Don The Stat

Where does Zach Merrett rank among the greatest players in Essendon history?

After winning a record-equalling seventh Crichton Medal before his departure from the Bombers, Merrett finds himself alongside club legends Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchinson in the record books. But how does his career stack up against the champions who came before him?

On this episode of Don The Stat, Ian is joined by historian, author and Essendon expert Dr Dan Eddy to revisit the iconic Champions of Essendon list, originally announced in 2002, and build an updated Top 30 of the club’s greatest players.

Dan has written more than 20 books, including a biography of Dick Reynolds, and helped produce the club’s official history as part of Essendon’s 150th anniversary celebrations. He also hosts the Red and Black Project podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔴 Zach Merrett’s legacy: Do seven Crichton Medals put him among Essendon’s all-time greats? And how much should the club’s struggles affect his standing?

⚫ Revisiting the Champions of Essendon: Was the original Top 25 right? Which players could move up or down, and who was unlucky to miss out?

🔴 James Hird and Matthew Lloyd: How did the final chapters of their careers change their standing among the Bombers’ greatest players?

⚫ The new additions: We assess the cases for Dustin Fletcher, Jobe Watson, Scott Lucas and Zach Merrett, considering their individual achievements, longevity, leadership and impact on the club.

🔴 The final Top 30: We reveal our updated rankings and leave one spot open for you to decide!

Who deserves to be included among Essendon’s greatest players? Have we ranked Zach Merrett correctly? And which Bomber has been overlooked?

Let us know your updated Champions of Essendon Top 30 in the comments!

Subscribe to Don The Stat for Essendon analysis, AFL discussion, player reviews, draft coverage and more.

Go Dons! 🔴⚫

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It’s done. Zach Merrett is a Hawk.

🎙️ Jono and Ian jump on for a short reaction episode as Essendon trades its former captain to Hawthorn for picks 15, 25 and a 2028 second-round selection.

🔎 We give our first impressions of the deal, assess the return and discuss what losing Merrett means for Essendon’s midfield and the next phase under Mark McVeigh.

🔴⚫ After 274 games and seven Crichton Medals, a significant chapter in Essendon’s history closes. We reflect on Merrett’s contribution, the emotions surrounding his departure and where the Bombers go from here.

A big appointment off the field and big decisions on it. Essendon’s off-season is gathering pace. Jono and Ian unpack the latest developments and preview a trade period that could significantly reshape the Bombers’ list.

🐎 Longmire joins the Bombers
We discuss what John Longmire’s arrival means for Mark McVeigh, the coaching group and player development, alongside the additions of Brent Prismall and Shane Mumford. Are the Bombers putting the right support around their new coach and young list?

🔄 Merrett, Ridley and the big trade questions
Fresh from his seventh Crichton Medal, Zach Merrett’s future remains a major talking point. We assess Hawthorn’s opening offer, what Essendon should demand and whether a player could be part of the deal. We also discuss Jordan Ridley’s potential move, Darcy Parish’s place in the side and the risks of moving on from Ben McKay.

🎯 Who could come in?
We look at Jack Bowes, Laitham Vandermeer and the attributes Essendon appears to be targeting. What do the missed opportunities tell us about the club’s approach, and how should the Bombers balance experienced recruits with opportunities for their developing players?

📝 Contracts, delistings and AFL assistance
Nic Martin’s long-term commitment provides some welcome good news. We reflect on the latest departures, the players still awaiting decisions and how Essendon could use its two additional rookie spots. Including the case for bringing in experienced leaders.

🔮 Pick one and the bigger picture
Should Essendon hold the first pick or consider splitting it? We share our early thoughts on the draft, look ahead to the 2027 free agency market and discuss how Tasmania’s arrival could influence the Bombers’ list strategy.

🏆 Plus, our reflections on an extraordinary Grand Final and what Essendon can learn from the teams at the top.

Jono and Ian award the Don The Stat Best and Fairest award - the Jack Kirby Medal. Who's been voted the best performed Essendon player in 2026.

Plus, the first ever Damian Barrett award for Worst Essendon take is announced. 

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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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Who starred, who struggled and who landed somewhere in between? 🔴⚫

Ian is joined by Josh Wilson to review every Essendon player who featured at senior level in 2026, handing out grades from S to D.

Who deserves an S? Who found themselves in Struggletown? And where did Ian and Josh disagree?

Plus, a look at the appointment of Mark McVeigh and the big takeaways from the back end of the season.

___

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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