Show Notes
22 years. No finals wins. No premiership challenge. So how did Essendon get here? On September 4, 2004, Essendon defeated Melbourne by five points in an elimination final at the MCG. It remains the last time the Bombers have won a game in September. With Essendon now entering another rebuild under Mark McVeigh, this is an attempt to explain how the club went from the powerhouse of the 1990s to more than two decades of frustration — and, more importantly, what needs to change. There isn't one person to blame. There isn't one decision that explains everything. Across the past quarter of a century there have been poor decisions, missed opportunities, bad timing and plenty of bad luck. But there is one recurring theme: Impatience. Every time Essendon appeared to be getting back on its feet, the club seemed to make a decision designed to accelerate the process. Sometimes those decisions were understandable. Some even appeared to work initially. But time and again, the shortcuts ultimately pushed the Bombers backwards. We look at the major turning points across the past 25 years, including: 🔴 The luck that helped build the 1990s powerhouse⚫ How stagnation after 2000 contributed to the club's decline🔴 The drafting failures of the early 2000s⚫ The Matthew Knights era🔴 The decision to appoint James Hird⚫ The Essendon supplements saga and its enormous consequences🔴 The post-Saga rebuild under John Worsfold⚫ The trades for Smith, Saad, Stringer and Dylan Shiel🔴 The loss of Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia⚫ The impact of COVID and the 2020 draft🔴 The decline and rebuilding of the VFL program⚫ The Rutten/Worsfold succession🔴 The Brad Scott era and the decision to finally embrace the draft⚫ What went wrong — and what actually went right — under Scott🔴 And finally, the enormous challenge facing Mark McVeigh The key lesson isn't that Essendon needs another saviour. It needs patience. ____ Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/ Follow Us on Twitter and Bluesky: Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh / https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjwalsh.bsky.social Ian at twitter.com/Kyptastic1 / https://bsky.app/profile/kyptastic.bsky.social Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
More from Don The Stat
🔥 It's back! The annual Don The Stat Hot Takes episode! No stats. No research. No preparation. And absolutely no idea what's coming next. After a season Essendon supporters would rather forget, we're throwing our usual analytical approach out the window and handing the microphone to YOU! With more than 100 hot takes submitted by our Patreon community, Essendon Reddit and followers on X, Humey has handpicked some of the most controversial, outrageous and thought-provoking opinions for Jono to tackle completely unprepared. 🌶️ On the menu this year: 🔴 The Rebuild: Did Essendon leave it too late? Are we closer to finals than anyone thinks? And have we made the right calls at the trade table? 🏉 The Players: Is Zach Merrett's seven Crichton Medals more a reflection of his brilliance or the lack of competition? Is Archie Roberts overrated? And who's our next number one ruckman? 🧠 The Coaching Conspiracy: Was the McVeigh appointment part of an elaborate plan involving Andrew Welsh, John Longmire and James Hird? Grab your tinfoil hats! 🎯 Draft Controversies: Is Ethan Drever overrated? Could Blake Justice be a top-five player from this draft? And are we looking at the wrong players? 🏆 Bold Predictions: Finals within two years? A new captain by 2028? And could the Bombers name itself eventually disappear? 📊 Plus: We reveal the community's predictions for Essendon's 2027 ladder position and Crichton Medal winner. And just when Humey thinks he's escaped unscathed, Jono turns the tables with a hot take of his own involving Nate Caddy and Matthew Lloyd. 👀 It's passionate, occasionally ridiculous, and guaranteed to divide opinion. 🎧 Welcome to Don The Stat. Where, for one night only, the stats don't matter! 🔴⚫ Stay Safe & Go Dons! ____ Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/ Follow Us on Twitter and Bluesky: Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh / https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjwalsh.bsky.social Ian at twitter.com/Kyptastic1 / https://bsky.app/profile/kyptastic.bsky.social Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Trade period is done, and Essendon’s rebuild takes another turn. Jono and Humey assess the deals, the departures and what comes next as attention shifts towards the draft. 🔄 Merrett and Ridley depart: Did the Bombers get fair value, and what did completing both trades early allow Matt Rosa to do? 🔴⚫ Coleman and Bowes arrive: How Keidean Coleman could transform Essendon’s ball movement, and the experience, leadership and flexibility Jack Bowes brings to a young list. 🤔 The deals that didn’t happen: We discuss Nick Blakey, Gryan Miers and the pursuit of another early draft pick and whether holding onto future assets was the right call. 🧑🏫 Building the football department: Daniel Pratt and Paul Thomas join the coaching team, while we examine the roles of John Longmire and Craig Vozzo and the increased emphasis on player development. 