Day 8 of the Countdown to Round 1, 2026  brings us to the history of Essendon Guernsey Number 8 , a jumper that has been worn by Premiership players, prolific goal-kickers, and some of the club’s most durable performers. The first recorded wearer of number 8  was Billy Griffith , who wore it during the 1911 finals series , the first time Essendon adopted numbered guernseys. The early decades saw the number shared among short-term wearers before Jimmy Sullivan  made it his own

As we continue the Countdown to Round 1, 2026 , Day 9 takes us through the long and varied history of Essendon Guernsey Number 9  — a number that has featured in Premiership teams, goal-kickers, and durable club servants. The first recorded wearer of number 9  was Dan Hanley , who wore it during the 1911 finals series , when numbered jumpers were first introduced at Essendon. From 1912 onward, the number became a permanent fixture, with Fred Kirkwood  wearing it during Essend

With 10 days remaining until Essendon opens its 2026 season, the Don The Stat Guernsey Countdown  reaches one of the most revered jumpers in football — Number 10 . Guernsey 10 was first worn by Jack Kirby  during the 1911 finals series , the year Essendon introduced jumper numbers. Kirby was part of the 1911 Premiership side , immediately embedding the number in club folklore. The number gained early stability through Dan Hanley , a 1912 Premiership player , before becoming s