Former Australian Football League (AFL) premiership player John Barnes will run as a candidate for Pauline Hanson's One Nation in the Victorian state seat of Essendon during the 2026 election.
Barnes, 52, had a notable AFL career spanning over a decade, playing 202 games. He began with Geelong in 1992, reaching the 1994 Grand Final, before joining Essendon in 1997. During his time with the Bombers, he was a key figure in their successful 2000 premiership season, playing in all 24 matches of their dominant Grand Final victory. He also played in Essendon's 2001 Grand Final team and was a consistent contributor during their back-to-back Grand Final appearances.
After his AFL career, Barnes transitioned to local community involvement, securing a seat on the Moonee Valley Council in 2024. He previously worked for Hume City Council as a garbage collector.
Barnes has also spoken publicly about health issues, including epilepsy, memory loss, and neurological problems, which he attributes to repeated concussions and head knocks during his AFL career. He has joined other former players in raising awareness about the risks of head trauma in sports.
The Essendon seat is expected to be competitive, with Labor's Katerine Theodosis and Liberal candidate Tommy Le Deux also vying for the position following the retirement of incumbent Danny Pearson. Barnes stated on his candidate profile that he is committed to representing "hardworking Australians" who feel overlooked and advocates for a "zero-tolerance" approach to repeat offenders, prioritizing victims.
One Nation is increasing its campaign efforts in Victoria, unveiling a new slate of upper house candidates alongside leader Pauline Hanson. Recent polling from 6-11 August indicates One Nation is gaining traction, with 22 percent of the primary vote, surpassing the Greens and nearing Labor's support. The Liberal-National Coalition leads with 32 percent, while Labor holds 23 percent. These figures, if maintained, could lead to One Nation's strongest electoral performance in Victoria and a significant increase in their influence in the state's upper house.
