John Barnes

It took thirteen years of top-flight footy, but in season 2000, John Barnes finally realised every player's dream.

The veteran ruckman was part of the awesome Bombers side that tore up the competition on its way to premiership glory.

John reckons the only thing sweeter than the taste of victory is the taste of fresh fish.

He started fishing when he was four… in a dam near his hometown.

We're using live yabbies as bait, but Barnesy's not off to a good start - he's cast onto the next jetty!

We finally get his line in the water, and pretty soon I'm reeling mine back in, weighed down with bream….well, sort of. Just a little fella. But a start…

The only bite John's getting is from his bait.

He's not having a good day, the big fella. Then again, having played in three losing grand finals for Geelong, he knows a thing or two about off days.

'Yeah played in three, probably favourite for one or two of 'em, just couldn't quite get over the line..'

Those memories were erased last year, as Essendon won 24 out of 25 games and took care of Melbourne in the big one.

'The actual grand final day…meant a lot to me..'

This is getting embarrassing. I'm 4-nil up and in desperation, John's using some dodgy decking.

Oh well, at least he's landed something, although the bait was almost bigger than the catch.

Never mind. I'm pretty sure John - and the Bombers - will have bigger fish to fry this season.