MISITI, Joe

Joe Misiti was only 15 when he joined Essendon's Under 19s from Keilor Park in 1990. He won the Under 19s Best and Fairest in 1990, and the Reserves Best and Fairest in 1992.

"Smokin" Joe played the last two games of 1992, and his 27 disposals on debut against North Melbourne, is an all-time record at Essendon. He played every game in 1993 except the Qualifying Final which he missed through injury. His prolific possession-winning abilities saw him emerge as one of the best centremen in the League in the 1993 premiership year.

His form dropped off in 1994 but he fought his way back, and by 1996 he was consistently the leading possession winner at Essendon. He played mainly in the midfield, and although not endowed with much pace, he had great endurance and fought hard at the bottom of packs to feed the ball out to his teammates.

Misiti was also a consistent performer in the Crichton Medal, finishing third in 1996, second in 1997 and 1999, fourth in 2000 (after missing a third of the season with a broken wrist), and seventh in 1998. He won the award for Best Finals performance in 2000 and was a member of the 2000 premiership team.

He started the 2001 season in sensational style with two best on ground performances against Kangaroos and Port Adelaide but the a knee injury in Round 3 forced him to have an arthroscope which placing him onto the long term injury list. He rediscovered his form mid-season and was a key performer in the first two finals. He was a member of the 2001 losing Grand Final team.

He retired at the end of 2004.

Joe Misiti was named at number 42 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).