As the number five guernsey, in many ways I have always been the symbol of the unsung hero.

I have been present since the club’s first match in 1987 against Richmond, and have taken part in 425 games for 236 wins, three draws and 186 losses.

I’ve played in four grand finals, winning two of them, one in 1992 and one in 2006.

The only years where I didn’t make an appearance were 1995 and 2002.  

The first man to wear me was Dwayne Lamb.

Highly underrated and the ultimate team player, Lamb would be the first player (meaning I was the first jumper) to reach 50, 100 and 150 games for the club, and played a key role in the club’s first flag in 1992.

After missing every game of 1995, Andy Lovell took the reins in 1996.

A short stint, but not without its success, Lovell wore me for three seasons, playing finals in each year. He played 43 games for 25 wins and 18 losses.

Chad Morrison, who had played for three seasons in jumper 42, was given me in 1999.

It wasn’t a particularly successful period for me or the club, but Morro gave his all and was a solid player in a tough time.

Then in 2005, Tyson Stenglein took over.

He came to the Eagles and immediately helped shoot the club, and me, back into a grand final, but we fell agonisingly short.

But together we backed it up in 2006, and this time we were successful beating Sydney by a point, bringing up our third premiership.

Stinga played 102 games over his five seasons and we had a great time together.

In 2010, Brad Ebert donned the number five, and experienced both the highs and lows of footy in his time wearing me.

In his debut season, we finished last, but spectacularly turned it around in 2011 to finish fourth. Ebert moved back to his home state of South Australia after the 2011 season.

And now a young gun called Brad Sheppard is wearing me.

We've been together for a while now, and in the last few year's my man Shep has really hit his straps down back. He is remarkably consistent and took out the 2015 Player of the Finals award. Good man, Shep!

Jumper no.5 timeline
1987 Dwayne Lamb 21 games (won 10, lost 11)
1988 Dwayne Lamb 23 games (won 13, lost 10)
1989 Dwayne Lamb 18 games (won 7, lost 11)
1990 Dwayne Lamb 23 games (won 16, drew 1, lost 6)
1991 Dwayne Lamb 23 games (won 18, lost 5)
1992 Dwayne Lamb 23 games (won 17, drew 1, lost 5)
1993 Dwayne Lamb 15 games (won 8, lost 7)
1994 Dwayne Lamb 5 games (won 4, lost 1)
1996 Andy Lovell 23 games (won 16, lost 7)
1997 Andy Lovell 16 games (won 7, lost 9)
1998 Andy Lovell 4 games (won 2, lost 2)
1999 Chad Morrison 23 games (won12, lost 11)
2000 Chad Morrison 22 games (won 7, drew 1, lost 14)
2001 Chad Morrison 11 games (won 3, lost 8)
2003 Chad Morrison 10 games (won 8, lost 2)
2004 Chad Morrison 18 games (won 10, lost 8)
2005 Tyson Stenglein 22 games (won 17, lost 5)
2006 Tyson Stenglein 26 games (won 20, lost 6)
2007 Tyson Stenglein 21 games (won 14, lost 7)
2008 Tyson Stenglein 22 games (won 8, lost 14)
2009 Tyson Stenglein 11 games (won 3, lost 8)
2010 Brad Ebert 22 games (won 4, lost 18)
2011 Brad Ebert 22 games (won 16, lost 6)
2012 Brad Sheppard 12 games (won 6, lost 6)
2013 Brad Sheppard 13 games (won 7, lost 6)
2014 Brad Sheppard 14 games (won 5, lost 9)
2015 Brad Sheppard 25 games (won 18, drew 1, lost 6)
2016 Brad Sheppard 23 games (won 16, lost 7)

NB The history of jumper no.5 includes only players who have represented the club at senior level during qualifying rounds and finals

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