Don The Stat

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

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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.

 

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

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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