Almanac Teams: Debuts with different happenings/milestones!

 

My first AFL team for 2025 is based on unusual or different debuts.

 

The team is not based on what the players listed but the unusual circumstances of their debut or what happened on their debut.

 

I have not listed players that played in the clubs first games as there was multiple players or players that debut in finals.

 

Please feel free to name any more as I am sure I have forgotten some.

 

Once again like past years this team is from 1980 but am happy to hear of earlier correspondence.

 

 

FB                        Paul Duffield (Frem)             Leo Barry (Syd)                               Peter Melesso (SM)

CHB                     Jack Hutchins (GCS)             Ray Hall (Rich)                                Jason Wild (Coll)

CE                         Ed Allan (Coll)                        Rick Norman (NM)                        Glenn Bowyer (Haw)

CHF                      Jeff Bruce (Fitz)                      Brett Chalmers (Adel)                  Mark Foyster (St.K)

FF                          Jacob Heron (GCS)               Jay Neagle (Ess)                              Con Gorozidis (St.K)

RU                        Nic Naitanui  (WCE)              Justin Blumfield (Ess)                    Darren Collins (Coll)

Inter                Peter Curtain (St. K), Jack Fitzpatrick (Melb), Michael Schulze (Gee) Clinton Wolf (Frem)

Sub                       Alastair Lord (Ess)

Emg                    Changkouth Jiath (Haw), Brodie Murdoch (St. K), Dean Polo (Rich), Nick Trask (Bne)

 

 

Paul Duffield – Round 5  v St. Kilda 2006 (171 Games Fremantle 2006-2015)

Duffield’s debut was at York Park Launceston in the infamous Sirengate match. This match was when Fremantle led by a point at the final siren, but the umpires never heard it and play continued with St Kilda scoring a point to draw the match. Four days later the AFL commission stripped St Kilda of the point and awarded the match to Fremantle.

 

Leo Barry – Round 22 v Collingwood 1995 (237 Games Sydney 1995-2009)

This would be Ron Barassi’s last of 482 games as Coach of Carlton, North Melbourne, Melbourne and Sydney. Barassi would sign off with 23 point win over Collingwood

 

Peter Melesso – Round 22 v North Melbourne 1981 (14 Games South Melbourne, St Kilda & West Coast 1981-85 & 1989-90)

Melesso would only play one game for South Melbourne, which was the last ever game at Lake Oval. South Melbourne would lose to North Melbourne by 33 points.

 

Jack Hutchins – Round 5 v Port Adelaide 2011 (19 Games Gold Coast 2011-2014)

Hutchins would debut in Gold Coast first ever win a 3 point win against Port Adelaide.

 

Ray Hall – Round 22 v Carlton 1999 (99 Games Richmond 1999-2006)

Hall debuted in the last round of the season on Friday night when the scoreboard in the Ponsford Stand caught fire. The match was delayed by approx. 30 minutes and Richmond won by 11 points.

 

 

Jason Wild – Round 4 v Essendon 1995 (70 Games Collingwood 1995-99)

Wild would debut in the first Collingwood v Essendon Anzac Day match which resulted in a draw.

 

Ed Allan – Round 12 v Fremantle 2024 (2 Games Collingwood 2024-)

Allan would debut against the team his dad Ben captained and also briefly coached. The match had a controversial finish as Collingwood tied with Fremantle kicking a goal from a stoppage free kick when the Collingwood player did not pass the football straight back to the umpire. The other debutant for Collingwood this night was Will Parker (5 Games 2024-)

 

Rick Norman – Round 1 v Collingwood 1985 (13 Games North Melbourne & Brisbane 1985-87)

Norman debuted along with Stephen Hickey (37 Games 1985-88) and Collingwood’s Tony Burgess (21 Games 1985-86), Russell Dickson (1985-87), James Manson (167 games 1985-95) was the opening match of the year, the first ever night match at the MCG. The match was a Friday night in front of 65,628.

 

Glenn Bowyer – Round 22 v Sydney 1999 (55 Games Hawthorn & Carlton 1999-2005)

Bowyer’s debut was the last ever match at Waverley Park where 72,130 would see Hawthorn win by 85 points

 

Jeff Bruce – Round 9 v West Coast 1995 (7 Games Fitzroy 1995)

Jeff Bruce made his debut at Bruce Stadium in the only game ever to be played at Bruce Stadium in Canberra. The stadium was not named after the debutant Jeff Bruce.

 

Brett Chalmers – Round 4 v Geelong 1994 (75 Games Adelaide & Port Adelaide 1994-99)

Chalmers had the honour on debut of the opposition side giving him a guard of honour for his debut. In a strange tactic Malcolm Blight advised all the Geelong players to stand by the Adelaide race as they ran onto Football Park. It didn’t work as Adelaide won by 27 points.

