Don The Stat

Round 18, 2026: Lions Await as the Rebuild Rolls On

Essendon heads north to take on the reigning premiers in one of the toughest assignments of the season.
This week on Don The Stat, Jono and Humey unpack another frustrating loss to St Kilda, but also examine the encouraging signs emerging beneath the surface under interim coach Dean Solomon. From improved defensive structure and clearance numbers to the development of young guns like Robey, Sharp and El-Hawli, is there more progress than the scoreboard suggests?
The boys also discuss:
The coaching search and what Essendon's football department could look like in 2027
The debate around Zach Merrett and whether the Bombers made the right call
Essendon's bold move for Jed Walter
How Brisbane has rediscovered its premiership form
Selection news, tactical match-ups and the keys to challenging the Lions at the Gabba
As always, there's plenty of stats, analysis and honest discussion as the Bombers continue laying the foundations for the future.
🎙️ Don The Stat — Proudly supported by our Patreon community. Go Dons!
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Round 17, 2026: Can the Bombers Break the Cycle Against the Saints?

Essendon returns to Marvel Stadium searching for just its second win of the season after another frustrating performance against North Melbourne. Jonathan Walsh is back from Europe alongside Ian Hume as the boys review the Kangaroos loss, discuss the concerning trends that continue to hold the Bombers back, and question some of the recent selection and positional decisions.
They also unpack the club's coaching search, the latest on a potential AFL assistance package, Jack Bowes trade speculation, and hand out another Damian Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award. Plus, a full preview of Sunday's clash with St Kilda, including the Saints' strengths, selection changes, key match-ups, tactical battles, and what Essendon must do to give themselves every chance of causing an upset.
As always, the episode finishes with final thoughts and reasons for Bombers fans to stay hopeful heading into Round 17. 🖤❤️
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Round 16, 2026: Can Essendon Get Revenge on North? Trade Rumours, Coaching Talk & Post-Bye Priorities

The bye is over and Essendon returns for a big opportunity in their Round 16 clash against North Melbourne.
With finals out of reach but plenty still to play for, Ian Hume and Josh Wilson break down why the final nine weeks of the season remain important for the Bombers' future. They discuss Essendon's disappointing loss to Melbourne, the key statistical areas that need improvement, and what Dean Solomon's game style comments could mean for the remainder of 2026.
The boys also dive into:
The latest coaching rumours and what Essendon should be looking for in its next senior coach
Trade speculation surrounding Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley and Darcy Parish
Essendon's reported interest in Jed Walter and Lachie Neale
Five things they want to see from the Bombers after the bye
North Melbourne's improvement in 2026 and where the Roos can be exposed
Selection headaches with Caldwell, McGrath, Parish, Kako and El-Hawli all returning
Key tactical battles that could decide the game
Predictions for Essendon's quest to secure its first Melbourne win in over a year
Can the Bombers respond after the bye and gain revenge for their Round 3 defeat to North Melbourne? Tune in as Don The Stat previews a massive Sunday afternoon clash.
#DonTheStat #Essendon #AFL
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Bombers Mid-Season Patron Q&A | Rebuild Reality, Coaching Candidates & Draft Dreams

The Don The Stat Patreon community takes centre stage in our annual Mid-Season Q&A Special!
With Essendon sitting at a crossroads in 2026, Ian Hume and Jonathan Walsh tackle a huge range of supporter questions covering the biggest issues facing the club.
🔴 Is there anything positive to take from the season so far?⚫ Who should coach Essendon in 2027 – James Hird, James Kelly or John Longmire?🔴 Can fans trust the club to make the right decision this time?⚫ What should Essendon's list strategy be over the next two years?🔴 Which experienced players should the Bombers target through free agency?⚫ Who has actually improved this season?🔴 What's the ideal midfield mix moving forward?⚫ What does the future hold for Elijah Tsatas?🔴 Should Essendon take Harry Van Hattum or Akay Barker at the top of the draft?
Plus plenty more discussion on the rebuild, player development, culture, leadership, draft strategy and where the Bombers go from here.
A huge thank you to all our Patreon members who submitted questions and joined us live for another fantastic Q&A session.
#DonTheStat #EssendonFC #AFL
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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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Stay the Course or Start Again? Tommy Wolfe on Essendon's Future

Is Essendon still on the right path, or has the club blinked at a critical moment in its rebuild?
This week on Don The Stat, Ian is joined by Tommy Wolfe from Reading The Play (https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/) for a deep dive into the Bombers' future following the shock departure of Brad Scott.
Tommy discusses why he believes Essendon is still two strong drafts away from completing its talent base, where the Bombers sit compared to successful rebuilds such as Melbourne and Fremantle, and whether it's possible to sack a coach without abandoning a long-term vision.
The conversation also explores:
🔴 Was Brad Scott the right coach at the wrong time?⚫ How many more years should Essendon prioritise the draft?🔴 The risks and rewards of chasing quick improvement through trades and free agency⚫ Why some rebuilds succeed while others become stuck in AFL's middle ground🔴 The growing momentum behind James Hird's coaching candidacy⚫ Essendon's dream 2026 draft and trade period🔴 The impact of Tasmania's arrival on list management⚫ What Tommy would change about AFL drafting, free agency and list rules
Plus, Tommy shares his journey with Reading The Play, his favourite Essendon memories, and why he believes the Bombers must avoid repeating the mistakes of "old Essendon."
If you're interested in list building, recruiting, AFL strategy, and where Essendon's rebuild goes from here, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.
___
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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Round 14, 2026: Can the Bombers Repeat the Gather Round Formula?

