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PODCAST

Don The Stat

Don the Stat is a weekly podcast covering the Essendon Football Club. Former Essendon Football Club analyst Jonathan Walsh is joined by fellow Essendon fan Ian Hume to break down the previous weeks game and preview the tactics of the next match. We focus on a more analytical approach that considers the statistics and match day tactics that will impact each game.Visit donthestat.com for the official home of Don The Stat.

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All Episodes

20:17

Jono and Ian react to the Zach Merrett Trade

Don The Stat ·

2026/10/05

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

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68:09

Don The Stat | 2026 Trade Period Preview: Merrett,...

Don The Stat ·

2026/10/02

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? 🔄

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85:11

2026 Jack Kirby Medal - Who was Essendon's Best...

Don The Stat ·

2026/09/21

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. __ 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 /

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108:15

Who Starred? Who Flopped? | Essendon 2026 Player Ratings

Don The Stat ·

2026/09/15

Make your own Tierlist: https://tiermaker.com/create/essendon-player-ratings-2026-19810700?presentationMode=falseWho 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

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67:18

Don The Stat Post-Season Q&A 2026

Don The Stat ·

2026/09/10

Jono and Ian are joined by some of the Don The Stat Patrons to ask questions about Essendon past, present and future. We touch on list management, coaching styles, trade targets, the VFL and assistant coaches. ____ 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 /

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46:50

Rick Edwards’ BIG September AFL Draft Update | 2026...

Don The Stat ·

2026/09/07

The 2026 AFL Draft is getting closer — and Rick Edwards is back with another major update to his Top 20! 🔴⚫Rick has watched 26 games live this season and has spent the year tracking the best young talent across the country. With the Under 18 seasons reaching their pointy end, his September rankings feature some BIG changes. Check out Rick Edwards' draft work on Patreon — https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards Subscribe to Don The Stat for more Essendon analysis, AFL draft discussion, rankings,

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63:48

Rock Bottom and the Road Back | 2026 Season Review

Don The Stat ·

2026/09/03

The curtain falls on one of the most difficult Essendon seasons in recent memory and it’s time to examine exactly what went wrong, what changed and whether there are genuine reasons to believe the Bombers can move forward under Mark McVeigh.In our comprehensive 2026 Season Review, we discuss: 📊 The numbers behind Essendon’s struggles at both ends of the ground 🔄 The differences between Brad Scott and Dean Solomon’s approaches 🛡️ The late-season improvement in pressure, tackling and defensive

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25:37

Impatience - Examining the Essendon Finals Win Drought

Don The Stat ·

2026/08/31

22 years. No finals wins. No premiership challenge. So how did Essendon get here?On September 4, 2004, Essendon defeated Melbourne by five points in an elimination final at the MCG. It remains the last time the Bombers have won a game in September. With Essendon now entering another rebuild under Mark McVeigh, this is an attempt to explain how the club went from the powerhouse of the 1990s to more than two decades of frustration — and, more importantly, what needs to change. There isn't one person

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68:45

Round 24 Review | One Season Ends, The Spike Era Begins

Don The Stat ·

2026/08/27

The 2026 season is over but a new Essendon era has already begun. 🔴⚫We review the narrow final-round loss to Port Adelaide, Nate Caddy’s brilliant six-goal performance and the costly centre-bounce collapse that allowed the Power to escape with the win. Then it’s onto the week’s biggest news: Mark McVeigh is Essendon’s new senior coach. We assess the process, the strengths Spike brings to the role, the support he’ll need around him and our experience interviewing him shortly after his

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22:55

The First Interview: Mark McVeigh, New Essendon...

Don The Stat ·

2026/08/25

New Essendon Senior Coach Mark McVeigh joins Don The Stat, along with Scooter from Lunchtime Catch up and Fiona from Bomber Banter for his first interview since taking the job. McVeigh discusses what it means to return to the club where he played 232 games, the experiences that have shaped him as a coach and the lessons he brings from his time at GWS, the Allies and Sydney. We also explore his vision for the Bombers, the standards he wants to establish, his approach to developing Essendon’s

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58:56

Round 24, 2026 | Essendon v Port Adelaide - Win for...

Don The Stat ·

2026/08/20

The end of a long and difficult 2026 season has arrived but even the final game comes with a complicated question: do we desperately want one last win, or accept the benefits that could come with Pick 1? 😬 We review Essendon’s 36-point loss to Sydney, including the disastrous opening quarter and the pressure, tackling and turnover game that allowed the young Bombers to match the Swans across the remaining three terms. We also discuss: 🔴 Andy McGrath’s 200th game ⚫ What could be Zach Merrett’s

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59:07

Round 23, 2026 | 18th vs 2nd: Can Essendon Pull Off...

Don The Stat ·

2026/08/13

After a competitive opening at Kardinia Park, one disastrous stretch allowed Geelong to break the game open and condemn Essendon to a 67-point defeat.We review the loss to the Cats, examine the dramatic difference between Essendon’s best and worst periods, and look at the encouraging performance of Vigo Visentini, who produced 33 hitouts and 17 disposals in just his third AFL game. Then attention turns to Sydney. The Swans arrive at the MCG sitting second on the ladder, fresh from a 97-point

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63:06

Round 22, 2026 | Nowhere to Hide: The Young Dons Face...

Don The Stat ·

2026/08/06

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

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60:44

Round 21, 2026 | The Coaching Search Narrows - Who...

Don The Stat ·

2026/07/30

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

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60:10

Round 20, 2026 | The Kids Are Alright: Can the Baby...

Don The Stat ·

2026/07/23

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

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61:04

Round 19, 2026 | Bombers vs Giants, Nate Caddy...

Don The Stat ·

2026/07/16

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

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41:39

Rick Edwards July 2026 Draft Rankings

Don The Stat ·

2026/07/14

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 _____ 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

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60:28

Round 18, 2026: Lions Await as the Rebuild Rolls On

Don The Stat ·

2026/07/09

Essendon heads north to take on the reigning premiers in one of the toughest assignments of the season. This week on Don The Stat, Jono and Humey unpack another frustrating loss to St Kilda, but also examine the encouraging signs emerging beneath the surface under interim coach Dean Solomon. From improved defensive structure and clearance numbers to the development of young guns like Robey, Sharp and El-Hawli, is there more progress than the scoreboard suggests? The boys also discuss: The coaching

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58:52

Round 17, 2026: Can the Bombers Break the Cycle...

Don The Stat ·

2026/07/02

Essendon returns to Marvel Stadium searching for just its second win of the season after another frustrating performance against North Melbourne. Jonathan Walsh is back from Europe alongside Ian Hume as the boys review the Kangaroos loss, discuss the concerning trends that continue to hold the Bombers back, and question some of the recent selection and positional decisions. They also unpack the club's coaching search, the latest on a potential AFL assistance package, Jack Bowes trade speculation,

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58:13

Round 16, 2026: Can Essendon Get Revenge on North?...

Don The Stat ·

2026/06/25

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

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