Countdown to Round 1, 2026. Day 28: Essendon Guernsey Number 28

With 28 days to go until Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, Don The Stat continues its daily countdown through Essendon’s guernsey history.

Guernsey Number 28 has been worn by Essendon players across more than a century, linking early VFL football to modern-day contributors, and appearing repeatedly in Premiership success.

The earliest wearer was Ern Hazel in 1912, but the jumper’s first major chapter belonged to Jack Garden, who wore #28 from 1920 to 1926, playing 111 games. Garden was a member of Essendon’s 1923 and 1924 Premiership teams, embedding early success into the number’s story.

The jumper again found longevity through Paddy Walsh, who wore #28 from 1927 to 1936, playing 115 games, before passing into the wartime period. Sid Silk wore the number during this era and was part of Essendon’s 1942 Premiership side.

The defining figure of Guernsey Number 28 is Alec Epis, who wore the jumper from 1958 to 1968, playing 180 games. Known as “The Kookaburra”, Epis was a member of Essendon’s 1962 and 1965 Premiership teams, and his 180 games rank as the 8th most games played in the number across VFL/AFL history.

In the 1980s, Paul Weston wore #28 from 1983 to 1985, playing 60 games and contributing to Essendon’s 1984 and 1985 Premiership sides.

In more recent times, Mark Johnson began his Essendon career wearing #28 in 1999, before moving to Guernsey Number 1, where he would later win a Premiership.

The current wearer of Guernsey Number 28 is Xavier Duursma, who has worn the jumper since 2024 and will continue into 2026.

Milestone players in Guernsey Number 28

• 50+ games Peter Daniel (94), Paul Weston (60), David Flood (58), Mitch Brown (55), Ray Watts (52)

• 100+ games Paddy Walsh (115), Jack Garden (111)

• 150+ games Alec Epis (180)

Guernsey Number 28 stands as a number defined by longevity, resilience, and Premiership pedigree.

Next up: Day 27 and Jumper Number 27.