Essendon heads to the MCG to face a Melbourne side that has transformed into one of the competition's most dangerous teams since the Bombers upset them during Gather Round.
With Jono away in England, Ian is joined by long-time Don The Stat patron and tactical analyst Josh Wilson to break down Essendon's loss to Carlton, assess the early signs of the Dean Solomon era, and preview a massive challenge against the Demons.
🔴 Topics include:
What Essendon did right at centre bounce against Carlton
Why the Bombers continue to struggle with inside 50 connection
Ben McKay's surprising impact as a forward
Zach Merrett's move to half-back and whether it works
The emergence of Nick Bryan and Sullivan Robey
What's changed under Dean Solomon?
Injury updates and the cavalry arriving after the bye
Melbourne's rise into the top five
Nick Bryan's biggest test yet against Max Gawn
How Essendon can repeat the formula that worked in Gather Round
Key match-ups and tactical battles to watch
Plus, Ian and Josh discuss the future direction of the club, the continued development of Essendon's young core, and what success should look like for the remainder of the 2026 season.
📊 Don't forget to check out this week's Draft Rankings special with Rick Edwards and keep an eye out for Sunday's coaching and club direction discussion with Tommy Wolfe from Reading The Play.
🎙️ Like, subscribe and join the conversation.
#AFL #EssendonFC #DonTheStat
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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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Follow Us on Twitter and Bluesky:
Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh / https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjwalsh.bsky.social
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Essendon’s Rebuild Starts Here | Rick Edwards’ June 2026 Top 20 Draft Rankings

Support Rick at his Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards
With Essendon's 2026 season spiralling and the AFL Draft becoming the major source of optimism for Bombers fans, we welcome back one of the most respected talent watchers in the Essendon community — Rick Edwards.
In this special Don The Stat episode, Rick reveals his exclusive Mid-Season Top 20 AFL Draft Rankings and breaks down the players every Essendon supporter should be watching ahead of the National Championships.
We discuss:
🏆 The state of Essendon's season and whether Brad Scott's sacking was the right call
🏆 James Hird's coaching prospects and what the Bombers should prioritise in their rebuild
🏆 Why Harry Van Hattum is currently Rick's No.1 prospect
🏆 Arki Butler, Ethan Drever, Kodah Edwards, Harvie Cook and the other elite talents climbing draft boards
🏆 Who Essendon could target with multiple early selections
🏆 The latest on NGA prospects Justice, Bewick, Jed Naim, Darwish and Rodan
🏆 Rick's experience watching the Vic Metro vs Vic Country trial match
🏆 The players who could rise rapidly during the National Championships
If you're already looking ahead to the future of the Essendon Football Club, this is the draft episode you've been waiting for.
Don't forget to check out Rick's Patreon for exclusive training reports, vision and draft analysis, and follow him on X at @BomberRicko.
🔴⚫ #GoDons
____
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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Round 13, 2026: Essendon v Carlton Preview | Rivalry Night, AFL Assistance & Can Solomon Spark a Response?

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Essendon and Carlton. The ladder might say one thing, but this rivalry always means something.
This week on Don The Stat, Jono and Humey review Dean Solomon's first game as interim coach following the Bombers' disappointing loss to West Coast and examine what, if anything, changed on-field.
The boys dive into:
The clearance dominance that failed to translate into scoreboard pressure
Nick Bryan's emergence as a genuine AFL ruckman
The departures of Ben Jacobs and Ben Robbins
Another brutal injury update involving Archie May and Lewis Hayes
Essendon's request for AFL assistance and what support could look like
Whether key defence has suddenly become a list priority
Carlton's resurgence under Josh Fraser
The Blues' dangerous centre bounce game and how Essendon can combat it
Selection dilemmas ahead of a huge Sunday night clash at the MCG
Plus, the Damian Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award returns and an obscure stat about identical twins rucking against each other.
All that and plenty more in another big edition of Don The Stat.
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
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Round 12, 2026: Essendon drama, Solomon Takes Over

It has been one of the biggest weeks in recent Essendon history.
After another injury-hit loss, this time to Richmond in Dreamtime at the ‘G, the Bombers sit 1-10 and anchored to the bottom of the AFL ladder. The fallout only intensified with the sacking of Brad Scott, another wave of media scrutiny, and Dean Solomon stepping in as interim coach.
On this week’s Don The Stat Match Preview, Jono and Ian reflect on an emotional and draining week for the Essendon community, the deeper meaning behind supporting the club, and what comes next for the Bombers.
The boys break down:
The decision to move on from Brad Scott
Whether Essendon’s long-term strategy can survive another coaching change
The resilience shown in the Richmond loss despite more injuries
Darcy Parish’s enormous Dreamtime performance
Kane Cornes earning a Barrett Award nomination
Mid-season draftee Jaxon Artemis and what he adds to the list
West Coast’s improvement in 2026 and the challenge awaiting in Perth
The tactical and structural changes fans want to see under Dean Solomon
There’s also discussion around Essendon’s youth movement, list build, clearance struggles, Harley Reid, Bailey Williams, Jake Waterman and how the Bombers can respond after one of the toughest weeks the club has faced in years.
A reflective, emotional and analytical episode from the Don The Stat team.
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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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Ian reacts to Brad Scott's Sacking

This was recorded on Patreon live earlier this evening. Ian gives his reaction to Brad Scott's sacking and interacts with Patrons.
Jono will give his thoughts on our main show this Thursday