Zaharakis wins Anzac Medal

The Greek Australian footy star kicked four goals and helped Essendon get 40 points in front

On Anzac Day a crowd of 93,373, the third biggest home and away turnout in VFL/AFL history, attended the MCG for the traditional Collingwood-Essendon game and saw David Zaharakis and the Essendon Football team victorious against the Magpie army.

David Zaharakis, in his first game for the Bombers, was the player who kicked the winning goal the last time the Bombers won on Anzac Day in 2009. This time the Greek Australian footy star kicked four goals – most of his goal haul came from open play, and it was he who put the icing on the cake in the last quarter by kicking the one that put Essendon 40 points in front. Zaharakis put in a superb performance of speed and strength throughout the game, which was good enough to win him the coveted Anzac Medal for being the best on ground.

I interviewed David last year and he was very upbeat about his playing future with the Bombers. Although injured for most of 2012, he recalled that his 2011 season was his most consistent and impressive, winning Essendon’s best and fairest player for the year, the Crichton Medal.

David Zaharakis remarked he had a passion to win a premiership with Essendon. His childhood Greek Australian AFL idol was Anthony Koutoufides and David already has aspirations to go one better and win a Brownlow medal. Thursday was not exactly the ‘Charlie’ but the Anzac Medal is a great start.

Neoskosmos.com