BANNISTER, Jordan

Jordan Bannister was drafted by Essendon in the 2000 National draft with pick number 47.

He made his senior debut against Adelaide in Round 12, 2001, playing four games for the season. His running skills and marking ability saw him used in the mid-field and as a half-forward.

He was limited by a severely injured ankle to just five games in 2002 season. He also played five games in 2003 before his season was ruined by a dislocated shoulder blade.

Bannister was traded by Essendon at the end of the 2004 season to Carlton with Cory McGrath. This trade saw Justin Murphy and Matthew Allan join Essendon from Carlton.

He played 53 games for Carlton before being delisted at the end of the 2009 season.

He then took up umpiring under the AFL's Player Pathway Profile in 2010 and had a very successful career. He umpired his first VFL game at the end of the 2010 season and was elevated to the senior list in 2012. Ironically his first AFL game was round 1, 2012 in a match between Essendon and North Melbourne. In all, he umpired 17 VFL and 97 AFL games.

His father, Wayne, was an Australian welterweight boxing champion.