 

Mark Foyster – Round 4 v Geelong 1983 (9 Games St. Kilda 1983-84)

Foyster was the lesser known debutant this day with 17-year-old from Ballarat Tony Lockett also making his debut kicking 2 goals in a 11 point loss. Lockett though was not the big story of the day with St Kilda unveiling Silvio Foschini and Paul Morwood from the Swans in their first game for the Saints on this day. Foschini had won a restraint of trade the previous day to play for St Kilda, but Morwood had not been cleared yet.

 

Jacob Heron – Round 9 v Port Adelaide 2018 (13 Games Gold Coast 2018-19)

Heron was the first player to debut at Jiangwan Stadium Shanghai where Port Adelaide won by 40 points.

 

Jay Neagle – Round 22 v West Coast 2007 (28 Games Essendon 2007-10)

Neagle would make his debut in Kevin Sheedy’s last game as Essendon coach in 8-point loss to West Coast in Perth.

 

Con Gorozidis – Round 8 v Geelong 1980 (34 Games St Kilda & Footscray 1980-83)

Geelong v St Kilda at Kardinia Park was the first ever match I went to. Dad milked cows 90 minutes west of Geelong and despite being a Collingwood supporter he still liked to go to a match at KP, which we could leave halfway through the last quarter and still milk the cows and I was happy to go. I have no memory of the match except I wore my Richmond jumper as I was going to the footy. Gorozidis and Sean Godsell (2 Games 1980-81) for St Kilda would debut in a match the Cats won by 63 points.

 

Nic Naitanui – Round 12 v Richmond 2009 (213 Games West Coast 2009-2022)

Naitanui’s debut was against Vickery in the ruck with Naitanui wearing the Number 9 jersey formerly worn by Ben Cousins who was playing the Eagles for the first time. Richmond would win by 15 points.

 

 

Justin Blumfield – Round 10 v St Kilda 1996 (148 Games Essendon & Richmond 1996-2004)

Blumfield’s debut was most unusual. When the Bombers ran out in on a Saturday night in June at Waverley, Blumfield was not part of the 21. That Saturday night the lights went out at Waverley with 28 minutes left in the match and Essendon 14 points up. The match would conclude the following Tuesday night with two 14-minute quarters and each team could bring in players. Essendon would bring in debutant Justin Blumfield as well as James Hird. Essendon would win by 22 points

 

Darren Collins – Round 7 v Fitzroy 1985 (49 Games Collingwood, Footscray & Fitzroy 1985-90)

Collins first match between Victoria Park new formerly co-tenants. They would be co-tenants for just two years before Fitzroy would move to Princess Park. Fitzroy would win this match by 79 points.

 

Peter Curtain – Round 22 v Fitzroy 1984 (2 Games St Kilda 1984-85)

Curtain debuedt in the last ever game at the Junction Oval. By 1984 St Kilda had moved to Moorabbin with Fitzroy now playing home games at the Junction Oval. There were 734 games at the Junction Oval and in this match, Fitzroy won by 57 points.

 

Jack Fitzpatrick – Round 24 v Port Adelaide 2011 (26 Games Melbourne & Hawthorn 2011-17)

Fitzpatrick played in the first match at the Adelaide Oval where Port Adelaide won by 8 points.

 

Michael Schulze – Round 12 v Hawthorn 1985 (91 Games Geelong 1985-91)

Schulze’s debut was at Princess Park which saw melees, several reports and Leigh Matthews break Neville Bruns jaw off the ball and Steve Hocking break Leigh Matthews nose in retaliation. Hawthorn would win by 29 points.

 

Clinton Wolf – Round 7 v West Coast 1995 (4 Games Fremantle 1995)

Wolf was the sole player to debut in the first ever Western Derby which saw West Coast win by 85 points.

 

Alastair Lord – Round 8 v Hawthorn 2022 (1 Game Essendon 2022)

The sub rule in 2022 was as an injury sub. In this match Essendon did not have an injury and Lord did not get on the ground. From what I can see Lord is the only player to be named sub in their only match and not got on the ground. Essendon would win by 27 points

 

Changkouth Jiath – Round 21 v GWS 2019 (56 Games Hawthorn 2019-)

Jiath would debut on a Friday night in Canberra where the temperature reached 2.7c and snow fell during the first half. This suited Hawthorn in their 56 point win.

 

Brodie Murdoch – Round 5 v Sydney 2013 (22 Games St Kilda 2013-16)

Murdoch and Josh Saunders (22 Games 2013-15) would debut on Anzac Day in the first AFL overseas premiership match for points at Wellington. Sydney would win by 16 points.

