Don The Stat

Round 1 hit hard. After a 62-point loss to Hawthorn, we dig into exactly what went wrong for Essendon in the season opener — and why the biggest issues ran deeper than the usual surface-level takes. From midfield struggles and centre bounce damage, to field position, forward structure and transition problems, we give the Hawks loss the full Don The Stat treatment. We also take a look at the wider reaction to Essendon’s start to the season, including this week’s Damian Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award nomination, and discuss the reported long-term contract offer put to Zach Merrett. Then we turn our attention to Sunday afternoon’s clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. With both sides coming off disappointing Round 1 losses, we break down Port’s list changes, their 2025 drop-off, what went wrong against North Melbourne, and where Essendon can attack. Can the Bombers respond? And where does the improvement need to come from first? All that and more on this week’s episode of Don The Stat. Episode Highlights Full review of Essendon’s Round 1 loss to Hawthorn Why midfield and clearance issues were the biggest concern Forward structure, territory and turnover analysis Damian Barrett Award nomination Zach Merrett contract talk Port Adelaide preview: list changes, tactics and key match-ups What Essendon must fix to bounce back in Round 2 ________ 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 Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

The wait is over. Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season has arrived. In this episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Humey preview Essendon’s season opener against Hawthorn. After months of pre-season training, match simulations and practice games, we finally get our first real look at the Bombers when the points count. The guys break down everything you need to know ahead of Friday night. In this episode we cover: Angus Clarke’s injury and what it means for Essendon’s early season plans Lachlan Blakiston’s contract extension and his role as the Bombers’ Round 1 ruck What we learned from Opening Round across the AFL and the impact of the new rules A statistical deep dive into Hawthorn’s game style and where Essendon can attack them Lessons from last year’s Round 1 meeting between the two sides Key tactical battles including clearances, turnovers and Hawthorn’s intercept defence How Essendon can limit Hawthorn’s dangerous small forwards Our final thoughts and expectations for the Bombers in Round 1 It’s the first real test of the season, with three debutants, new roles across the ground and plenty of intrigue around how Essendon will look in 2026. Can the Bombers take advantage of Hawthorn’s midfield vulnerabilities and start the season with a statement win? Breaking down the Zach Merrett ‘Deal’ - https://www.donthestat.com/post/the-zach-merrett-trade-that-never-was ____ 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 Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==  

We are officially 1 day out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG tomorrow night. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we counted 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.   Guernsey Number 1. Over the decades, the jumper passed through many hands, sometimes briefly, sometimes for long stretches but always onto players the club trusted.   _______________________ 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 

We are officially 2 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. Guernsey Number 2 - worn in Essendon’s first Premiership, carried through multiple flag eras, and still evolving as the club moves forward. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 1 and Guernsey Number 1. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 3 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. Guernsey Number 3 - worn in Essendon’s first Premiership, carried through multiple flag eras, and still evolving as the club moves forward. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 2 and Guernsey Number 2. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 4 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. Guernsey Number 4 - a number that quietly carries Brownlow medals, Premierships, leadership and legacy. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 3 and Guernsey Number 3. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 5 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. Guernsey Number 5 - worn in Essendon’s first Premiership, carried through multiple flag eras, and still evolving as the club moves forward. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 4 and Guernsey Number 4. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 6 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. Guernsey Number 6 - a jumper steeped in leadership, resilience, and Premiership success. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 6 and Guernsey Number 6. _______________________ 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 

Essendon’s 2026 season is almost here. With Round 1 against Hawthorn just 8 days away, Jono and Humey return for the annual Don The Stat Season Preview. Breaking down everything Bombers fans need to know heading into the new AFL season. After a brutal 2025 that saw 15 debutants and a 13-game losing streak, the big question is whether the young Bombers can take a step forward in 2026. In this episode we analyse: What the practice matches revealed The key statistical trends that shaped Essendon’s 2025 season Which metrics will matter most in 2026 List changes and emerging young talent The biggest strengths and weaknesses of the squad A full SWOT analysis of the Bombers Our three bold predictions for the season ahead Plus: Another Damian Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award nomination Discussion around Essendon’s midfield, intercept game and turnover defence Which players have surged into Round 1 contention If Essendon is going to improve in 2026, the answers will likely come from territory, turnovers and transition football. We break down exactly what to watch for. _____ 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 Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

