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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 where they 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.
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- 3 days ago1h 11m
Stay the Course or Start Again? Tommy Wolfe on Essendon's Future
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==
- 6 days ago55 min
Round 14, 2026: Can the Bombers Repeat the Gather Round Formula?
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==
- 1 weeks ago47 min
Essendon’s Rebuild Starts Here | Rick Edwards’ June 2026 Top 20 Draft Rankings
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==
- 1 weeks ago1h 4m
Round 13, 2026: Essendon v Carlton Preview | Rivalry Night, AFL Assistance & Can Solomon Spark a Response?
Stubby Holder Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRJGhBVEqDn7pywRvnDCnybyQR8vvoeMoIaoIGa0QDx7hT0A/viewform?usp=dialog Essendon and Carlton. The ladder might say one thing, but this rivalry always means something. This week on Don The Stat, Jono and Humey review Dean Solomon's first game as interim coach following the Bombers' disappointing loss to West Coast and examine what, if anything, changed on-field. The boys dive into: The clearance dominance that failed to translate into scoreboard pressure Nick Bryan's emergence as a genuine AFL ruckman The departures of Ben Jacobs and Ben Robbins Another brutal injury update involving Archie May and Lewis Hayes Essendon's request for AFL assistance and what support could look like Whether key defence has suddenly become a list priority Carlton's resurgence under Josh Fraser The Blues' dangerous centre bounce game and how Essendon can combat it Selection dilemmas ahead of a huge Sunday night clash at the MCG Plus, the Damian Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award returns and an obscure stat about identical twins rucking against each other. All that and plenty more in another big edition of Don The Stat. 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 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==
- 2 weeks ago1h 8m
Round 12, 2026: Essendon drama, Solomon Takes Over
It has been one of the biggest weeks in recent Essendon history. After another injury-hit loss, this time to Richmond in Dreamtime at the ‘G, the Bombers sit 1-10 and anchored to the bottom of the AFL ladder. The fallout only intensified with the sacking of Brad Scott, another wave of media scrutiny, and Dean Solomon stepping in as interim coach. On this week’s Don The Stat Match Preview, Jono and Ian reflect on an emotional and draining week for the Essendon community, the deeper meaning behind supporting the club, and what comes next for the Bombers. The boys break down: The decision to move on from Brad Scott Whether Essendon’s long-term strategy can survive another coaching change The resilience shown in the Richmond loss despite more injuries Darcy Parish’s enormous Dreamtime performance Kane Cornes earning a Barrett Award nomination Mid-season draftee Jaxon Artemis and what he adds to the list West Coast’s improvement in 2026 and the challenge awaiting in Perth The tactical and structural changes fans want to see under Dean Solomon There’s also discussion around Essendon’s youth movement, list build, clearance struggles, Harley Reid, Bailey Williams, Jake Waterman and how the Bombers can respond after one of the toughest weeks the club has faced in years. A reflective, emotional and analytical episode from the Don The Stat team. _____ 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==
- 3 weeks ago32 min
Ian reacts to Brad Scott's Sacking
This was recorded on Patreon live earlier this evening. Ian gives his reaction to Brad Scott's sacking and interacts with Patrons. Jono will give his thoughts on our main show this Thursday
- 3 weeks ago1h 1m
Round 11, 2026: Essendon v Richmond Preview, Media Noise & Contest Concerns
***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 _____ 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==
- May 14, 202656 min
Round 10, 2026: Youth Rising, Opportunities Missed and the Fremantle Test
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. ___ 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==
About 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 where they 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.
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