Australian Football

A prodigiously talented footballer whose foot passing in particular was a delight to behold, 'Smokin' Joe' Misiti was an integral component in the Essendon machine for well over a decade. Recruited from Keilor Park, he made his AFL debut in 1992, and the following year was a member of the 'Baby Bombers' team that thrashed Carlton in the Grand Final.

He lost his way for a time after that, putting on a considerable amount of weight, and losing form, but he got the bit between his teeth again in 1995 and went on to put in a series of excellent seasons culminating in a fine display in the 2000 Grand Final win over Melbourne. At the end of the 2001 season it looked for a time as though salary cap restrictions would force the Dons to off-load their champion on-baller, but a way out of the dilemma was found, and he carried on at the club for a further three seasons. When he retired in 2004 he had played a total of 236 games, and booted 94 goals. His best season was probably 1997 when he ran second in the club's best and fairest award.

Author - John Devaney