 

Dean Polo – Round 6 v Essendon 2006 (77 Games Richmond & St Kilda 2006-12)

Polo’s debut was the first Dreamtime at the MCG and Polo starred in Richmond’s 2 point win winning the inaugural Yiooken Award. Also, to debut was Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (13 Games 2006-09)

 

Nick Trask – Round 10 v Sydney 1997 (12 Games Brisbane 1997-98)

Trask was the first player to debut for the newly merged club Brisbane Lions.

 

Others to debut

 

Paul Abbott – Roudn 13 v Melbourne 1984 (111 Games hawthorn & Fitzroy 1984-1993)

Abbott would debut in Leigh Matthews 300^th game in a shock loss to Melbourne by 17 points.

 

Luke Ablett – Round 13 v Fremantle 2002 (133 Games Sydney 2002-09)

Ablett’s debut is also Paul Roos first game as interim coach (then appointed at the end of the year). Sydney would win by 77 points.

 

Matthew Ahmat – Round 21 v Essendon 1991 (8 Games Brisbane & Sydney 1991-94)

Ahmat along with Ian Kidgell (3 Games 1991) for Brisbane would debut in the last ever match at Windy Hill, a match Essendon won by 45 points.

 

Liam Anthony – Round 13 v Western Bulldogs 2009 (58 Games 2009-14)

Anthony debuted in interim coach Darren Crocker’s first game where Bulldogs won by 22 points.

 

Daniel Archer – Round 2 v Richmond 2011 (1 Game 2011)

Archer’s only game was a draw with Archer kicking a point late in the game to bring St Kilda within a point.

 

Paul Atkins – Round 23 v Brisbane 1992 (2 Games Sydney 1992)

Atkins and Robert Neill (44 Games Syd & St. K 1992-97) would debut in Brisbane Bears’ last ever home game at Carrara before moving permanently at the Gabba. Brisbane would win by 59 points.

 

Zac Bailey – Round 4 v Richmond 2018 (140 Games Brisbane 2018-)

Bailey’s first match was at the MCG where Brisbane scored their lowest ever score kicking 2.5.17 in a 93-point loss.

 

Drew Banfield – Round 16 v Essendon 1993 (265 Games West Coast 1993-2006)

Banfield first games saw the Eagles lose by 2 points and then famously Kevin Sheedy wave his Bomber jacket above his head, which then started a rivalry with the Eagles and jacket weaving done on both sides of the country.

 

Jimmy Bartel – Round 1 v Essendon 2002 (305 Games Geelong 2002-2016)

Bartel while a great of the AFL along with David Johnson (79 Games 2002-09) would debut with Gary Ablett junior in a 50-point loss

 

James Begley – Round 20 v North Melbourne 1999 (61 Games St. Kilda & Adelaide1999-2005)

Begley’s debut was at the Saints last match at Waverley Park where they lost by 25 points.

 

Rupert Betheras – Round 3 v West Coast 1999 (85 Games Collingwood 1999-2003)

Betheras is the last Collingwood player to debut at Victoria Park when the Pies went down by 36 points. Betheras also played in the last ever match in Round 22.

 

Brett Bewley – Round 10 v Brisbane 2019 (25 Games Fremantle 2019-21)

Bewley would debut in Lachie Neale’s first game against his old team, which saw Fremantle win by 1 point.

 

Mark Bickley – Round 4 v Essendon 1991 (272 Games Adelaide 1991-2003)

Bickley’s debut would be in Adelaide’s only trip to Windy Hill where the Bombers won by 45 points.

 

Nathan Blee – Round 20 v Hawthorn 2012 (6 Games Port Adelaide 2012-13)

Blee’s debut would be interim coach Garry Hocking’s first at Port Adelaide. Hawthorn would win by 72 points.

 

Blaine Boekhorst – Round 4 v St. Kilda 2015 (25 Games Carlton 2015-17)

Boekhorst along with teammate Matthew Dick (6 Games 2015), debuted in the last of 3 games to be held at Wellington. Carlton would win by 40 points.

 

Nathan Bower – Round 24 v Carlton 1991 (74 Games 1991-98)

Bower along with Ty Esler (12 Games 1991-93) debuted in the match David Cloke, in his farewell game, kicked 8 goals and received his third consecutive 3 vote Brownlow game at age 36.

 

Stuart Bown – Round 6 v Hawthorn 2001 (4 Games Adelaide 2001)

Bown debuted at the first ever match at York Park Launceston where Adelaide lost by 13 points.

 

Nathan Brown – Round 1 v Fremantle 1997 (219 Games Western Bulldogs & Richmond 1997-2009)

Brown would be the first player to debut as a Western Bulldog rather than Footscray player in a 4 point loss.

