In keeping with the theme round, Essendon will present former players with their debut guernsey prior to the match between the Bombers and the Bulldogs. Essendon chairman Graeme McMahon will present guernseys to the following players:
Russell Blew – jumper no. 716
Graeme Johnston – jumper no. 724
Charlie Payne – jumper no. 725
Geoff Leek – jumper no. 640
Hugh Mitchell – jumper no. 660
Brian Donohoe – jumper no. 682
Ken Fraser – jumper no. 693
Kevin Parks – jumper no. 694
Barry Capuano – jumper no. 709
Terry Rodgers – jumper no. 722
Howard Staehr – jumper no. 818
David Flood – jumper no. 918
Brad Fox – jumper no. 958
Barry Young – jumper no. 986
Mark Fraser – jumper no. 993
Matthew Banks – jumper no. 1004
ESSENDON SALUTES TRADITION
Essendon and the other 15 AFL clubs will salute the traditions and history of the game this weekend when the players wear a heritage guernsey. David Hille helped the AFL launch the Heritage theme round yesterday at The Dome. The basic Essendon guernsey design has been unchanged since the then-VFL began in 1897, and the club's jumper in fact pre-dates the VFL competition by some 25 years.
