Don The Stat

The bye is over and Essendon returns for a big opportunity in their Round 16 clash against North Melbourne.

With finals out of reach but plenty still to play for, Ian Hume and Josh Wilson break down why the final nine weeks of the season remain important for the Bombers' future. They discuss Essendon's disappointing loss to Melbourne, the key statistical areas that need improvement, and what Dean Solomon's game style comments could mean for the remainder of 2026.

The boys also dive into:

The latest coaching rumours and what Essendon should be looking for in its next senior coach

Trade speculation surrounding Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley and Darcy Parish

Essendon's reported interest in Jed Walter and Lachie Neale

Five things they want to see from the Bombers after the bye

North Melbourne's improvement in 2026 and where the Roos can be exposed

Selection headaches with Caldwell, McGrath, Parish, Kako and El-Hawli all returning

Key tactical battles that could decide the game

Predictions for Essendon's quest to secure its first Melbourne win in over a year

Can the Bombers respond after the bye and gain revenge for their Round 3 defeat to North Melbourne? Tune in as Don The Stat previews a massive Sunday afternoon clash.

#DonTheStat #Essendon #AFL

____

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==

The Don The Stat Patreon community takes centre stage in our annual Mid-Season Q&A Special!

With Essendon sitting at a crossroads in 2026, Ian Hume and Jonathan Walsh tackle a huge range of supporter questions covering the biggest issues facing the club.

🔴 Is there anything positive to take from the season so far?
⚫ Who should coach Essendon in 2027 – James Hird, James Kelly or John Longmire?
🔴 Can fans trust the club to make the right decision this time?
⚫ What should Essendon's list strategy be over the next two years?
🔴 Which experienced players should the Bombers target through free agency?
⚫ Who has actually improved this season?
🔴 What's the ideal midfield mix moving forward?
⚫ What does the future hold for Elijah Tsatas?
🔴 Should Essendon take Harry Van Hattum or Akay Barker at the top of the draft?

Plus plenty more discussion on the rebuild, player development, culture, leadership, draft strategy and where the Bombers go from here.

A huge thank you to all our Patreon members who submitted questions and joined us live for another fantastic Q&A session.

#DonTheStat #EssendonFC #AFL

____

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==

Is Essendon still on the right path, or has the club blinked at a critical moment in its rebuild?

This week on Don The Stat, Ian is joined by Tommy Wolfe from Reading The Play (https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/) for a deep dive into the Bombers' future following the shock departure of Brad Scott.

Tommy discusses why he believes Essendon is still two strong drafts away from completing its talent base, where the Bombers sit compared to successful rebuilds such as Melbourne and Fremantle, and whether it's possible to sack a coach without abandoning a long-term vision.

The conversation also explores:

🔴 Was Brad Scott the right coach at the wrong time?
⚫ How many more years should Essendon prioritise the draft?
🔴 The risks and rewards of chasing quick improvement through trades and free agency
⚫ Why some rebuilds succeed while others become stuck in AFL's middle ground
🔴 The growing momentum behind James Hird's coaching candidacy
⚫ Essendon's dream 2026 draft and trade period
🔴 The impact of Tasmania's arrival on list management
⚫ What Tommy would change about AFL drafting, free agency and list rules

Plus, Tommy shares his journey with Reading The Play, his favourite Essendon memories, and why he believes the Bombers must avoid repeating the mistakes of "old Essendon."

If you're interested in list building, recruiting, AFL strategy, and where Essendon's rebuild goes from here, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎙️ 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==

Essendon heads to the MCG to face a Melbourne side that has transformed into one of the competition's most dangerous teams since the Bombers upset them during Gather Round.

With Jono away in England, Ian is joined by long-time Don The Stat patron and tactical analyst Josh Wilson to break down Essendon's loss to Carlton, assess the early signs of the Dean Solomon era, and preview a massive challenge against the Demons.

🔴 Topics include:

What Essendon did right at centre bounce against Carlton

Why the Bombers continue to struggle with inside 50 connection

Ben McKay's surprising impact as a forward

Zach Merrett's move to half-back and whether it works

The emergence of Nick Bryan and Sullivan Robey

What's changed under Dean Solomon?

Injury updates and the cavalry arriving after the bye

Melbourne's rise into the top five

Nick Bryan's biggest test yet against Max Gawn

How Essendon can repeat the formula that worked in Gather Round

Key match-ups and tactical battles to watch

Plus, Ian and Josh discuss the future direction of the club, the continued development of Essendon's young core, and what success should look like for the remainder of the 2026 season.

📊 Don't forget to check out this week's Draft Rankings special with Rick Edwards and keep an eye out for Sunday's coaching and club direction discussion with Tommy Wolfe from Reading The Play.

🎙️ Like, subscribe and join the conversation.

#AFL #EssendonFC #DonTheStat

_____

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==

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

With Essendon's 2026 season spiralling and the AFL Draft becoming the major source of optimism for Bombers fans, we welcome back one of the most respected talent watchers in the Essendon community — Rick Edwards.

In this special Don The Stat episode, Rick reveals his exclusive Mid-Season Top 20 AFL Draft Rankings and breaks down the players every Essendon supporter should be watching ahead of the National Championships.

We discuss:

🏆 The state of Essendon's season and whether Brad Scott's sacking was the right call

🏆 James Hird's coaching prospects and what the Bombers should prioritise in their rebuild

🏆 Why Harry Van Hattum is currently Rick's No.1 prospect

🏆 Arki Butler, Ethan Drever, Kodah Edwards, Harvie Cook and the other elite talents climbing draft boards

🏆 Who Essendon could target with multiple early selections

🏆 The latest on NGA prospects Justice, Bewick, Jed Naim, Darwish and Rodan

🏆 Rick's experience watching the Vic Metro vs Vic Country trial match

🏆 The players who could rise rapidly during the National Championships

If you're already looking ahead to the future of the Essendon Football Club, this is the draft episode you've been waiting for.

Don't forget to check out Rick's Patreon for exclusive training reports, vision and draft analysis, and follow him on X at @BomberRicko.

🔴⚫ #GoDons

____

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==