Essendon premiership player Adam Ramanauskas has returned to the football club to launch this season’s ‘Clash for Cancer’.

Ramanauskas played 134 games for the Bombers.

But midway through his career, he was diagnosed with cancer.

His teammates rallied around the former Dandenong Stingray in 2003 and again in 2006 when the cancer came back.

“Dean Solomon was adamant we were going to do something about it and show support for Adam,” Ramanauskas’ former Captain James Hird said.

The players donned yellow armbands despite the threat of an AFL fine and ten years on the tradition continues with players wearing a special jumper with yellow incorporated into the sleeve. 

“A lot of good has come out of that game in 2006,” Ramanauskas said.

“The club has been able to raise a lot of money and awareness."

Ramanauskas’ former Coach Kevin Sheedy said the cause had special meaning at Essendon with the club losing many great contributors including Ron Evans and Bruce Heymanson to the disease.

Sheedy also reflected on what Ramanauskas’ career hay have looked like if he wasn’t struck down in his prime.

“He could have won a Brownlow but just to see him alive is the best thing,” Sheedy said.