Don The Stat

The kids showed glimpses. Peter Wright kicked six. But a 72-point defeat proved there’s still a mountain of work ahead. 🔴⚫

In this episode, we unpack Essendon’s loss to Adelaide after fielding the youngest team seen in the AFL this season. We look at the exciting ball movement, the brutal drop-off in intensity, Jaxon Artemis’ breakout performance and a dominant afternoon from Peter Wright. 🌟

We also ask some bigger questions about the rebuild:

🏗️ How does this list compare with the one inherited at the end of 2022?
🥇 What should Essendon do if it holds Pick 1?
🧑‍🏫 Where does the senior coaching search currently stand?

Then it’s down the highway to face Geelong at its Kardinia Park fortress. What makes the Cats so difficult to stop, where can the young Bombers challenge them, and what will it take to avoid another painful lesson?

There’s nowhere to hide but there’s still plenty to learn. 🎙️

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Essendon’s search for its next senior coach is reaching the pointy end, with Mark McVeigh, Murray Davis, Jaymie Graham and James Hird emerging as the leading candidates.

 

We examine the coaching journeys, strengths and potential concerns attached to each contender and why development experience, leadership and alignment with the club’s long-term strategy must matter more than familiarity or profile.

 

We also review Essendon’s 93-point loss to Hawthorn, exploring how a competitive opening unravelled as the enormous gap in experience, continuity and class took its toll. Plus, the latest on Sullivan Robey and Jordan Ridley, Dan McPherson’s resignation and what it means for the football department.

 

Finally, we turn our attention to Sunday’s clash with Adelaide: the Crows’ strengths, the challenge facing Essendon’s undersized defence and what we want to see from the Bombers across the final four games of 2026.

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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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Finally, a win! Essendon’s young side produced a brave and mature performance to defeat the Giants by three points, giving Bombers supporters their first taste of victory in more than a year.

We break down the pressure, tackling and stoppage dominance behind the win, the emergence of Dyson Sharp, Nick Bryan’s best performance as a ruckman and the encouraging signs from Essendon’s next generation.

Then we turn our attention to Hawthorn at the MCG. Can the Bombers reproduce that intensity on the bigger ground, compete with the Hawks at clearance and prevent one of the competition’s best turnover teams from taking control? Plus, selection, Essendon’s coaching search and the latest draft discussion.

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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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After a bruising 90-point loss to Brisbane, the Bombers face another tough challenge as they take on GWS in Round 19.

This week on Don The Stat, Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume break down what went wrong against the Lions, including Essendon's struggles at the contest, the shift in defensive structure under Dean Solomon, and whether the final quarter offered any genuine signs of progress.

They also discuss:

🔴 Dean Solomon's comments on skill execution and Nick Riewoldt's criticism

⭐ Nate Caddy's contract extension through to 2031 and what it says about Essendon's future

🏉 The latest on Essendon's coaching search and the growing media narrative

📈 Rick Edwards' July draft rankings and who the Bombers should target with Pick 1

❓ A Patreon question on how long it really takes for a young list to become cohesive

🟠 Breaking down GWS's recent resurgence and how Essendon can turn the tables after letting a four-goal lead slip earlier this season

📺 And finally... which TV show best sums up Essendon's 2026 season?

Can the Bombers produce a response, or will the Giants continue their push towards September?

Listen now and join the conversation. 🔴⚫

___

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==

Ian is joined by Rick Edwards to give his update for July for his 2026 Draft Rankings. 

Support Rick at his patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards

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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==