Countdown to Round 1, 2026 - Day 16: Essendon Guernsey Number 16

With 16 days to go until Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, the Don The Stat Guernsey Countdown continues with Guernsey Number 16.

The number first appeared in Essendon colours during the 1911 finals series, worn by Bill Walker, marking its introduction into the club’s on-field history.

The first long-term wearer of the jumper was Percy Ogden, who wore 16 across multiple stints between 1912 and 1921, playing 141 games. Ogden was a member of Essendon’s 1912 Premiership team, and remains one of the earliest long-serving custodians of the number.

In the 1920s, Justin McCarthy wore Guernsey 16 from 1923 to 1926, playing 42 games and featuring in Essendon’s back-to-back Premiership sides in 1923 and 1924.

The number continued to be worn by a wide range of contributors across the decades, before Graeme Johnston added to its legacy. Johnston wore 16 from 1962 to 1967, playing 71 games and winning Premierships in 1962 and 1965.

In the AFL era, Paul Barnard became synonymous with the jumper. Wearing 16 from 1996 to 2003, Barnard played 140 games, kicked four goals in the 2000 Grand Final, and became a fan favourite after arriving via the trade that sent Paul Salmon to Hawthorn.

Today, Archie Perkins is the modern standard bearer for Guernsey 16. Since debuting in 2021, Perkins has already passed 100 games in the number and continues to build a significant career at the club.

Milestone Players in Guernsey Number 16

• 50+ games (6) Bruce Anderson (97), Graeme Johnston (71), Steven Taubert (64), Greg Tate (70), Tayte Pears (70), Paul Hamilton (94)

• 100+ games (3) Percy Ogden (141), Paul Barnard (140), Archie Perkins (101)

Guernsey Number 16 has been worn by Premiership players across multiple eras and now sits firmly in the hands of Essendon’s next generation.

Next up: Day 15 and Jumper Number 15.