 

Andrew Browne – Round 1 v Carlton 2009 (12 Games Richmond 2009-11)

Browne’ debut would be along Ben Cousins’ debut for Richmond in a match the Blues won by 83 points.

 

Simon Buckley – Round 14 v Carlton 2007 (47 Games Melbourne & Collingwood 2007-12)

Buckley’s debut coincided with Mark Riley’s first game as interim coach in a 23 point win.

 

John Butcher – Round 21 v Hawthorn 2011 (31 Games Port Adelaide 2011-16)

Butcher, with Tom Jonas (216 Games 2011-23) debut was also Port Adelaide’s biggest ever loss, losing by 165 points.

 

Jye Caldwell – Round 21 v Hawthorn 2019 (78 Games GWS & Essendon 2019-)

Caldwell would debut on a Friday night in Canberra where the temperature reached 2.7c and snow fell during the first half. This suited Hawthorn in their 56 point win.

 

David Cameron Round 5 v North Melbourne 1986 (56 Games Geelong & Brisbane 1986-91)

In 1986 the VFL had a double header at the MCG. The first match Melbourne v Sydney at 2:10pm followed by Geelong v North Melbourne at 5pm. Cameron was the only debutant on the day where North won by 62 points.

 

Tom Carr – Round 4 v Adelaide 1997 (5 Games Port Adelaide 1997-99)

Carr along with Stephen Daniels (58 Games 1997-2000) would debut in the first ever Showdown which Port won by 11 points.

 

Ross Christensen – Round 12 v Collingwood 1982 (12 Games Footscray & Geelong 1982-83)

Christensen’s first game was also Footscray new coach Ian Hampshire’s first game, while it was Collingwood interim coach Tom Hafey 2^nd game. Collingwood would win by 66 points.

 

Xavier Clarke – Round 3 v Port Adelaide 2002 (106 Games St Kilda & Brisbane 2002-10)

Clarke would debut on the same day as Shaun Burgoyne. Burgoyne would play 407 games until 2021 and would play in an 83-point win over the Saints.

 

Mitch Clisby – Round 13 v St Kilda 2013 (8 Games Melbourne 2013)

Clisby would debut in Neil Craig’s first game as interim coach of Melbourne.

 

Jason Cloke – Round 2 v West Coast 2002 (76 Games Collingwood 2002-06)

Cloke’s opposition debutant would be Chris Judd who starred in a 1 point win to Collingwood.

 

Josh Cowan – Round 10 v Gold Coast 2011 (16 Games Geelong 2011-17)

Cowan debuted in the match Gary Ablett played against Geelong for the first time. Geelong won by 66 points.

 

Harry Cunningham – Round 1 v GWS 2012 (208 Games Sydney 2012-)

This match was first battle of the bridge where Sydney won by 63 points. The Giants had 17 debutants for this match.

 

Chris Daniher – Round 17 v Sydney 1987 (124 Games Essendon 1987-97)

This match would see Essendon suffer their biggest loss ever losing by 163 points.

 

Cameron Delaney – Round 2 v GWS 2012 (6 Games North Melbourne 2012-13)

Delaney would debut in North Melbourne’s first home game at Bellerive Oval where North won by 129 points.

 

Scott Direen – Round 9 v Geelong 1993 (52 Games Sydney 1993-97)

Direen’s first game came on the day Richard Osborne had a sickening head clash with Dale Lewis and left the ground in an ambulance. Geelong won by 25 points.

 

Hugh Dixon – Round 23 v Port Adelaide 2019 (11 Games Fremantle & West Coast 2019-22)

Dixon only played one game for Fremantle which was also David Hale’s only game as coach following Ross Lyon’s resignation. Port Adelaide won by 43 points.

 

Nathan Drummond – Round 5 v Melbourne 2015 (5 Games Richmond 2015-16)

Drummond’s first game was the first Anzac Eve Night match between Richmond v Melbourne. Melbourne won by 32 points and sadly Drummond did his ACL.

 

Michael Dunstan – Round 1 v Carlton 1993 (43 Games Fitzroy & West Coast 1993-95)

Dunstan kicked the winning goal with seconds to play to give Fitzroy a six point win.

 

Ricky Dyson – Round 3 v West Coast 2004 (114 Games Essendon 2004-2012)

Dyson’s debut was the match where James Hird kicked the winning goal in a 6 point win and hugged an Essendon fan after Hird had a controversial week after criticism of umpire Scott McLaren.

 

Jake Edwards – Round 1v Richmond 2008 (5 Games Carlton 2008)

Edwards’ debut game was Chris Judd’s first game for Carlton in a 30 point loss.

