good a place as any to post
The great debut
Scott Cummings v Sydney at the MCG, round 14, 1994
Stats overview : 10 kicks, eight marks and eight goals
Only three players in AFL/VFL history have kicked more goals on debut than Cummings, whose eight-goal haul for the Bombers powered the club to a win over the Swans in 1994. It was a brilliant display from the strong and long-kicking full forward, and he went on to boot 32 goals in 10 games in his maiden season for Essendon at the top level. In an era of the game blessed with star key forwards across the competition, the Bombers looked to have uncovered another.
Career from here? Essendon was the first of four clubs Cummings played for during his career, with his best season coming for West Coast in 1999 when he booted 95 goals to win the Coleman Medal.
The false start
Jobe Watson v Geelong at Docklands Stadium (now Marvel Stadium) round 13, 2003
Stats overview : Two handballs, zero kicks, two tackles
There was plenty of hype ahead of Watson’s debut game, given the Bombers were keen to blood the son of former great and three-time premiership star Tim. The clash with the Cats came on a Friday night, and although the cameras were regularly focused on Watson, they didn’t capture too much action with Watson collecting just the two handballs. Essendon won comfortably so Watson ended the game with a big grin, but his first game wasn’t a sign of how his career would develop.
Career from here? Watson became one of the premier ball-winners in the competition, captaining Essendon and winning three best and fairests. - Callum Twomey
Jobe Watson, before his debut in 2003, poses in front of a mural of his famous father Tim. Picture: AFL Photos
