Countdown to Round 1, 2026. Day 51: Essendon Guernsey Number 51

With 51 days to go until Essendon’s Round 1 clash against Hawthorn, Don The Stat continues its daily countdown through the club’s guernsey history.

Guernsey Number 51 has been worn by four Essendon players at senior level, with appearances spread across multiple eras of the club’s history.

The first Bomber to wear the number was Sandy Talbot, who played five senior games in 1970 wearing Number 51.

The jumper next appeared in 1974, worn by Gary Fitzpatrick, who played seven senior games and kicked six goals, the most goals ever kicked in the number at Essendon.

In 1996, Peter Berbakov wore Guernsey Number 51 for 17 senior games, making him the longest-serving Essendon player in the jumper. His 17 games in the number are the 4th most in VFL/AFL History.

The most recent wearer of Number 51 was Ryan Crowley, who played eight senior games in 2016, kicking two goals during a season played with top-up players.

Across its history, Guernsey Number 51 has been worn for 37 senior games, making it a jumper defined by short appearances rather than long-term ownership.

Next up: Day 50 and Guernsey Number 50.