Essendon
Coach – Brad Scott
2024 –
Points For – 13th
Points Against – 15th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
1 – Zach Merrett
2 – Nic Martin
3 – Sam Durham
4 – Andrew McGrath
5 – Jye Caldwell
2024 Rising Star Noms
Nate Caddy (Rnd 22)
Ins – Angus Clarke, Archer Day-Wickes, Kayle Gerreyn, Zak Johnson, Isaac Kako, Jayden Nguyen, Jaxon Prior, Rhys Unwin
Outs – Kaine Baldwin, Jayden Davey, Dyson Heppell, Nick Hind, Jaiden Hunter, The Package, Tex Wanganeen, Sam Weideman, Jake Kelly
My Prediction
That is certainly quite the clearing of wood, some dead, some decaying and some yet to flourish. The reset the bomber faithful have been calling for looks to happen and the likely two steps back before we take the necessary several steps forward is likely to cause consternation in a fan base already sick of being asked for patience. It took Carlton two decades to sort of recover from their sanctions and the AFL would have been determined to see no quick bounce back for the red and black.
The backline was awful for large patches of last year. It is hard to know how much of this is on the backline and how much is on the lack of all field pressure applied when the opposition gets moving. If nothing else comes from this year, Zach Reid playing 22 injury free games would be a win. McKay looked like the recruit of the year until Ridley came back and the two of them seems unable to operate in the same backline. Hopefully losing Kelly and Hepp creates some space back there. Roberts was a win off half back at the same time that Martin was wasted back there, ideally Redman gets his mojo back alongside Roberts whilst Martin find his wing again. McGrath was solid last year. It isn’t the worst backline in the league, it needs the ball to come in with more pressure from upfield.
The midfield were ok last year. Durham gets bigger, stronger and better every season, Duursma looked good before injury and Caldwell became the player we hoped he might be if he got a good run at it. Parish is already struggling with his body and needs to play much more accountable football. Merrett is the gunniest of football players and our best player by so far that it is sad. This is the year to stop messing around with Cox and Jones on wings (I can live with high half forward). Put Martin back on the wing and use him as god intended. Lets also hope Tsatas can find his AFL feet this year and give us inside size and explosion.
The forward line need to cover for Stringer (we keep hearing they need to find 42 goals but lets not forget the pie shops around Tulla who have to make up significant business). Caddy should be better, Perkins should be better and we actually have potentially small forwards who are aware of the two big sticks as well as how to lay a tackle. Peter Wright needs to find his hands again and start playing like he wants to hurt someone. Langford was down a little last year but we all know how good he can be. If I am being honest I have no idea what the forward line will look like this year but that could be a positive because nothing could be as diabolical as last year (hopefully).
The rucks situation is as simple as, leave Goldstein as a coach and off the field. Give Draper and Bryan as much support as possible until we decide which one to trade at the end of the year. Bryan feels like he will be the better tap ruck at some stage, Draper feels like he is better at everything else whilst looking like he might stuff everything up at the same time. I feel like Draper is already the better player and still has a higher ceiling. The coach is under pressure. The rebuild buys him another year or two as does the need to stick with a coach for an extended period to keep things settled. He will be allowed to fail slightly this year before the pressure really comes in 2026.
I am not as pessimistic as some about our list and prospects this year. I don’t expect to play finals but I think the direction and the player movements have all been for the best long term interest of the club. I don’t think we are a bottom four club, nor do I think we are a top eight club. We have enough talent to get my hopes up early in the season before breaking my heart later in the year. Somewhere from 10-12 feels about right.