 

David Ellard – Round 7 v West Coast 2008 (63 Games Carlton 2008-15)

Ellard’s first game was Chris Judd’s first game against West Coast. The match was at Subiaco and Carlton won by 37 points.

 

Robert Elphinstone – Round 2 v Hawthorn 1980 (157 Games St Kilda 1980-89)

Elphinstone’s debut was Mike Patterson’s last game as St Kilda coach with the Saints going down by 33 points. Alex Jesaulenko would coach the following week.

 

Matthew Fergusson – Round 12 v Port Adelaide 2003 (12 Games St Kilda 2003-08)

Fergusson was the first Saint to debut at Launceston for St Kilda where Port Adelaide won by 42 points.

 

Sam Flanders – Round 11 v Essendon 2020 (66 Games Gold Coast 2020-)

Flanders’ debut was in Gold Coast’s first ever draw.

 

Dustin Fletcher – Round 2 v Carlton 1993 (400 Games Essendon 1993-2015)

Fletcher’s debut was a famous draw where Stephen Kernahan had a shot at goal approx. 45 metres on an angle after the siren and kicked it on the full.

 

Jake Florenca – Round 8 v Brisbane 2022 (1 Game West Coast 2022)

Florenca sole game was under Matthew Knights as coach as Adam Simpson was unable due to Covid. Brisbane won by 75 points.

 

Nathan Foley – Round 10 v Melbourne 2005 (154 Games Richmond 2005-14)

Foley would debut in the match Nathan Brown suffered a horrible broken leg. Melbourne won by 57 points.

 

Cruize Garlett – Round 12 v Adelaide 2009 (32 Games North Melbourne 2009-2012)

Garlett debuted in Dean Laidley’s last game as coach which North Melbourne lost by 44 points.

 

Darren Glass – Round 4 v Adelaide 2000 (270 Games West Coast 2000-2014)

Glass would debut at the WACA in a match Scott Cummings kicked the biggest haul of goals with 14 at the WACA in a 114 point win for the Eagles.

 

Adrian Gleeson – Round 7 v Collingwood 1986 (176 Games Carlton 1986-1996)

Gleeson’s debut was a rare appearance in the 1980’s by Carlton at Victoria Park which won by 40 points.

 

Jack Graham – Round 22 v Fremantle 2017 (131 Games Richmond 2017-24)

Graham debuted in Fremantle’s last match at Subiaco in a match Richmond won by 104 points.

 

Rod Grinter – Round 2 v Hawthorn 1985 (134 Games Melbourne 1985-94)

Grinter’s debut was in the same match as Jason Dunstall debuted for Hawthorn in a 68 point win for Hawthorn.

 

David Hale – Round 5 v Carlton 2003 (237 Games North Melbourn & Hawthorn 2003-15)

Hale’s debut was the first time Carlton coach Denis Pagan would coach against North Melbourne which Carlton won by 9 points.

 

Josh Hall – Round 16 v Richmond 2012 (7 Games Gold Coast 2012-15)

Hall debuted in the match Karmichael Hunt kicked after the siren to give the Gold Coast a 2 point win.

 

Shaun Hart – Round 1 v Richmond 1990 (273 Games Brisbane 1990-2004)

Hart along with Brad Rowe (73 Games 1990-96) and Richmond’s Sean Bowden (6 Games 1990-91), Brendon Gale (244 Games 1990-2021), Chris Naish (161 Games 1990-99) and Stephen Ryan (51 Games 1990-94) all played in the first Saturday night match which Brisbane won by 59 points.

 

Ben Haynes – Round 19 v Fremantle 2000 (26 Games Richmond & Essendon 2000-05)

Haynes debuted in the last of 72 matches to be played at the WACA with Richmond winning by 27 points.

 

Ollie Hollands – Round 1 v Richmond 2023 (42 Games Carlton 2023-)

Hollands debuted with Lachlan Cowan (24 Games 2023-) in the first match of the 2023 Season which was a draw.

 

John Holt – Round 17 v Footscray 1981 (71 Games North Melbourne 1981-88)

Holt, along with Peter Smith (40 Games 1981-87) debut, was Barry Cable’s first game as coach of North Melbourne who would win by 9 points.

 

Josh Honey – Round 12 v Fremantle 2020 (17 Games Carlton 2020-23)

Honey’s debut was the match that Jack Newnes kicked a goal from outside 50 on the boundary after the siren to win by 4 points.

 

Allen Jakovich – Round 1 v West Coast 1991 (54 Games Melbourne & Footscray 1991-96)

Jakovich along with David Schwarz (173 Games 1991-2002) debuted in the lowest score ever at Subiaco with Melbourne kicking 2.8 and losing by 79 points.

