As far as inauspiscous debuts go - Justin Blumfield takes the cake. Blumfield was selected to make his debut against St Kilda in round 10 of 1996 - or more specifically episode two of that round 10 match. The first part of that match became famous when the lights went out at Waverley and the match had to be adandoned. The final 28-minutes of the game were played out a couple of days later. The AFL allowed the two competing clubs to make changes and Blumfield was selected to play his first game.

""It was unusual to say the least,"" Blumfield said. ""The match was only to go 28 minutes and I started on the bench. Sheeds put me on the ground with three minutes and told me to go to full forward. At that stage we had a pretty handy lead and the players down the field were just chipping the ball around to run down the click. The siren went and I had not even seen the ball let alone get a touch. Looking back I don't know why I bothered having a shower at the end of the game.""

So Blumfield's first foray into the world of AFL football was anything but a fairytale. However what has unfolded since that day is more in line with the dreams of every young footballer. Sure there have been ups and downs but the bottom line is that after this Saturday Blumfield will have 100 games and a premiership underhis belt. He has the respect of his peers and a long-time left in a game he loves.

""I've loved every minute of it - there are a couple of tight losses I could have done without but that's football and it is those experiences which make you appreciate the good times,"" Blumfield said. ""I always had the goal of playing AFL football - like hundreds of other kids I suppose. I always believed I could make it but to be playing in a side like this and under the guidance of someone like Kevin Sheedy - it has turned out better than I could have ever expected.""

Blumfield is one of the most modest, down-to-earth players at Windy Hill. But make no mistake - he is a star. It is no surprise the club fought so hard to retain his services when he was rumoured to be heading to Sydney. It is no surprise Sydney threw everything but the kitchen sink at him. He is a great overhead mark, a goalkicker who can run all day in the mid-field - every coach would love to have a few of him. And he is a big game player - he went within a whisker of snatching the Norm Smith Medal from James Hird last season.

""Grand Final day was a great day. I often think how lucky I am - so many people don't even get to AFL level let alone play in a winning Grand Final side. I'll cherish that forever but I'm far from satisfied - we have a good list at the moment and the club really has to capitalise on that while that is the case,"" Blumfield said.

And Blumfield's commitment to Essendon is one of the reasons Essendon has been able to keep together a quality list. Blumfield took less than he could have got at other clubs to remain with the Bombers. ""I just wanted to play with my mates,"" Blumfield said. ""A lot of us have come through the ranks together and I just couldn't walk away. The club has been good to me and I felt I owed them something.""

Seen by many as a future leader at the club, Essendon supporters will be thrilled he stayed on and hope he will remain for many years yet.

THE BLUMFIELD FACT FILE

Justin was recruited in the 1994 National Draft and was selection 62.

In the early days he wore number 34 before switching to 32 in 1997.

He played all of 1995 in the reserves, including the finals.

He made his debut against St Kilda in round 10, 1996.

His senior selection saw him become the 1000th Essendon player to be selected.

He played in the 1996 Preliminary Final and was eligible for the Reserves Grand Final the following week.

He represented the Allies in 1998.

He won the Best Clubman Award in 1998.

He played in both the night and day premiership sides in season 2000.

He represented Australia against Ireland at the completion of season 2000.