Don The Stat

It has been one of the biggest weeks in recent Essendon history.

After another injury-hit loss, this time to Richmond in Dreamtime at the ‘G, the Bombers sit 1-10 and anchored to the bottom of the AFL ladder. The fallout only intensified with the sacking of Brad Scott, another wave of media scrutiny, and Dean Solomon stepping in as interim coach.

On this week’s Don The Stat Match Preview, Jono and Ian reflect on an emotional and draining week for the Essendon community, the deeper meaning behind supporting the club, and what comes next for the Bombers.

The boys break down:

The decision to move on from Brad Scott

Whether Essendon’s long-term strategy can survive another coaching change

The resilience shown in the Richmond loss despite more injuries

Darcy Parish’s enormous Dreamtime performance

Kane Cornes earning a Barrett Award nomination

Mid-season draftee Jaxon Artemis and what he adds to the list

West Coast’s improvement in 2026 and the challenge awaiting in Perth

The tactical and structural changes fans want to see under Dean Solomon

There’s also discussion around Essendon’s youth movement, list build, clearance struggles, Harley Reid, Bailey Williams, Jake Waterman and how the Bombers can respond after one of the toughest weeks the club has faced in years.

A reflective, emotional and analytical episode from the Don The Stat team.

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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

Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/

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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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This was recorded on Patreon live earlier this evening. Ian gives his reaction to Brad Scott's sacking and interacts with Patrons.

Jono will give his thoughts on our main show this Thursday

***Apologies for the audio quality, there were issues with the recording tonight***

Dreamtime at the ‘G returns, but this year it arrives with plenty of pressure surrounding both Essendon and Richmond.

In this episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Humey break down the Bombers’ disappointing loss to Fremantle, including another poor start, contest issues around stoppage, and why the raw stats didn’t fully reflect how one-sided the game felt early. They also discuss the signs of improvement in Essendon’s forward half pressure and whether there was anything worth taking from the second half response.

The boys dive into the latest media storm surrounding Essendon’s list strategy, including Jay Clark’s reporting on Adrian Dodoro, Harley Reid, Craig Vozzo and the club’s rebuild direction. They unpack the context around Essendon’s 2024 position, why the “all in” approach would have been a massive gamble, and how AFL media coverage continues to shape perception around the club.

There’s also discussion around:

Peter Wright’s injury and what it means for Nick Bryan

Brayden Fiorini’s season-ending setback

Essendon’s likely mid-season draft strategy

Richmond’s rebuild and injury struggles

Key tactical battles for Dreamtime at the G

Whether the Bombers can handle the pressure if things go wrong on Friday night

Plus the latest Damian Barrett Award nominee, Patreon shoutouts, and why Dreamtime remains one of the most important nights in football regardless of ladder position.

🎧 All that and more on this week’s episode of Don The Stat. Go Dons

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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

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

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A 26-point lead. A young side full of energy. Then a game that slipped away.

This week on Don The Stat, Jono and Humey unpack Essendon's frustrating 14-point loss to GWS after looking in control for long stretches. Was it simply a case of experience winning out, or did deeper issues emerge late in the game?

We dive into:

The Giants comeback and where things unravelled
• Elite forward-half pressure that wasn't fully rewarded
• Why ground-level forwards may be becoming a bigger issue
• Sullivan Robey's Rising Star performance and Dyson Sharp's cruel injury setback
• Mid-season contract calls: who's safe and who's under pressure?
• Fremantle's rise into premiership contention and what makes them so dangerous
• Selection headaches, tactical matchups and whether Setterfield should return

Plus Jono celebrates a birthday live on air... and opens a surprise gift 🎁

Can the Bombers respond against one of the AFL's hottest teams?

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

The episode also covers Essendon's evolving style, key statistical trends and the broader rebuild trajectory around the current young core.

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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

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==

Don The Stat brings up its 100th Match Preview episode as Essendon heads north to face the GWS Giants at ENGIE Stadium.

After a tough 64-point loss to the reigning premiers Brisbane, the boys break down what went wrong, from the alarming centre bounce numbers to Essendon’s inability to contain Brisbane’s uncontested ball movement.

There’s discussion around the development of the Bombers’ young core, the impact of Sam Durham’s return to the midfield, Nate Caddy’s fiery comments, and whether Essendon’s current midfield balance is sustainable.

The episode also dives into:

The leaked Brisbane whiteboard and the fallout from it

The media treatment of Ben McKay

Brad Scott speculation and reaction to recent reporting

Injury updates including Saad El-Hawli and Brayden Fiorini

Why GWS has regressed in 2026 despite strong contested numbers

How Essendon can exploit the Giants at stoppage and territory

Plus, the boys reflect on reaching 100 Match Previews since Don The Stat began in 2022 and what the journey has meant to them and the Essendon 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

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==