 

Tew Jiath – Round 15 v North Melbourne 2024 (1 Game Collingwood 2024-)

Jiath’s debut was the match Collingwood came from 54 points down in the third quarter to win by 6 points.

 

Brad Johnson – Round 18 v Collingwood 1994 (364 Games Western Bulldogs 1994-2010)

Johnson debuted in the match Tony Shaw broke the record for most games for Collingwood passing Gordon Coventry’s 306 games. Bulldogs would win by 32 points.

 

Chris Johnson – Round 2 v Essendon 1994 (264 Games Fitzroy & Brisbane 1994-2007)

Johnson with John Barker (168 Games 1994-2006) and Jarrod Molloy (169 Games 1994-2003) debuted in Tim Watson 300^th game which Fitzroy won by 13 points.

 

Riley Knight – Round 15 v West Coast 2015 (55 Games Adelaide 2015-20)

Knighst’s debut was Scott Camporeale’s first game as interim coach which the Eagles won by 56 points.

 

Brian Lake – Round 21 v Carlton 2002 (251 Games Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn 2002-15)

Lake would debut in Terry Wallace’s last game as coach which Carlton won by 4 points.

 

Doulton Langlands – Round 18 v Western Bulldogs 2019 (3 Games St Kilda 2019)

Langlands’ debut was Brett Ratten’s first as St Kilda coach in which Saints won by 27 points.

 

Patrick Lipinski – Round 23 v Hawthorn 2017 (118 Games Western Bulldogs & Collingwood 2017-)

Lipinski’s debut would be in Robert Murphy’s last game as a Bulldogs player while Harry Morrison (103 Games 2017-) debut in the same game which was Luke Hodge’s last as a Hawk. Hawthorn would win by 9 points.

 

Jack Lucas – Round 13 v St Kilda 1982 (19 Games Sydney 1982-84)

Lucas was the first Swan to debut at the SCG in a 96-point win over St Kilda

 

Scott Lucas – Round 5 v Collingwood 1996 (270 Games 1996-2009)

Lucas was the first Essendon player to debut on Anzac Day in the second annual match between the two teams in a 12 point win for Collingwood.

 

Tom Lynch – Round 7 v Brisbane 2011 (220 Games Gold Coast & Richmond 2011-)

Lynch along with Sam Day (155 Games 2011-), Joseph Daye (4 Games 2011) and Brisbane Bryce Retzlaff (11 Games 2011) all debuted in the first ever Q clash which the Suns won by 8 points.

 

Brent MacAffer – Round 5 v Essendon 2009 (77 Games Collingwood 2009-16)

MacAffer’s Anzac Day debut was the famous match where David Zaharakis kicked a goal at the end to win by 5 points after being 14 points behind 5 minutes earlier.

 

Troy Makepeace – Round 4 v Geelong 2000 (139 Games North Melbourne 2000-06

Makepeace’s debut was in North Melbourne first ever home game at Docklands with North winning by 5 points.

 

Adam Marcon – Round 19 v GWS 2016 (2 Games Richmond 2016

Marcon’s debut was the match the lowest score conceded at Canberra with Richmond kicking 3.5 and losing by 88 points.

 

Todd Marshall-  Round 22 v Western Bulldogs 2017 (116 Games Port Adelaide 2017-)

Marshall’s debut was the first game ever at Ballarat with Port Adelaide winning by 17 points.

 

Greg McAdam – Round 1 v Sydney 1985 (10 Games St Kilda 1985)

McAdam with Frank Carbone (10 Games 1985-87), Robert Keeble (2 Games 1985) and Sydney’s Jamie Duursma (59 Games 1985-89), John Ironmonger (88 Games 1985-91), Darren McAsey (34 Games 1985-91) and Mark Russell (14 Games 1985) debuted in the biggest winning margin at Moorabbin with Sydney winning by 110 points.

 

Todd McHardy – Round 7 v Sydney 1996 (5 Games 1996-97)

McHardy would debut in 1996 in the 100^th year celebration of the VFL/AFL.

 

Adam McPhee – Round 7 v Sydney 2001 (223 Games Fremantle & Essendon 2001-12)

McPhee’s debut would be Damian Drum’s last game as coach before he was sacked mid year. Sydney won by 19 points.

 

James Meiklejohn – Round 5 v Melbourne 2003 (6 Games Sydney 2003-04)

Meiklejohn’s debut was in the first night match played on Anzac Day. Sydney won by 24 points.

 

Zach Merrett – Round 1 v North Melbourne 2014 (229 Games Essendon 2014-)

Merrett, with Patrick Ambrose (88 Games 2014-21), and Martin Gleeson (97 Games 2014-21) would debut in Dustin Fletcher’s record breaking 379^th game for Essendon. Essendon won by 39 points.

