Countdown to Round 1, 2026. Day 43: Essendon Guernsey Number 43

With 43 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 43 has been worn by 14 Essendon players, evolving from a high-number oddity into one of the club’s most recognisable modern jumpers.

The first Bomber to wear the number was Kevin Egan, who played eight senior games in 1965. Egan wore Number 43 in Essendon’s 1965 Grand Final victory, giving the jumper an immediate place in Premiership history.

Across the late 1960s and 1970s, the number was worn in short stints by a number of players, including Robert Thompson, Max Crow, Ray Smith, and Paul McDonald.

In 1983, Alan Ezard wore Number 43 for eight senior games early in his career before switching numbers. Ezard later became a dual Premiership player in 1984 and 1985, though not while wearing this jumper.

The jumper’s modern legacy was shaped by Dean Rioli, who wore Guernsey Number 43 from 1999 to 2006, playing 100 senior games and kicking 91 goals. Rioli’s record was later surpassed by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who wore the jumper from 2016 to 2021 and again in 2023, playing 133 senior games and kicking 157 goals. McDonald-Tipungwuti became a cult hero, known for his energy, flair, and ability to turn games.

Milestone players in Guernsey Number 43

• 100+ games (2) Dean Rioli (100 games), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (133 games)

McDonald-Tipungwuti and Rioli rank 4th and 9th for the most games in VFL/AFL History in the Number 43. They rank 3rd and 4th for the most goals in the number.

Other wearers in the modern era include Bachar Houli, Michael Hibberd (who later moved into Number 1) and Kurt Aylett.

Across its history, Guernsey Number 43 has been worn for over 350 senior games, blending Premiership beginnings with modern-day cult status.

Next up: Day 42 and Guernsey Number 42.