Paul Salmon

Paul Salmon made his debut for Essendon in 1983 wearing the number three under Coach Kevin Sheedy.

Salmon was best known for his athleticism and effectiveness in a one on one contest and with his height (206cm) also a valuable asset. 

He kicked 63 goals in 13 games in 1984, before a knee injury ruled him out for a year.

Salmon came back in time for the 1985 Grand Final win over Hawthorn, kicking six goals in the side's 78 point win.

He kicked five goals in the Bombers 1993 Grand Final win before moving to Hawthorn at the end of 1995.

Salmon returned to Windy Hill in 2002 when Kevin Sheedy enticed him out of retirement.

It was then that the 37 year old donned the ‘Number Four‘ Guernsey for 15 games, including two finals, that year.

Gavin Wanganeen

The Bombers recruited Gavin Wanganeen with the number 12 pick in the 1989 draft.  He made his debut against Richmond in round one, 1991.  He played 18 games that year and won Essendon’s best first year player award.

The courageous back pocket didn’t waste any time making his mark on the AFL.  In 1992 he became an All-Australian for the first time, but it was the 1993 season that was his most prolific. 

He was awarded the Michael Tuck Medal as Essendon’s best player in the 1993 Foster’s Cup Grand Final victory against Richmond. 

Wanganeen played 18 home and away matches that season.  The Bombers finished on top of the ladder and won through to the Grand Final after a thrilling come from behind preliminary final win against Adelaide. 

The Brownlow Medal count kick started the Grand Final week festivities but, after seven rounds, it was shaping as a quiet night for Wanganeen.  He picked up his first votes in round eight and had just seven votes to his name by round 15.  Then a stellar month of football where he picked up 11 votes catapulted him into the lead and he held on to win by one vote from Garry Hocking and Greg Williams.

By the end of the week, Wanganeen had a premiership medal to add to his collection.  Essendon beat Carlton by 44 points with Wanganeen collecting 20 disposals and kicking a goal.  He was named in the All-Australian side that year and again in 1995.

Wanganeen left Essendon at the end of the 1996 season to return home to South Australia where he joined new club, Port Adelaide. 

In 1997, Wanganeen was named in the back pocket for Essendon’s Team of the Century and in 2002, Wanganeen was voted the 19th best Essendon player of all time in the ‘Champions of Essendon’ list.

Leon Baker

It was a late start to his career but Leon Baker made an immediate impact.

Baker had been playing in the WAFL for Swan Districts winning two premierships before joining the Bombers for the 1984 season. 

He kicked 13 goals in the finals series, including four in the Grand Final, as the Bombers beat Hawthorn in the 1984 decider.

He backed up his first year performance with another quality Grand Final in 1985.

Baker collected 28 possessions and kicked two goals as the Bombers won by 78 points.

He retired at the end of the 1988 season with 86 games to his name.

Ron Andrews

Ron Andrews was best known for his commitment and aggressive approach to the game.

Andrew’s debuted in 1973 and played 151 games for the club.  He missed 24 games because of suspension.

He was runner up in the club’s 1976 Best and Fairest award behind Graham Moss.

Andrew’s was Vice Captain in 1977,1978 and 1981 before being rewarded with the Captaincy in 1982 after Neale Daniher went down with injury. 

After missing out on selection in the 1983 Grand Final, Andrews crossed to Collingwood where he played another six games.

Rank your top four number fours below...