Preview of Essendon 2017
2016 in Review
A wooden spoon for the Bombers was almost inevitable after the suspension of the 34 players embroiled in the supplements saga. It culminated in the handing back of Jobe Watson’s Brownlow medal, finalising the darkest hour of the proud club’s history. However, on the field, all was not lost — whilst missing the bulk of their starting 22, they were able to uncover some quality players as well as add top up players who will stay on this year.
Key changes to personnel
Obviously the biggest changes to Essendon this year is the return of 10 players who were suspended for all of 2016. The group includes four All-Australians, three best and fairest winners, a former and current club captain. No other club will get a boost like Essendon this year, with all ten very likely to be in the best 22 for most of the year, although spots in the side will be not a certainty. Jobe Watson, captain Dyson Heppell, Travis Colyer, Brent Stanton, Ben Howlett and David Myers will add enormous depth, skill and consistency to the midfield. Hooker, Hurley, and Hocking’s return will bolster the backline and defensive options. Whilst Bellchambers’ return will add to the depleted ruck stocks and give the team another forward target.
Essendon traded in James Stewart from GWS — a promising tall forward, and also picked up Josh Green from Brisbane, who could also add to their small forward stocks.
Essendon lost a number of players — most of whom were simply top-up players that knew they would only have one more season in them, including: Matthew Stokes, Ryan Crowley and Mark Jamar. Longer-term players also left the club: Adam Cooney, who retired; Courtenay Dempsey and Tayte Pears were delisted, whilst Michael Hibberd was traded to Melbourne.
One of the benefits of Essendon’s horror year was that they received their first ever number one pick in the draft. They chose Andrew McGrath — a pacy half-back who is likely to feature in the team this year. They also selected running defender Jordan Ridley (pick 22), forward Josh Begley (31), and two inside midfielders in Kobe Mutch (42) and Dylan Clarke (63). Sam Draper was taken in the rookie draft and will be given time to develop as a ruckman, recently changing from soccer to AFL.
Essendon’s Draw
Essendon probably have the easiest draw in the competition — another benefit of the wooden spoon. They play last-year’s battlers Brisbane, Carlton, Fremantle and Collingwood twice during the year, with Adelaide the only side they play twice that played finals last year. The season opener against traditional rivals Hawthorn looms large as a big return for the banned players, and will let us know a lot more about how Essendon will perform this year.
Looking forward to
So many players returning make Essendon an intriguing team this year. The returning players bolster all areas of the ground and will ensure there is healthy competition for a spot in the side each week. Leaders of the club Heppell, Hooker, Hurley and Watson will be particularly desperate to make an impact on the field and ensure the returning players gel with those who played last season.
The emergence of talented, classy players last year was one of the few highlights of the season for Essendon. In particular, Zach Merrett stated his claim as one of the premier midfielders of the competition and was a runaway winner of the club’s best and fairest. The reintroduction of top-end talent in the midfield should let him continue to win the ball and hit targets with precision. Other youngsters Daniher, Parish, Fantasia and McDonald-Tipungwuti were also impressive last year — all finishing in the top 10 in the best and fairest. Whilst Daniher is the biggest name of the four, the others are exciting, young players who should continue to contribute this year and may find it easier with less focus being on them this season. They will also benefit from added experience and leadership around them.
Worried about
There are a number of negatives caused by so many players returning this year. The main concern will be the players’ match fitness and form — a year out of football is a long time, and whilst all have had big preseasons, there is nothing that really compares to match fitness. It could be difficult for them to run out games, particularly early on in the season. Additionally, the ten players have never been coached by Worsfold and this could create tension and incoherence within the playing group. All returning players will be desperate to play after so long out, but obviously can’t be assured their spot in the 22 — especially with so many young players who impressed last season. It would be understandable if a player who was forced out for a whole season felt hard done by if when he returned, his place was taken by someone who had only played because of his absence. It could also take the returning players a while to learn and apply Worsfold’s gameplan, which he attempted to implement last season.
In the past, Essendon have lacked outside pace in the midfield and have often found it hard to both burst away from packs and contain opposition players who do the same. McGrath adds pace, but at only 18, is unlikely to have much of an impact this year, and so this remains a concern for the Bombers.
The Bombers still lack ruckman — Bellchambers is a big in, but without him, they rely on injury-prone Leunberger. This could be an area where Essendon wish they had tried to recruit for, as they will not want to play Daniher in the ruck, but may be forced to if injuries hit.
It’s a big season for:
Dyson Heppell: Appointed captain in his first year back, the 2014 best and fairest winner will be eager to lead the club away from the off-field issues that have plagued Essendon for the past few seasons. At only 24 years old, his promotion to captain is clearly a nod to the future, with ex-captains Watson and Goddard on their last legs as players. He is at the age where he can be expected to become one of the league’s top players and the Bombers will need him to be at his best to lead this side back into finals contention.
Joe Daniher: The 22 year old has already shown that he has the potential to be a Coleman medalist — at 200cm he towers over most of his opponents, and when combined with athletic prowess and strong hands, he can be unstoppable in the air. If he manages to increase his goalkicking accuracy, then he will pose a massive threat in the Essendon forward line. With a better midfield, he will receive superior delivery, which will give him even more opportunities to kick bags of goals. This could be the season where he breaks out and becomes the best forward in the league.
Jobe Watson: One of the sadder stories of the supplements saga was of Jobe Watson having to give back his Brownlow medal. Whilst it was inevitable, it was still hard to see such an honest, hardworking player be forced to return the award, which he had deserved to win. Hopefully being out of the spotlight will let him flourish as a player and rekindle memories of his glory years.
Michael Hurley: A key member of the Essendon backline, he will add both experience and strength to the defence. He was tried as a forward earlier in his career, but having excelled as a defender, it would be unlikely for him to play anywhere but in the backline this year. Hurley is a player that the club will hope to build its next premiership team around, and so they will be hoping he returns to his best this year and adds leadership to the team.
Expectations
Essendon are probably the most difficult team to predict this season — no other team has undergone such a massive change to their list. They will certainly be a much better side than last year, but just how good? Their midfield boasts impressive depth and a mix of both youth and experience. They also have the elements of a good backline and forward line, with their key positions being some of the best in the league. A lot still depends on Daniher in the forward line, but he is a prodigious talent and should excel with a better midfield to deliver the ball to him. Whilst they do have a good list, without too many weaknesses, it might be difficult for them to gel this year, and may take another year before they can challenge for a premiership. The finals are not out of reach this season, but with so many returning players and still working with a new coach, they may be too inconsistent to make the eight in the end.
Predicted finish: 10th
