Don The Stat

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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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.
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Jono and Ian are joined by some of the Don The Stat Patrons to ask questions about Essendon past, present and future. 
We touch on list management, coaching styles, trade targets, the VFL and assistant coaches. 
____
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:
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The 2026 AFL Draft is getting closer — and Rick Edwards is back with another major update to his Top 20! 🔴⚫
Rick has watched 26 games live this season and has spent the year tracking the best young talent across the country. With the Under 18 seasons reaching their pointy end, his September rankings feature some BIG changes.
Check out Rick Edwards' draft work on Patreon — https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards
Subscribe to Don The Stat for more Essendon analysis, AFL draft discussion, rankings, statistics and list management content.
Go Dons! 🔴⚫
#AFLDraft #AFLDraft2026 #Essendon #DonTheStat #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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The curtain falls on one of the most difficult Essendon seasons in recent memory and it’s time to examine exactly what went wrong, what changed and whether there are genuine reasons to believe the Bombers can move forward under Mark McVeigh.
In our comprehensive 2026 Season Review, we discuss:
📊 The numbers behind Essendon’s struggles at both ends of the ground🔄 The differences between Brad Scott and Dean Solomon’s approaches🛡️ The late-season improvement in pressure, tackling and defensive intent🚨 The centre-clearance, turnover and uncontested-possession problems🧠 #Spikeball. The game plan Mark McVeigh may look to introduce in 2027⚡ Why Essendon desperately needs more speed, skill and front-half connection📋 The biggest priorities facing the club during the off-season🔴 Our three biggest positives and negatives from the season🌱 The development of Essendon’s exciting 2025 draft class⭐ The progress of Nate Caddy, Archie Roberts and Zach Reid💪 Peter Wright’s outstanding season as a forward-ruck🔀 The uncertain futures of Ben McKay and Jordan Ridley👀 Essendon’s pursuit of Artie Jones and the potential arrival of Dion Prestia🎁 What the Bombers might receive in an AFL assistance package🏟️ The VFL Bombers’ stirring finals victory at a packed Windy Hill
It wasn’t the season anybody wanted. But amid the disappointment, did the Bombers begin laying the foundations for something better?
We sift through the wreckage of 2026 and look ahead to the beginning of another new era at Essendon. 🔴⚫
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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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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.
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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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The 2026 season is over but a new Essendon era has already begun. 🔴⚫
We review the narrow final-round loss to Port Adelaide, Nate Caddy’s brilliant six-goal performance and the costly centre-bounce collapse that allowed the Power to escape with the win.
Then it’s onto the week’s biggest news: Mark McVeigh is Essendon’s new senior coach. We assess the process, the strengths Spike brings to the role, the support he’ll need around him and our experience interviewing him shortly after his appointment.
Plus, we thank Dean Solomon for his impact as interim coach, share our immediate reflections on a difficult but important season, celebrate the development of Essendon’s young core and preview the VFL elimination final at Windy Hill. 🎙️🏉
___
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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New Essendon Senior Coach Mark McVeigh joins Don The Stat, along with Scooter from Lunchtime Catch up and Fiona from Bomber Banter for his first interview since taking the job. McVeigh discusses what it means to return to the club where he played 232 games, the experiences that have shaped him as a coach and the lessons he brings from his time at GWS, the Allies and Sydney. We also explore his vision for the Bombers, the standards he wants to establish, his approach to developing Essendon’s young list and what supporters should expect as the club begins its next chapter. A wide-ranging introduction to the man entrusted with leading Essendon forward. 🔴⚫