ESSENDON is bordering on a unique slice of AFL history, with the club announcing that young ruck Vigo Visentini will become its 11th debutant of the season in Thursday night’s clash with Fremantle.
Visentini’s maiden appearance will make the Bombers just the 13th non-expansion side in the AFL era to use 11 debutants or more in a single campaign, just two shy of a 34-year record held by Fitzroy.
The last side to use 11 debutants in a single campaign came almost a decade ago in 2017, when North Melbourne – under now-Essendon coach Brad Scott – also brought through 11 youngsters across the course of its season.
Visentini, a highly rated 19-year-old ruck that stands at 204cm, has impressed at VFL level across recent months and will replace rested veteran Todd Goldstein for Thursday night’s clash with Fremantle.
He follows in the footsteps of fellow Bomber debutants in Isaac Kako, Tom Edwards, Saad El-Hawli, Archer Day-Wicks, Lewis Hayes, Angus Clarke, Zak Johnson, Luamon Lual, Archie May and Lachie Blakiston this season.
Archer May during the round 14 match between Essendon and Geelong at the MCG, June 14, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Visentini’s inclusion also means there are just five listed Essendon players remaining without an AFL appearance to their name, with Liam McMahon, Jayden Nguyen, Rhys Unwin, Kayle Gerreyn and Oskar Smartt the only uncapped Bombers left.
Essendon suffered a dispiriting 95-point defeat to Geelong on Saturday that leaves Scott’s side at 6-7 for the season, with injury ravaging the Bombers’ campaign and forcing the club’s hand at the selection table.
Geelong was three years per player older than Essendon over the weekend, while the Cats also had almost 47 games of experience per player more than their opponents as well.
11 debutants in a single season (AFL-era only)
Not including expansion teams
13 Fitzroy (1991)
12 Richmond (2010)
12 Brisbane (1991)
12 Sydney (1990)
11 Essendon (2025)*
11 North Melbourne (2017)
11 Brisbane (2011)
11 Fremantle (2009)
11 Brisbane (2005)
11 St Kilda (1995)
11 Richmond (1993)
11 Sydney (1992)
11 Melbourne (1992)
