A look at the list reveals some interesting names and stories.
Phil Carman is better remembered for his career at the Collingwood Football Club before he arrived at Windy Hill via the Melbourne Football Club. Those who were at Moorabbin in Round 5 1980 - in what was Carman’s fourth game for the Bombers - probably remember ‘Fabulous‘ Phil Carman for another reason. His 20-game suspension from that day was a record and his Essendon career lasted exactly half as long; 10 games. Carman was a nomad who played the game from Norwood in Adelaide to Collingwood, Melbourne, Essendon, North Melbourne in Melbourne and then Canberra and eventually country Victoria.
George Goninon managed one game less than Carman in a different era and for a very different reason. Goninon debuted in Round 12, 1948 and kicked four goals and then booted three goals the next week. In Round 1, 1949 a young full-forward named John Coleman kicked a record 12 goals on his Essendon debut and Goninon’s career at full-forward never recovered. He managed another six games before heading to Geelong where his playing career really took off. Goninon was the Cats’ leading goalkicker from 1950 to 1953 and also played in back-to-back premiership in 1951 and 1952. He was also the league’s leading goalkicker in 1951 with 86 goals (Coleman was second) and his premiership win that year, coincidentally, was over Essendon.
By the way, Essendon one-gamer, Jim Bates, is also the oldest living league player. Jim celebrated his 99th birthday in June this year and Essendon past players and officials Greg Sewell, Barry Capuano and Kevin Parks made the trip to Nathalia to help Jim blow out his candles.
