A key piece of the 2025 Crichton Medal was the opportunity for Essendon to celebrate the dreams it fulfilled for a record 15 debutants over the course of the season.

Quick to make a mark both on-field and in the locker room with their free thinking, a group of Dons’ debutants from the year gave some quickfire answers looking back at the season that was, thanks to Liberty.

Where were our debutants when they found out they were playing?

Zak Johnson:

“I got called into Brad’s office when he told me – it was pretty surreal and went pretty quick.”

Angus Clarke:

“I was at a café down the road with Mason (Redman), Kayle (Gerreyn) and Rhys (Unwin), I was ecstatic with the news.”

Jayden Nguyen:

“I was actually sleeping after training and woke up from a nap to Scotty’s call – I told my dad straight away and the family just started celebrating, it was good vibes.”

Advice for future debutants?

00:54

Dreamtime | Clarke makes his mark with special debut goal

Angus Clarke wastes no time making an impact, taking a strong grab and converting truly to earn his first AFL major

Archer Day-Wicks:

"Just soak the crowd in and have a look around before the game starts."

Jayden Nguyen:

"Believe you belong. You’ve put in the work over the years so just go out and do what you do."

Angus Clarke:

"When you first run out, take a good deep breath and admire the stadium, the crowd you’re in and just the atmosphere."

Favourite free-thinking moment from the year?

00:28

Rd 1 | Kako’s cracking first goal lights up ‘G

Exciting Dons debutant Isaac Kako lands the opening major of the game with a dazzling effort off the deck.

Archer Day-Wicks:

"(Archer May’s) debut because I got to play in it!"

Isaac Kako:

"Mine would be Anzac Day."

Zak Johnson:

"Carlton the first time (King's Birthday Eve) – 90,000 at the ‘G was pretty cool."