Countdown to Round 1, 2026. Day 56: Essendon Guernsey Number 56

With 56 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 56 has been worn by six Essendon players at senior level, spread across several distinct periods in the club’s history.

The first Bomber to wear the number was Pat Wellington, who played two senior games in 1972. He was followed by Stephen Robins, who wore the jumper for two games in 1974, before Paul McDonald appeared in the number for a single game in 1975.

In 1976, Jack Mihocek, father of Magpie-cum-Dee Brodie wore Number 56 for two games, kicking three goals, the most ever recorded in the jumper.

The number then disappeared from the senior side until 1987, when Brendon Moore wore it for one game.

Most recently, Sam Michael pulled on Number 56 for two games in 2016, a season played under extraordinary circumstances, with Essendon relying on top-up players to field a side and a number of higher guernsey numbers briefly reappearing.

Across its history, Guernsey Number 56 has been worn for 10 senior games in total, making it a number defined by short stints rather than long-term ownership.

As the countdown continues, Don The Stat will explore every guernsey number worn by an Essendon player, one day at a time.

Next up: Day 55 and Jumper Number 55.