Countdown to Round 1, 2026. Day 39: Essendon Guernsey Number 39

With 39 days to go until Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, Don The Stat continues its daily countdown through the club’s guernsey history.

Guernsey Number 39 has been worn by 11 Essendon players, spanning more than six decades and linking multiple eras of the club.

The first Bomber to wear the number was Ian Graham, who played two senior games in 1962. He was followed by Allan Hird, who wore the jumper across four games between 1966 and 1967, and is best known as the father of Essendon great James Hird.

During the 1970s, the number became more settled with Pat Wellington, who played 56 games between 1973 and 1976, and Neil “Nobby” Clarke, who wore Number 39 across 44 games from 1977 to 1981 before switching to Number 8. Clarke later became a member of Essendon’s 1984 and 1985 Premiership teams.

Damien Hardwick wore Number 39 from 1994 to 1997, playing 65 senior games before switching to Number 11, where he became a member of Essendon’s 2000 Premiership team.

The longest-serving wearer of Guernsey Number 39 is Heath Hocking, who wore the jumper from 2007 to 2017, playing 126 senior games and defining the modern identity of the number.

Most recently, Vigo Visentini wore Number 39 in 2025 before moving to Number 17 ahead of the 2026 season.

Milestone players in Guernsey Number 39

• 50+ games (2) Pat Wellington (56 games), Damien Hardwick (65 games)

• 100+ games (1) Heath Hocking (126 games)

Guernsey Number 39 stands as a jumper closely tied to development pathways and long-term ownership.

Next up: Day 38 and Guernsey Number 38.