We are officially 7 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.   We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 6 and Guernsey Number 6. _______________________ 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 

Essendon’s 2026 season is almost here. With Round 1 against Hawthorn just 8 days away, Jono and Humey return for the annual Don The Stat Season Preview. Breaking down everything Bombers fans need to know heading into the new AFL season. After a brutal 2025 that saw 15 debutants and a 13-game losing streak, the big question is whether the young Bombers can take a step forward in 2026. In this episode we analyse: What the practice matches revealed The key statistical trends that shaped Essendon’s 2025 season Which metrics will matter most in 2026 List changes and emerging young talent The biggest strengths and weaknesses of the squad A full SWOT analysis of the Bombers Our three bold predictions for the season ahead Plus: Another Damian Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award nomination Discussion around Essendon’s midfield, intercept game and turnover defence Which players have surged into Round 1 contention If Essendon is going to improve in 2026, the answers will likely come from territory, turnovers and transition football. We break down exactly what to watch for. _____ 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 Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

We are officially 8 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. Guernsey Number 8 a jumper that has been worn by Premiership players, prolific goal-kickers, and some of the club’s most durable performers. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 7 and Guernsey Number 7. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 9 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.   We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 8 and Guernsey Number 8. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 10 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. Guernsey Number 10 stands as one of the most powerful symbols in Essendon history. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 9 and Guernsey Number 9. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 11 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.   We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 10 and Guernsey Number 10. _______________________ 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 

Our unbeaten pre-season run is over. In our final hit-out before Round 1, Essendon went down to St Kilda in Ballarat and this one gave us a much clearer picture of where the side is really at. Normally, First Thoughts is exclusive to our Patreon community. But as promised for pre-season, we’re releasing this one publicly. In this episode we cover: ❌ The Concerns A passive midfield beaten at centre bounce (9–18 clearances) Poor use of the spare at stoppage Zach Merrett behind the ball – lesson learned? An eight-minute third-quarter lapse that broke the game open ✅ The Positives Aggressive forward-half press returns (six forward-half turnovers in the first half) Dyson Sharp’s composure, strength and score involvements Lachie Blackiston’s competitiveness against Marshall & De Koning Zach Johnson’s most complete game yet Signs the structure is holding up - outside of one costly burst The margin ended up seven goals, but the game was within seven points late in the third quarter before St Kilda capitalised on centre bounce dominance and 6-6-6 momentum. Plenty to tidy up. Plenty to like. We break it down. High level, immediate reaction, no overreactions. Full review and season preview coming Thursday.

We are officially 12 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. Guernsey Number 12 reflects Essendon’s blend of Premiership success, leadership, and enduring contribution to the club’s culture. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 11 and Guernsey Number 11. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 13 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.   We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 12 and Guernsey Number 12. _______________________ 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 

We are officially 14 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. Guernsey Number 14 - has been worn by Premiership players, durable servants, and modern stars. A number that continues to carry weight at Essendon. We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 13 and Guernsey Number 13. _______________________ 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 

The Bombers are undefeated in 2026…after one practice match. Ahead of the season, we jumped on with our Patreon subscribers for a live pre-season Q&A and tackled the big questions shaping Essendon’s year. We covered: Where to play Zach Merrett for maximum impact 🏃‍♂️ The Ridley injury debate and backline balance Why we’re more bullish on Essendon than Richmond in 2026 Scores from turnover and the stat we don’t talk about enough If we could go all-in on one free agent… Whether this list is capable of winning a final And the big one. Can Brad Scott take Essendon to September success? Thanks to our Patrons for jumping on live Mid-season bye Q&A coming up later in the year. Stay safe. 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 Ian at twitter.com/Kyptastic1 / https://bsky.app/profile/kyptastic.bsky.social Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==