Don The Stat

Two rounds in, and Essendon’s 2026 season is already under real pressure.

In this episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Humey review the Bombers’ 63-point loss to Port Adelaide, a result that made it back-to-back 10 goal defeats to open the year. They unpack the familiar themes from the first fortnight: clearance struggles, poor transition, lack of movement ahead of the ball, and the growing debate around leadership and on-field cohesion.

The conversation also looks at whether Essendon’s biggest problem is what they’re doing with the ball or without it, why some of the contest numbers aren’t translating into better team performance, and the few bright spots to come from another tough day — including strong signs from Nate Caddy, Kako, Zak Johnson and Archie Roberts.

There’s also discussion on:

Brad Scott’s candid post-match comments

The latest injury news on Mason Redman, Vigo Visentini, Dyson Sharp and Nick Bryan

Another Damian Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award nomination

North Melbourne’s early-season profile, selection changes and where they can hurt Essendon

The key tactical battles, including Tristan Xerri in the ruck, the Larkey-Zurhaar forward threat, and how the Bombers can give themselves a chance at Marvel

After two heavy losses, this week is less about perfection and more about response.

Can Essendon steady the ship against North Melbourne?

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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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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

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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

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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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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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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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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