 

Harry Miller – Round 1 v Sydney 2005 (18 Games Hawthorn 2005-06)

Miller with Josh Thurgood (13 Games 2005-07) would debut in the same game as Lance Franklin would in a 63 point win by Sydney.

 

Michael Mitchell – Round 1 v West Coast 1987 (81 Games Richmond 1987-91)

Mitchell and fellow West Australian Peter Wilson (171 Games 1987-95) would debut in West Coast’s first ever game with the Eagles winning by 14 points.

 

Irving Mosquito – Round 13 v Richmond 2020 (4 Games Essendon 2020)

Mosquito’s debut was the Dreamtime game that was held in Darwin with Richmond winning by 12 points.

 

Kane Munro – Round 21 v Fremantle 2000 (18 Games West Coast 2000-03)

Munro’s debut was in the famous Derby match that had several brawls. Fremantle won by 1 point.

 

Brad Murphy – Round 20 v Port Adelaide 2004 (7 Games Western Bulldogs 2004-05)

Murphy’s debut was in the first match held at Marrara Oval Darwin, where Port won by 86 points.

 

Darren Murphy – Round 2 v Essendon 1985 (4 Games Fitzroy 1985)

Murphy along with Paul Tilley (15 Games 1985-87) debut was in Fitzroy’s first home at Victoria Park where Essendon would win by 103 points

 

David Murphy – Round 14 v Collingwood 1984 (156 Games Sydney 1984-93)

Murphy’s debut would be the game Tony Franklin would coach the Swans in his only match due to illness to Ricky Quade. Collingwood won by 31 points.

 

Ben Nason – Round 1 v Carlton 2010 (23 Games Richmond 2010-11)

Nason along with Relton Roberts (2 Games 2010) would debut alongside Dustin Martin in a 56 point win by Carlton.

 

Michael Newton – Round 13 v Essendon 2007 (28 Games Melbourne 2007-11)

Newton’s debut would be Neale Daniher’s last as coach as Essendon would win by 2 points.

 

Reilly O’Brien – Round 20 v Brisbane 2016 (121 Games Adelaide 2016-)

In O’Brien’s debut match Adelaide kicked 27.15.177 the highest score at the Adelaide Oval as Adelaide won by 138 points.

 

Shane Parker – Round 3 v Fitzroy 1995 (238 Games Fremantle 1995-2007)

Parker along with Jeff White (268 Games 1995-2008) would debut in Fremantle first ever win by 43 points.

 

Jack Petruccelle – Round 6 v Fremantle 2018 (88 Games West Coast 2018-)

Petruccelle’s debut would be in the first Derby game held at the Perth Stadium where West Coast would win by 8 points.

 

Andrew Phillips – Round 7 v Gold Coast 2012 (82 Games GWS, Carlton & Essendon 2012-23)

Phillips’ debut match would be GWS’ first ever win, beating Gold Coast by 27 points.

 

Michael Prior – Round 20 v Collingwood 1994 (90 Games Essendon & West Coast 1994-2002)

Prior’s debut was strange before the ball was bounced. As Collingwood ran through the banner Essendon was on the side and this sight would start an all-in brawl of all 42 players. Collingwood would win by 28 points.

 

Joel Reynolds- Round 3 v Brisbane 2002 (38 Games Essendon 2002-06)

Reynolds’ debut would be Kevin Sheedy 500^th Game as coach with Brisbane winning by 50 points.

 

Nick Riewoldt – Round 15 v Adelaide 2000 (336 Games St Kilda 2000-17)

Riewoldt with Chris Oliver (10 Games 2001-03) debuted in Malcolm Blight’s last ever as coach, with Adelaide winning by 97 points.

 

Jon Riggs – Round 18 v Footscray 1984 (6 Games St Kilda 1984-85)

Riggs’ debut was Tony Jewell’s last as St Kilda coach with Footscray winning by 33 points.

 

Aiden Riley – Round 19 v Port Adelaide 2011 (25 Games Adelaide & Melbourne 2011-15)

Riley’s debut was interim coach Mark Bickley’s first as coach with Adelaide winning by 32 games.

 

Willie Rioli – Round 2 v Western Bulldogs 2018 (90 Games WCE & Port Adelaide 2018-)

Rioli would debut with Jaymie Graham debut as interim coach due to Adam Simpson unavailability. West Coast would win by 51 points.

 

Michael Rischitelli – Round 17 v Adelaide 2004 (243 Games Brisbane & Gold Coast 2004-19)

In Rischitelli’s debut game Brisbane would get their highest score 29.15.189 and record their biggest win with 141 points.

