Paul Salmon - Essendon Career

Essendon Career

He made his debut in 1983 with Essendon, however it was during the '84 season in which he established himself as the league's leading full forward kicking 63 goals in 12 games. His effectiveness in the position was due to his athleticism and ability to win one-on-one marking contests using his height and mobility. Despite leading the goalkicking, half way through the season a serious knee injury which required a full reconstruction left him sidelined for over a year, he recovered to kick 6 goals 4 behinds in the '85 premiership side. From this point onward he would rotate between full forward and his favoured ruck position with all time great Simon Madden. He endured further minor complications with his knee injury and numerous soft tissue injuries over the next few years and was never allowed to settle in a specific role on field, despite this he played a vital role for the team becoming Vice Captain in '92 and culminating in 7 leading goalkicker awards and the '93 premiership where he kicked 5 goals. After serious injuries to his achilles and groins in '93 and '94, and with the knowledge time was running out, he decided his time as a 'Bomber' was over at 31 years of age so he requested a new home and was subsequently traded to Hawthorn, the club whom he supported as a child. He was selected in Kevin Sheedy's best team of his 27 years as coach and at number 26 in the 'Champions of Essendon' which was a list of the best of the past century who wore the red and black.