Adam Ramanauskas has had one of the most chronicled football careers of modern times. He came late to football preferring basketball as a youngster and was drafted in 1998, as selection no. 12. Ramanauskas made his Essendon debut in Round 8, 1999, played two games that season and won the Reserves Best and Fairest, to complete a successful first season. By 2000, the Club's best season in history, "Rama" established himself as a first team regular playing in every game that year but one. His timing could not have been better as the team swept all before it and he played in the pre-season premiership and the premiership win over Melbourne. By season's end he had a premiership medal around his neck, had won the Club's Most Improved award and was runner-up in the Norwich Rising Star award. While 2003 looked on track to be another stellar year for Ramanauskas, a benign lump on his neck was found after Round 3 and he required surgery which put him out for eight weeks. His return in Round 12 was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd, but the cancer returned and he missed the last six games while undergoing treatment. He was presented with the Best Clubman Award at season's end. He won the respect of many by making his return to the game in 2004 after his serious illness. He played in all 24 games that year, kicking five goals for the season and polling 133 votes at the Best and Fairest. Ramanauskas played the first three games of the 2005 season before suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a training drill. He required a knee reconstruction, which left him sidelined for the rest of the season and placed him once again on the long-term injury list. He was rediagnosed with cancer in 2006 and didn't play a game while undergoing treatment. He returned to senior football in Round14, 2007, amid emotional scenes and finished with five games for the season. "Rama" played 18 games in 2008 and retired at the end of the year. He will be remembered for his versatility, pace and skill as a footballer, and for his courage in overcoming his illness. After his retirement, Ramanauskas was appointed to work with the young players of the Essendon Football Club.
Draft history: 1998 National AFL Draft - Selection No. 12 Player Honours:: TAC Cup Team of the Year 1998 Reserves premiership side 1999 Reserves Best and Fairest 1999 Ansett Cup premiership side 2000 AFL premiership side 2000 Rising Star Nominee 2000 Most Improved Player 2000 Best Clubman 2003 Most Courageous 2007 STATE HONOURS: Australian International Rep. V Ireland
Personal Information
Years Played: 1999-2008
Born: 19/11/1980
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Debut order: 1018
Number(s): 9
Games: 134
Goals: 53
Previous Clubs: Noble Park/Dandenong U18s
