Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicks special goal AFL comeback game for Essendon against Hawthorn

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has sent Essendon fans into raptures during his AFL return on Sunday.

The crowd favourite started the day as the sub, but came on to the ground in the opening few minutes of the last quarter, much to the delight of the Essendon faithful.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Crowd erupts over Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti goal in return game.

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What was otherwise petering out to be a Sunday afternoon bloodbath, as the Bombers put Hawthorn to the sword, suddenly became a scene of excitement.

The crowd erupted in applause as McDonald-Tipungwuti ran onto the field for the first time since Round 21, 2021 as chants of ‘Tippa, Tippa, Tippa’ rung around the MCG before he had even had a touch.

And it didn’t take long for the livewire forward to get involved.

Within minutes, the 29-year-old – who retired for personal reasons in May last year – found himself on the end of a forward 50 entry, within scoring distance.

He went back and slotted the goal from 50 before being swarmed by every Essendon player on the ground.

It elicited clearly the biggest cheer from the crowd of 68,691, with even Hawks fans warmly applauding.

Though it was outdone just a minute later when he took another mark inside 50, this time just 25 metres out.

Apparently losing their sense of theatre, the footy gods had him miss the set shot, but he was still worshipped.

More to come…