award in 1963. His ability to play tall or act as a link man made him a difficult matchup for opposition defenders, contributing nearly a goal a game throughout his career.

Somerville’s career is most infamously defined by the controversial incident that denied him a second flag. In the opening minutes of the 1965 Preliminary Final against Collingwood, he was knocked unconscious well behind the play by defender Duncan Wright. The strike occurred so far from the action that no umpires witnessed it, though the severity of Somerville's facial injuries incensed his teammates. While the Bombers disciplined themselves to win that match and the subsequent Grand Final against St Kilda, Somerville was ruled out of the decider due to the concussion. He retired in 1967, but his legacy at Windy Hill continued through his son, Peter Somerville, who played in the club's 1993 premiership side.