It was only a couple of weeks ago that Essendon tied Fitzroy with the most number of debutants in a single season in the AFL era (excluding expansion sides).
Now Essendon will have that record all to themselves, as the Bombers are set to name 19-year-old Jayden Nguyen in the side for Saturday’s clash with Sydney, making him the side’s 14th debutant in 2025.
A trailblazer in his own right, Nguyen is the first VFL/AFL player to be of Vietnamese descent.
The defender has overcome a foot injury in the middle of the year to earn his selection, as a potential matchup with Sydney superstar Tom Papley awaits.
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“I’d just woken up from a nap and I’m like ‘Scotty’s (Essendon coach Brad Scott) calling me?’” Nguyen told the club’s website.
“He told me to keep my plans for this weekend free because they were to get a fair bit better.
“It was the last thing I was expecting to hear, I’m still in a bit of shock.
“To have the opportunity to represent such a great club, I’m just super happy and can’t wait to get started on my journey.”
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Essendon have had to look to an increasing number of debutants this year, after a horror run of injuries.
The Bombers currently have the competition's longest injury list, an unwanted record that has contributed to the decision to part ways with its head of high performance Sean Murphy.
Defender Jordan Ridley was the latest Bomber to be sidelined, after he sustained a hamstring strain in last Friday's 93-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Nguyen makes his way into the side after impressing with 19 disposals against Footscray in the VFL on the weekend of his 19th birthday.
With Nguyen due to debut on Saturday, it will leave 2024 draftees Kayle Gerreyn and Rhys Unwin as the only players on the club's list without a career game.