Bombers midfielder David Zaharakis claims the ANZAC Medal.
Essendon claim ANZAC Day honours with massive 46-point win over Collingwood.
David Zaharakis goal for Essendon. Picture: Coppel Alex Source: Herald Sun
WHEN Sandy Zaharakis spoke to her son David a few hours before the big Anzac Day match against Collingwood, she told him she loved him and added: ''Just go out and make your great grandad proud.''
David's great grandad was Gus Heidke, a Light Horseman who served at Gallipoli. He was one of the lucky ones who survived and was evacuated, albeit torn at having to leave his horse behind.
''John and I always go to the dawn service every year,'' Sandy said.
David's father, John, added: ''Those services at the Shrine mean a lot to both of us, and that's actually imparted on to David. And that spirit I think he displays on the field.
''We've always engendered in David and our two girls (older sisters Carrie and Jessica) that the Anzac spirit is something special.
''It's funny because I just had a chat to him the other day about my father, Arthur, who fought in the resistance in Greece in the Second World War. Those men were only recognised a few years ago. So there's an Anzac connection right through from 100 years ago up until the present day.''
Anzac medallist David Zaharakis enjoys Essendon's win with captain Jobe Watson. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
That history gained a new chapter this year when Zaharakis gathered 34 disposals -- including a goal in each quarter -- in Essendon's 46-point win against Collingwood and was voted the 2013 Anzac Day medallist.
''It's a special day for our family,'' Zaharakis said.
''It's always meant something to us, and growing up an Essendon supporter the match always meant sdomething to me, too. To be able to play in it is just a special experience.''
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The performance was significant for Zaharakis in a football sense, too, signalling a return to almost full fitness after he missed the latter half of last season and parts of the pre-season with a thigh injury.
He was a member of a dominant midfield that had two or three legimate contenders for the medal. As former great Wayne Carey said on radio after the match: ''That's a tough Anzac Day Medal, a close one. Any of four or five players could've won it.''
Captain Jobe Watson was the other outstanding influence over four quarters. He had eight, eight, 10 and five disposals, and continued his habit of kicking the goal that iced the game.
Twenty minutes into the final term the skipper grabbed the loose ball at a boundary throw-in, burst clear of Brent Macaffer and snapped truly to put the Bombers 34 points up. He celebrated with fans leaning over the fence before being swamped by teammates.
Jobe Watson celebrates a goal with Essendon fans. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
Zaharakis was equally consistent, but probably gained the nod because of his impact on the scoreboard. He kicked the opening goal of the match and backed up with crucial majors early in the second and third quarters. He used the ball efficiently and gave the Dons some much-needed dash.
Zaharakis's contribution further cemented his Anzac Day reputation. He burst on to the scene when, aged 19 and playing in just his fourth senior match, he kicked the winning goal with just seconds remaining in the match.
Asked if he believed that game had signalled his arrival as an AFL player, Zaharakis replied: ''I don't know. Having one good moment doesn't mean you've arrived as a player, and I think that showed up in the inconsistency of my performances after that.
''Probably 2011, when you have a good season, and I was fortunate enough to win the B&F, that's when you think 'Hmm, I can actually really play AFL footy'.''
John Zaharakis is not so sure: ''Up until that moment he was my son, but after that I became his father.''
And after his latest performance, David Zaharakis will be known for contributing more to Anzac Day football than that one kick in the wet four years ago.
Full voting
8 David Zaharakis (Essendon).
4 Jobe Watson (Essendon)
3 Jake Carlilse (Essendon)
1 Tom Bellchambers (Essendon)
1 Michael Hibberd (Essendon)
1 Brent Stanton (Essendon)
Judge voting – 3 2 1
Tom Harley (Channel 7, Chairman) – D Zaharakis, J Watson, B Stanton.
Greg Baum (The Age) – J Carlisle, D Zaharakis, T Bellchambers.
Mark Robinson (Herald Sun) – D Zaharakis, J Watson, M Hibberd.
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