Don The Stat

The end of a long and difficult 2026 season has arrived but even the final game comes with a complicated question: do we desperately want one last win, or accept the benefits that could come with Pick 1? 😬
We review Essendon’s 36-point loss to Sydney, including the disastrous opening quarter and the pressure, tackling and turnover game that allowed the young Bombers to match the Swans across the remaining three terms.
We also discuss:
🔴 Andy McGrath’s 200th game ⚫ What could be Zach Merrett’s final appearance for Essendon 📋 The biggest calls among the club’s out-of-contract players 🏉 The VFL side’s charge into its first finals campaign in seven years ⏳ The continued wait for Essendon’s next senior coach 📊 Where an injury-hit Port Adelaide can be exposed
Can the Bombers produce one final spirited performance and send their supporters into the off-season with a win or will the wooden spoon at least deliver a valuable consolation prize?
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After a competitive opening at Kardinia Park, one disastrous stretch allowed Geelong to break the game open and condemn Essendon to a 67-point defeat.
We review the loss to the Cats, examine the dramatic difference between Essendon’s best and worst periods, and look at the encouraging performance of Vigo Visentini, who produced 33 hitouts and 17 disposals in just his third AFL game.
Then attention turns to Sydney. The Swans arrive at the MCG sitting second on the ladder, fresh from a 97-point demolition of Port Adelaide and armed with the most potent attack in the competition. It’s an imposing challenge but there may be a few chinks in their armour. 👀
We break down where Essendon can disrupt Sydney’s high-speed game, why the ground-ball battle offers the Bombers a genuine avenue of attack, and the pressure standards this young side must reach to remain competitive.
Also on the agenda:
🔴 The costly collapse against Geelong 📊 What the numbers reveal about Essendon’s three coaching candidates 🏆 Tim Watson earns a Damian Barrett Award nomination ✍️ Dyson Sharp and Jacob Farrow commit until 2030 👀 Essendon’s approaches to Scott Pendlebury and Luke Pedlar 🏉 Could Bryan and Visentini form a two-ruck partnership? 💥 How do you contain Heeney, Warner and Gulden?
Plus, we preview a massive weekend across the club: the VFL playing for a finals berth, the AFLW beginning its season at Windy Hill and the men attempting to disrupt Sydney’s push towards September.
It’s the Essendon triple. Who’s taking on all three? 🔴⚫
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The kids showed glimpses. Peter Wright kicked six. But a 72-point defeat proved there’s still a mountain of work ahead. 🔴⚫
In this episode, we unpack Essendon’s loss to Adelaide after fielding the youngest team seen in the AFL this season. We look at the exciting ball movement, the brutal drop-off in intensity, Jaxon Artemis’ breakout performance and a dominant afternoon from Peter Wright. 🌟
We also ask some bigger questions about the rebuild:
🏗️ How does this list compare with the one inherited at the end of 2022?🥇 What should Essendon do if it holds Pick 1?🧑‍🏫 Where does the senior coaching search currently stand?
Then it’s down the highway to face Geelong at its Kardinia Park fortress. What makes the Cats so difficult to stop, where can the young Bombers challenge them, and what will it take to avoid another painful lesson?
There’s nowhere to hide but there’s still plenty to learn. 🎙️
___
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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Essendon’s search for its next senior coach is reaching the pointy end, with Mark McVeigh, Murray Davis, Jaymie Graham and James Hird emerging as the leading candidates.
 
We examine the coaching journeys, strengths and potential concerns attached to each contender and why development experience, leadership and alignment with the club’s long-term strategy must matter more than familiarity or profile.
 
We also review Essendon’s 93-point loss to Hawthorn, exploring how a competitive opening unravelled as the enormous gap in experience, continuity and class took its toll. Plus, the latest on Sullivan Robey and Jordan Ridley, Dan McPherson’s resignation and what it means for the football department.
 
Finally, we turn our attention to Sunday’s clash with Adelaide: the Crows’ strengths, the challenge facing Essendon’s undersized defence and what we want to see from the Bombers across the final four games of 2026.
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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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Finally, a win! Essendon’s young side produced a brave and mature performance to defeat the Giants by three points, giving Bombers supporters their first taste of victory in more than a year.
We break down the pressure, tackling and stoppage dominance behind the win, the emergence of Dyson Sharp, Nick Bryan’s best performance as a ruckman and the encouraging signs from Essendon’s next generation.
Then we turn our attention to Hawthorn at the MCG. Can the Bombers reproduce that intensity on the bigger ground, compete with the Hawks at clearance and prevent one of the competition’s best turnover teams from taking control? Plus, selection, Essendon’s coaching search and the latest draft discussion.
___
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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After a bruising 90-point loss to Brisbane, the Bombers face another tough challenge as they take on GWS in Round 19.
This week on Don The Stat, Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume break down what went wrong against the Lions, including Essendon's struggles at the contest, the shift in defensive structure under Dean Solomon, and whether the final quarter offered any genuine signs of progress.
They also discuss:
🔴 Dean Solomon's comments on skill execution and Nick Riewoldt's criticism
⭐ Nate Caddy's contract extension through to 2031 and what it says about Essendon's future
🏉 The latest on Essendon's coaching search and the growing media narrative
📈 Rick Edwards' July draft rankings and who the Bombers should target with Pick 1
❓ A Patreon question on how long it really takes for a young list to become cohesive
🟠 Breaking down GWS's recent resurgence and how Essendon can turn the tables after letting a four-goal lead slip earlier this season
📺 And finally... which TV show best sums up Essendon's 2026 season?
Can the Bombers produce a response, or will the Giants continue their push towards September?
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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Ian is joined by Rick Edwards to give his update for July for his 2026 Draft Rankings. 
Support Rick at his patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards
_____
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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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!
___
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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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. 🖤❤️
___
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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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
____
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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