Countdown to Round 1, 2026 - Day 18: Essendon Guernsey Number 18

Don TheStat
Feb 23
2 min read

With 18 days to go until Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, the Don The Stat Guernsey Countdown turns to one of the club’s most famous numbers — Guernsey Number 18.

The number was first worn during the 1911 finals series by George McLeod, who was part of Essendon’s 1911 Premiership side, immediately establishing the jumper as a Premiership number.

In the following decade, Paddy Shea became the first long-term wearer of 18, playing 70 games and winning a 1912 Premiership.

Across the middle of the 20th century, the jumper continued to be associated with success. Vince Irwin was a member of the 1923 Premiership side, while Les Gardiner wore the number for 150 games and collected Premierships in 1946, 1949 and 1950.

The 1960s brought further silverware with Graeme Beissel in 1962 and Greg Brown in 1965.

From 1977 to 1990, Paul Vander Haar elevated the number into the modern era, playing 201 games, kicking 278 goals, and winning Premierships in 1984 and 1985. He ranks 9th all-time for goals kicked in Guernsey 18 across VFL/AFL history.

The number then became immortalised through Matthew Lloyd, who wore 18 from 1995 to 2009. Lloyd played 270 games, kicked 926 goals, won the 2000 Premiership, and today holds the VFL/AFL record for goals kicked in Number 18, while ranking second all-time for games played in the jumper.

More recently, Michael Hurley wore the number for 184 games between 2010 and 2022, becoming one of Essendon’s most reliable defenders.

In 2025, Lewis Hayes debuted in Guernsey 18 but suffered an ACL injury in his first senior appearance. He is expected to resume wearing the number in 2026.

Milestone Players in Guernsey Number 18

50+ games (4) Paddy Shea (70), Greg Brown (83), Barry Grinter (78), Vince Irwin (55)
100+ games (1) Reg Burgess (124)
150+ games (1) Michael Hurley (184), Les Gardiner (150)
200+ games (1) Matthew Lloyd (270), Paul Vander Haar (201)

Guernsey Number 18 stands as one of Essendon’s most decorated jumpers — spanning Premierships from 1911 to the modern era and worn by some of the club’s greatest names.