Without the dark cloud of drug speculation hanging over them, Essendon will win a premiership in the next few years. But how, you ask?
Rewind to the beginning of 2015. ASADA had finished its case and the Essendon Football Club found not guilty. The club was free of speculation and were in the clear of any more allegations.
Sydney, Round 1. The Bombers go down to the runners-up of 2014 72-60 in a valiant effort.
Hawthorn, Round 2. Essendon beat the premiers by two points. They appear to be back to their very best.
Carlton, Round 3. A huge win over the Blues sees Essendon go 2-1 and sit inside the top four.
Before Round 4, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) take on ASADA’s case. The Bombers seem shattered and the club struggles to win for the rest of the year, suffering big losses to bottom teams such as St Kilda.
The return of the 12 guilty Essendon players could herald the revival of one of the most successful football clubs of all time. It feels like years since we have seen the likes of Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell and company don the red sash.
Essendon officials and coach John Worsfold have publicly declared they hope to retain all of the banned players. What will happen if the club does retain all 12 of them? What condition will they come back in?
If they continue, they will return in November. This means they will have a whole preseason under their belts. This should be long enough for them to return to their best.
With all of them fully-fit and back in the side, that team could be looking pretty tasty, particularly when you add the number one draft pick to that list. We all know how much Jacob Weitering has offered Carlton.
For now, we only need to know who is going to re-sign for Essendon; who looks likely, who doesn’t, and who has already?
Players that have resigned
Travis Colyer. Adds so much pace to the line-up, can play as a small forward or a wingman. He’s only 24 years old and will be with the club until 2019.
Heath Hocking. Was the first banned player to re-sign for the Bombers and is a tough midfielder who can also play as a tagger.
David Myers. Has had a tough time with injury throughout his career, but has a chance to get his body right with a year off footy this year. Myers has signed until 2019 and is a powerful left-footed midfielder who can be so dangerous if he gets fit.
Cale Hooker. One of the premier defenders in the competition. He’s earned All-Australian honours in the past, and is a significant cog for Essendon.
Dyson Heppell. Has opened a court case seeking compensation from Essendon but is contracted until 2020.
Players that will play next year and why
Tom Bellchambers. His agent Shane Casley said “Cale (Hooker) has had opportunities to leave and he’s been very loyal. My gut feel is that wouldn’t change now.” Expect him to return in 2017.
Michael Hibberd. Expect to see Hibberd donning the sash again next year. He has rejected club offers before and should stay with the Bombers.
Brent Stanton. Stanton is now 29 years old and has been training with the banned players. Expect to see him back again but not the same player as he once was.
Michael Hurley. There’s major speculation about Hurley, who is a 50/50 chance to sign on again. As a young key defender who is attracting many offers from rival clubs, his return would be massive for the club.
Ben Howlett. Howlett hasn’t recommitted but has been training with his banned teammates which is a good sign.
Players that possibly won’t play next year and why
Tayte Pears. Pears could be done with football. It would be surprising to see the injury-prone defender recommit for next year.
Jobe Watson. The 31-year-old may never play football again after falling out of love with the game last season. Seeing him back would be a massive boost for the club, but if 11 return and the captain does not, it could be heartbreaking for Essendon. He has been training with teammates though, which a positive sign.
How Essendon could line up in 2017
Defence: Hibberd, Hooker, Baguley
Half back: McDonald-Tipungwuti, Hurley, Myers
Midfield: Colyer, Heppell, Stanton
Half forward: Goddard, Daniher, Parish
Forwards: Brown, Bellchambers, Fantasia
Rucks: Leuenberger, Watson, Zaharakis
Interchange: Hocking, Z.Merrett, Cooney, Francis
Add some draft picks to that team, possibly a number one pick, no more pressure of the drugs speculation, and yes, this team could be a force to be reckoned with.
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