Don The Stat

***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

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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

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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

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Article Link - https://www.donthestat.com/post/round-7-check-point-essendon-2026

ANZAC Day heartbreak is in the rear-view mirror, but the challenge only gets tougher for Essendon in Round 8.

After a competitive first half against Collingwood, the Bombers were overrun in brutal fashion, going down by 77 points. Now they return to Marvel Stadium to face the back-to-back premiers Brisbane Lions, one of the AFL’s benchmark sides.

In this episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Humey break down what went wrong against the Pies, the growing importance of centre bounce battles, and why team balance hurt Essendon last week.

They also dive into:

The criticism surrounding Ben McKay and where fan behaviour crosses the line

Green shoots from young Bombers including Saad El-Hawli, Nate Caddy and Archer Day-Wicks

Isaac Kako’s injury setback and the latest selection changes

Why Elijah Tsatas being omitted raises questions

Brisbane’s elite clearance game, scoring power and where they can still be exposed

Key match-ups including Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron and former Bomber Sam Draper

What Essendon must do to stay in the fight against the reigning premiers

Plus, Humey shares a special family moment ahead of the match, with son Oscar attending his first Essendon game.

A big test awaits. Can the Bombers respond?

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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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Essendon heads into Anzac Day off the back of a narrow 9 point loss to Gold Coast. A result that didn’t go our way, but one that showed clear signs of growth.

In this episode, we break down what worked against the Suns and where the game was lost, particularly around key moments and centre bounce damage.

We dive into the evolving midfield mix, the impact of Tsatas, McGrath and Wright, and the defensive lift from our half forwards led by Durham and Day-Wicks.

Then we turn our attention to Collingwood. A side that continues to grind games into arm wrestles, but is showing some vulnerability in 2026. We unpack their numbers, their reliance on Nick Daicos, and where Essendon can get the game on our terms.

We also run through selection, including the inclusion of Dyson Sharp, and what that means structurally heading into one of the biggest games of the season.

All roads lead to the MCG on Anzac Day. The stage is set.

Can this young Essendon side take the next step?

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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==