Don The Stat

🐶 Every man and his dog has put out a draft ranking. We figured the dog could use some company.
So here it is. Another bl**dy draft ranking. Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume count down Jono’s Top 30 for the 2026 AFL National Draft, and Humey makes him earn a few of those calls.
🎥 Jono’s been through full games and every-involvement edits across under-18 and state league footy. We get into the details that can change a ranking: who sees the next option before the ball arrives, who stays clean when the pressure comes, and whose best tricks will still work when the game gets quicker and the bodies get bigger.
🔥 The top five are tight. How much do you back explosive upside? What can a less prolific junior show you that a 30-possession player doesn’t? And what finally tipped Jono’s call at No. 1?
🔴⚫ Then it’s over to the Bombers. Who are we taking at Pick 1? How does that decision change what we do with 17, 22 and 25? Who would we trade up for? And how early would we match a bid for Blake Justice?
🎧 Get the full countdown on Don The Stat, with Jono’s in-depth player profiles available on Patreon.
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The 2026 AFL National Draft is just around the corner, and Rick Edwards is back on Don The Stat to reveal his FINAL Top 30 draft rankings!
After following the draft crop throughout the year, watching countless games and reviewing his extensive collection of vision, Rick has locked in his final rankings. With just over two weeks until draft night, we go through all 30 players and discuss where the biggest differences lie between Rick's rankings and the broader draft consensus.
There are plenty of talking points, particularly for Essendon fans, with the Bombers holding Pick 1 and several other selections to navigate.
As always, Rick isn't afraid to go against the consensus, and his final rankings offer plenty of food for thought ahead of the National Draft.
Thanks to Rick for another fantastic contribution to Don The Stat throughout the 2026 draft season.
Subscribe to Don The Stat for more Essendon analysis, player reviews, draft discussion and AFL content.
Go Dons!
 
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Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/
Follow Us on Twitter:
Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh 
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Essendon's list is taking shape, but where do the Bombers still need to improve ahead of the 2026 AFL National Draft?
On this episode of Don The Stat, Ian is joined by Tommy Wolfe, creator of the Reading the Play blog (https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/), to break down Essendon's list position by position and identify the biggest needs heading into November's draft.
With another crucial stage of the rebuild approaching, we assess the quality and depth of the current list, examine where the Bombers have enough options and pinpoint the positions where recruiting young talent should be a priority.
🏉 IN THIS EPISODE
🔴 Essendon's trade period and off-season list changes
🔴 Key forwards: Is there a long-term partner for Nate Caddy?
🔴 Small forwards: Do the Bombers need a genuine pressure player and goal threat?
🔴 Key defenders: Is this Essendon's biggest list weakness?
🔴 Midfielders: Do the Bombers need another inside-outside option?
🔴 Assessing the depth across the wings, ruck and defensive positions
🔴 The positions Essendon should prioritise at the 2026 National Draft
🔴 Potential draft targets, including key defenders, small forwards and midfielders
🔴 Who should Essendon target with its first live pick?
🔴 Three draft prospects who could make this a successful draft for the Bombers
Tommy brings his knowledge of the draft crop and Essendon's list to the discussion, helping us work through the key questions facing the club as it continues its rebuild.
What position should Essendon prioritise at the draft? Let us know in the comments!
Subscribe to Don The Stat for Essendon analysis, AFL draft discussion, player reviews, list management and plenty of debate about the future of the Bombers.
Up the Dons!
#Essendon #AFLDraft #DonTheStat

🔥 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!
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Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat
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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.
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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
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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! 🔴⚫
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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
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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.

Jono and Ian award the Don The Stat Best and Fairest award - the Jack Kirby Medal. Who's been voted the best performed Essendon player in 2026.
Plus, the first ever Damian Barrett award for Worst Essendon take is announced. 
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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
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Make your own Tierlist: https://tiermaker.com/create/essendon-player-ratings-2026-19810700?presentationMode=false
Who starred, who struggled and who landed somewhere in between? 🔴⚫
Ian is joined by Josh Wilson to review every Essendon player who featured at senior level in 2026, handing out grades from S to D.
Who deserves an S? Who found themselves in Struggletown? And where did Ian and Josh disagree?
Plus, a look at the appointment of Mark McVeigh and the big takeaways from the back end of the season.
___
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
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