 

Sam Rowe – Round 2 v Collingwood 2013 (100 Games Carlton & St Kilda 2013-19)

Rowe debut was the first time Mick Malthouse would coach against Collingwood, with Collingwood winning by 17 points.

 

Tim Ruffles – Round 15 v Adelaide 2009 (5 Games Fremantle 2009-10)

In Ruffles’ debut game Fremantle scored their lowest ever score of 1.7.13 losing by 117 points.

 

Liam Ryan – Round 1 v Sydney 2018 (105 Games West Coast 2018-)

Ryan along with Daniel Venables (21 games 2018-19) and Jake Waterman (104 Games 2018-) would debut in the first game at Perth Stadium.

 

Laurence Schache – Round 4 v Geelong 1990 (29 Games Brisbane 1990-91)

Schache’s first game was Brisbane’s first at the Gabba with Geelong winning by 102 points.

 

Tim Scott – Round 4 v Fitzroy 1995 (1 Game Sydney 1995)

Scott’s first game was the first time Paul Roos playing against Fitzroy. Sydney would win by 32 points.

 

Angus Sheldrick – Round 1 v GWS 2022 (9 Games Sydney 2022-)

Sheldrick’s debut would be the last of 55 games played at Stadium Australia with Sydney winning by 20 points.

 

Greg Stafford – Round 4 v Essendon 1993 (204 Games Sydney & Richmond 1993-2006)

Stafford’s debut would be coach Gary Buckenara’s last as Sydney coach as Essendon won by 86 points.

 

James Stewart – Round 23 v Gold Coast 2013 (78 Games GWS & Essendon 2013-22)

Stewart’s debut game would be Kevin Sheedy’s last ever as coach as Gold Coast won by 83 points.

 

Timothy Sumner – Round 10 v Geelong 2013 (17 Games Gold Coast 2013-14)

Sumner’s debut was in the first ever match held under lights at Kardinia Park which Geelong won by 52 points.

 

Keith Thomas – Round 4 v Brisbane 1987 (28 Games Fitzroy 1987-88)

Thomas along with teammate Mark Trewella (27 Games 1987-91) debuted in the first ever match played at Carrara.

 

Wayne Thornborrow – Round 7 v Sydney 1994 (13 Games St Kilda 1994-95)

Thornborrow debuted in the same match Tony Lockett kicked 11 for the Saints and cleaned up Peter Caven as the Saints won by 1 point.

 

Warren Tredrea – Round 2 v Essendon 1997 (255 Games 1997-2010)

Tredrea along with Nigel Fiegert (19 Games 1997-99) and Bowen Lockwood (50 Games 1997-2001) would debut at Port Adelaide’s first home game.

 

Adam Treloar – Round 3 v West Coast 2012 (254 Games GWS, Collingwood and Western Bulldogs 2012-)

Treloar’s debut was the only match ever played at Blacktown with Eagles win by 81 points.

 

Jason Tutt – Round 22 v Port Adelaide 2011 (40 Games Western Bulldogs and Carlton 2011-16)

Tutt and Ayce Cordy (27 Games 2011-15) debuted in interim coach Paul Williams’ first came as coach.

 

Tyrone Vickery – Round 12 v West Coast 2009 (125 Games Richmond & Hawthorn 2009-17)

Vickery’s first game was Jade Rawlings first as interim coach of Richmond and was also the first game of Ben Cousins against his old team.

 

Dante Viseniti – Round 16 v Essendon 2023 (6 Games Port Adelaide 2023-)

In Viseniti first game Daniel Houston kicked a goal from outside 50 after the siren to give Port Adelaide a 4 point win.

 

Marty Warry – Round 19 v Sydney 1995 (6 Games Fitzroy 1995-96)

Warry’s debut was Bernie Quinlan’s last as coach with Sydney helped by Tony Lockett’s 16 goals winning by 126 points.

 

Fergus Watts – Round 13 v Western Bulldogs 2004 (6 Games Adelaide and St Kilda 2004-06)

Watts’ debut was Gary Ayres last as coach with the Crows winning by 32 points

 

Jacob Wehr – Round 10 v West Coast 2022 (25 Games GWS 2022-)

Wehr’s debut was Mark McVeigh’s first as interim coach of GWS with the Giants winning by 52 points.

 

Simon Wiggins – Round 5 v St Kilda 2001 (116 Games Carlton 2001-09)

Wiggins and Jordan Doering (18 Games 2001-02) debuted against St Kilda who had unveiled recruit Aaron Hamill which bought out heated emotions from the Carlton faithful. Carlton would win by 33 points.

 

Alex Woodward – Round 18 v Sydney 2014 (2 Games Hawthorn 2014)

Woodward first game would be Buddy Franklin’s first game against Hawthorn at the MCG with Hawthorn winning by 10 points.

 

 

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