With Essendon finishing as predicted in last on the AFL ladder, we look at what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong for the Bombers in a suspension-hit 2016.
What’s gone right?
The club has done what it promised to do and blood youngsters in what was always going to be a difficult and testing season.
The emergence of Zach Merrett, Kyle Langford, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Joe Daniher will please Dons supporters and provide hope that the next band of talent has what it takes to compete at AFL level.
The Bombers were able to stay competitive, largely due to the influence and experience the top up players have provided.
In particular Matt Dea and James Kelly, who both reinvigorated their careers and are big chances of landing a contract in 2017, whether it be at Essendon or somewhere else.
John Worsfold has been a major positive in a tough season, providing Essendon with a sound game plan and a clear focus on blooding youngsters to complement the senior players returning next season.
What’s gone wrong?
There is no bigger failure in an AFL season than ‘winning’ the Wooden Spoon, but more tellingly, a few fringe players, such as Jackson Merrett, Shaun Edwards, Courtney Dempsey, Nick Kommer and Shaun McKernan have failed to grasp their chance, and collectively all had disappointing seasons.
The Bombers would have hoped that the bans on 12 senior players would be to the benefit of these players, but they have been unable to reach any great heights. The Bombers’ lack of scoring power left them only reaching triple figures in one game, in Round 23.
Even with the return of Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers, this issue has plagued the Bombers for several years.
Best and Fairest?
The young midfielder Zach Merrett has enjoyed a wonderful 2016, finishing sixth in the competition for total disposals and displaying some superb leadership for a player who is just 20 years of age.
Merrett is such a compact, balanced midfielder and is only going to improve with Dyson Heppell, possibly Jobe Watson, David Myers, Brent Stanton and Ben Howlett in the fray in 2017.
Merrett should take out the Crichton Medal in a landslide, but veteran James Kelly, stand in skipper Brendan Goddard and Joe Daniher will be thereabouts.
1. Zach Merrett
2. Brendan Goddard
3. James Kelly
4. Joe Daniher
5. David Zaharakis
Can they make finals in 2017?
No, I think the Bombers are still a mid range side even with the return of their banned senior players. They will improve, of course, but the Bombers still finished bottom four in 2015 with their entire squad together, supplement scandal or not.
The Bombers may have trouble finding a mix that works initially and I’d say they will start to slowly to be a serious finals contender. A finish from 10-14th next season is the most likely scenario.
Possible delistings:
Nick Kommer
Shaun Edwards
Alex Morgan
Shaun McKernan
Courtenay Dempsey
Current draft order:
1, 19, 37, 55
The next big thing
Darcy Parish enjoyed a stellar debut season and is a chance to earn the coveted NAB Rising Star award. As a midfielder, Parish just over 20 touches in the bottom side, also missing just two games for management purposes. The kid is going to be star of the competition and a player Essendon can enjoy watching for the next decade.
In the off season…
It will be about re-introducing the Bombers players back to AFL football and getting them into Worsfold’s structure. The club will have a serious look at Jaeger O’Meara and could be a potential home for the runaway Sun, as the Bombers have the facilities, cash and draft picks in their arsenal.
Essendon will be active in the trade period but also wary that it needs to reinvigorate a squad that will again be disrupted due to multiple changes.
2016 rating: C
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Now that was a quick change of mind!