👀 Who should we take at pick one? We compare Arki Butler, Heath Mellody, Ethan Drever and Gus Teixera, consider how they fit Essendon’s needs, and look at the draft capital being assembled for 2027 and beyond. Plus, Jayden Nguyen’s new deal and the list decisions still to come. 📚 Find Jono’s draft dossiers on the Don The Stat Patreon, with a seven-day free trial available. The Ethan Drever report is free to read at donthestat.com. ____ Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/ Follow Us on Twitter and Bluesky: Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh / https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjwalsh.bsky.social Ian at twitter.com/Kyptastic1 / https://bsky.app/profile/kyptastic.bsky.social Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Where does Zach Merrett rank among the greatest players in Essendon history? After winning a record-equalling seventh Crichton Medal before his departure from the Bombers, Merrett finds himself alongside club legends Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchinson in the record books. But how does his career stack up against the champions who came before him? On this episode of Don The Stat, Ian is joined by historian, author and Essendon expert Dr Dan Eddy to revisit the iconic Champions of Essendon list, originally announced in 2002, and build an updated Top 30 of the club’s greatest players. Dan has written more than 20 books, including a biography of Dick Reynolds, and helped produce the club’s official history as part of Essendon’s 150th anniversary celebrations. He also hosts the Red and Black Project podcast. In this episode, we discuss: 🔴 Zach Merrett’s legacy: Do seven Crichton Medals put him among Essendon’s all-time greats? And how much should the club’s struggles affect his standing? ⚫ Revisiting the Champions of Essendon: Was the original Top 25 right? Which players could move up or down, and who was unlucky to miss out? 🔴 James Hird and Matthew Lloyd: How did the final chapters of their careers change their standing among the Bombers’ greatest players? ⚫ The new additions: We assess the cases for Dustin Fletcher, Jobe Watson, Scott Lucas and Zach Merrett, considering their individual achievements, longevity, leadership and impact on the club. 🔴 The final Top 30: We reveal our updated rankings and leave one spot open for you to decide! Who deserves to be included among Essendon’s greatest players? Have we ranked Zach Merrett correctly? And which Bomber has been overlooked? Let us know your updated Champions of Essendon Top 30 in the comments! Subscribe to Don The Stat for Essendon analysis, AFL discussion, player reviews, draft coverage and more. Go Dons! 🔴⚫ ___ Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/ Follow Us on Twitter and Bluesky: Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh / https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjwalsh.bsky.social Ian at twitter.com/Kyptastic1 / https://bsky.app/profile/kyptastic.bsky.social Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
It’s done. Zach Merrett is a Hawk. 🎙️ Jono and Ian jump on for a short reaction episode as Essendon trades its former captain to Hawthorn for picks 15, 25 and a 2028 second-round selection. 🔎 We give our first impressions of the deal, assess the return and discuss what losing Merrett means for Essendon’s midfield and the next phase under Mark McVeigh. 🔴⚫ After 274 games and seven Crichton Medals, a significant chapter in Essendon’s history closes. We reflect on Merrett’s contribution, the emotions surrounding his departure and where the Bombers go from here.
A big appointment off the field and big decisions on it. Essendon’s off-season is gathering pace. Jono and Ian unpack the latest developments and preview a trade period that could significantly reshape the Bombers’ list. 🐎 Longmire joins the BombersWe discuss what John Longmire’s arrival means for Mark McVeigh, the coaching group and player development, alongside the additions of Brent Prismall and Shane Mumford. Are the Bombers putting the right support around their new coach and young list? 🔄 Merrett, Ridley and the big trade questionsFresh from his seventh Crichton Medal, Zach Merrett’s future remains a major talking point. We assess Hawthorn’s opening offer, what Essendon should demand and whether a player could be part of the deal. We also discuss Jordan Ridley’s potential move, Darcy Parish’s place in the side and the risks of moving on from Ben McKay. 🎯 Who could come in?We look at Jack Bowes, Laitham Vandermeer and the attributes Essendon appears to be targeting. What do the missed opportunities tell us about the club’s approach, and how should the Bombers balance experienced recruits with opportunities for their developing players? 📝 Contracts, delistings and AFL assistanceNic Martin’s long-term commitment provides some welcome good news. We reflect on the latest departures, the players still awaiting decisions and how Essendon could use its two additional rookie spots. Including the case for bringing in experienced leaders. 🔮 Pick one and the bigger pictureShould Essendon hold the first pick or consider splitting it? We share our early thoughts on the draft, look ahead to the 2027 free agency market and discuss how Tasmania’s arrival could influence the Bombers’ list strategy. 🏆 Plus, our reflections on an extraordinary Grand Final and what Essendon can learn from the teams at the top.