Don The Stat

Don The Stat Countdown to 2026 - 30 Days to Round 1

We are officially 30 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980.In 2026, we’re kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we’re counting them down through Essendon’s guernsey numbers.
Who wore it first.Who wore it most.Which Premiership players pulled it on.Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.
 
By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.
 
Jumper Number 30 — a number that has quietly carried Premiership players, long-serving contributors, and now the next generation.
We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 29 and Guernsey Number 29.
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Jono / Ian 

Xavier Duursma joins Don The Stat: Role Clarity, Leadership, and Taking the Next Step at Essendon

In this episode of Don The Stat, we sit down with Xavier Duursma as he reflects on his third pre-season at Essendon Football Club and why this one feels like a turning point.After playing the most games of his career in 2025, Xavier speaks openly about how his body is tracking, the confidence that comes from continuity, and how that’s allowed him to fully invest in his game.We dive into:
his role heading into 2026 and what it demands
the differences between playing wing and half-forward
what he brings to Essendon’s forward line
the impact of new Assistant Coach Dean Solomon
his leadership aspirations and what growth off the field looks like for him
how his brother is settling in at West Coast Eagles
and what excites him most about Essendon in 2026, including big praise for Jordan Ridley and the club’s new draftees.
It’s a conversation about role clarity, trust in your body, learning from strong coaches, and stepping into greater responsibility all pointing toward why Xavier believes 2026 could be an exciting year.🎧 A must-listen for Bombers fans tracking how this list and its leaders are evolving.
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Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
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Jono / Ian 

Don the Stat Countdown to 2026 - 31 Days to Round 1

We are officially 31 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980.In 2026, we’re kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we’re counting them down through Essendon’s guernsey numbers.
Who wore it first.Who wore it most.Which Premiership players pulled it on.Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.
 
By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.
 
Jumper Number 31 — a number that grew into greatness, and ultimately became inseparable from one of the greatest careers the game has seen.
_______________________
Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
Don The Stat on Facebook 
Don The Stat on Instagram 
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Jono / Ian 

Don The Stat Countdown to 2026 - 32 Days to Round 1

We are officially 32 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980.In 2026, we’re kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we’re counting them down through Essendon’s guernsey numbers.
Who wore it first.Who wore it most.Which Premiership players pulled it on.Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.
 
By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.
 
Jumper Number 32 — a number defined by longevity, leadership, and Premiership success across generations.
We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 31 and Guernsey Number 31.
_______________________
Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
Don The Stat on Facebook 
Don The Stat on Instagram 
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Jono / Ian 

Don The Stat Countdown to 2026 - 33 Days to Round 1

We are officially 34 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980.In 2026, we’re kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we’re counting them down through Essendon’s guernsey numbers.
Who wore it first.Who wore it most.Which Premiership players pulled it on.Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.
 
By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.
 
Jumper Number 33 — a number rich in Premiership history, longevity, and attacking excellence.
_______________________
Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
Don The Stat on Facebook 
Don The Stat on Instagram 
Follow Us on X / Twitter
Jono / Ian 

Don The Stat Countdown to 2026 - 34 Days to Round 1

We are officially 34 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980.In 2026, we’re kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we’re counting them down through Essendon’s guernsey numbers.
Who wore it first.Who wore it most.Which Premiership players pulled it on.Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.
 
By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.
 
Jumper Number 34 — a number that carries Premiership history, generational links, and the start of several important Essendon journeys.
_______________________
Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
Don The Stat on Facebook 
Don The Stat on Instagram 
Follow Us on X / Twitter
Jono / Ian 

Don The Stat Countdown to 2026 - 35 Days to Round 1

We are officially 35 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980.In 2026, we’re kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we’re counting them down through Essendon’s guernsey numbers.
Who wore it first.Who wore it most.Which Premiership players pulled it on.Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.
 
By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.
 
Jumper Number 35 — a number defined by durability, Premiership success, and long-term service.
_______________________
Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
Don The Stat on Facebook 
Don The Stat on Instagram 
Follow Us on X / Twitter
Jono / Ian 

Don The Stat Season 2026 Opener: Optimism, Pessimism? Where Are Essendon At?

The 2026 season is officially underway at Don The Stat.
With just weeks until Essendon’s first practice match and Round 1 against Hawthorn looming, Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume return for the first formal episode of the year to take stock of where the Bombers are really at.
In this season opener, the boys cover:
Year five of Don The Stat and the growing Patreon community
The 2026 countdown series exploring every Essendon jumper number
A quiet but encouraging off-season and what “no news” actually means
The ongoing CEO search and whether it should concern supporters
A first entrant for the 2026 Terrible Media Takes Award (an award that has a new name)
Insights from club media day, including interviews with Darcy Parish and Xavier Duursma
Three reasons for optimism heading into 2026
Three genuine areas of concern
Listener questions on improvement areas and realistic ladder position
Plus, a look ahead at what’s coming next at Don The Stat HQBalanced, honest, and grounded in evidence - this is your starting point for the 2026 Essendon season.
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Don The Stat Countdown to 2026 - 36 Days to Round 1

We are officially 36 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980.In 2026, we’re kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we’re counting them down through Essendon’s guernsey numbers.
Who wore it first.Who wore it most.Which Premiership players pulled it on.Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.
 
By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.
 
Jumper Number 36 — a number tied to Premierships, resilience, and one of the most famous family moments the game has ever seen.
_______________________
Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
Don The Stat on Facebook 
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Jono / Ian 

Darcy Parish joins Don The Stat. Fatherhood, Fitness, and Finding His Best for 2026

In this episode of Don The Stat, we sit down with Darcy Parish for one of his most open and reflective conversations yet.
Darcy talks through the recent news of he and his wife expecting their second child in August, and how fatherhood is reshaping his perspective both on and off the field.
We talk about his fitness - why he made the trip to Baltimore in search of answers, and the collaboration between Darcy, Essendon’s high performance team, and external specialists to rebuild him physically.
From there, Darcy opens up on:
what “fit and firing” actually looks like for him now
the role he sees himself playing in 2026
the teammates he’s most excited to line up alongside
and why there’s a genuine sense of belief building at Essendon Football Club.
🎧 A must-listen for Bombers fans heading into 2026.
 
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Links:
Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat Don The Stat Patreon
Don The Stat on Facebook 
Don The Stat on Instagram 
Follow Us on X / Twitter
Jono / Ian