Rhys Unwin

Rhys Unwin
Unwin in April 2025
Personal information
Born	(2006-10-11) 11 October 2006 (age 20)
Original team	Greater Western Victoria Rebels (Talent League)
Draft	No. 61, 2024 national draft
Debut	Round 23, 2025, Essendon  vs. St Kilda, at Docklands Stadium
Height	179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Club information
Current club	Essendon
Number	38
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2025–	Essendon	5 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 22, 2026.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Rhys Unwin (born 11 October 2006) is a professional Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

AFL career

Unwin was drafted by Essendon with pick 61 in the 2024 national draft. ^[1]

Having spent most of his first season playing for Essendon's reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL), Unwin was selected to make his AFL debut in round 23. ^{[2] [3]} Unwin kicked a goal in his debut match, and made his debut in front of 150 supporters who travelled from his hometown of Cobden, Victoria, initially to see Essendon captain and fellow Cobden local Zach Merrett's 250th match. Merrett missed the match through injury, however they got to support Unwin in his AFL debut. ^{[4] [5]}

Unwin didn't play consistent football at the AFL level in his first two seasons, playing only three games in 2025 and four games in 2026. Nonetheless, he was rewarded with a one-year contract extension at the end of the 2026 season. ^[6]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 22, 2026. ^[7]

Legend

G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks

Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)							Votes
				G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2025	Essendon	38	3	1	1	15	5	20	7	2	0.3	0.3	5.0	1.7	6.7	2.3	0.7	0
2026	Essendon	38	2	0	0	3	8	11	2	4	0.0	0.0	1.5	4.0	5.5	1.0	2.0	0
Career			5	1	1	18	13	31	9	6	0.2	0.2	3.6	2.6	6.2	1.8	1.2	0

References

1. "Draft wrap: Bombers secure four more, solidify 2025 hand". Essendon Football Club. 21 November 2024.
2. "Unwin locked in for AFL debut". Essendon Football Club. 14 August 2025.
3. "Essendon announce another debutant ahead of Friday night clash". Zero Hanger. 14 August 2025.
4. "Without knowing, 150 fans booked tickets to see one of their own make AFL debut". The Standard. 14 August 2025.
5. "'Made it even more special': AFL debutant grateful for mass hometown support". The Standard. 17 August 2025.
6. essendonfc.com.au (2026-09-17). "Experienced midfielder, speedy youngster re-sign for 2027". essendonfc.com.au. Retrieved 2026-10-06.
7. "Rhys Unwin". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 August 2026.

External links

• Rhys Unwin's profile on the official website of the Essendon Football Club
• Rhys Unwin's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Rhys Unwin at AustralianFootball.com