The Essendon Bombers snuck into the top eight in the 2019 season.
They will be in the mix for a top-eight finish again in season 2020. They have a reasonable list of players, which means it was a tricky exercise to select the ten players they could least afford to lose.
10. Jacob Townsend
Townsend showed that he will be an important part of the Bombers forward line in 2020 by kicking three goals in the opening round of the season against the Fremantle Dockers. Townsend may prove to be one of the bargain recruits of 2020 – the Bombers got him for effectively nothing as he was delisted by the Richmond Tigers at the end of 2019 after being a 2017 premiership player.
9. Jake Stringer
Stringer averaged the most goals per game for Essendon in 2019, averaging 1.74 goals a match. He’s a good player but should be higher on this list based on his talent, as he has plenty of ability and needs to show that for the Bombers to be a threat in season 2020.
8. Kyle Langford
Langford is a good player who should be a pivotal part of the Bombers team if Round 1 is any indication. He’ll prove his performance in that first match was the start of a trend and not an aberration.
7. Dyson Heppell
Heppell is the sole captain of the footy club. More than the fact he’s a good player, he’s part of a midfield that has plenty of depth. He finished fifth in the 2019 Essendon best and fairest count, which shows his importance to the team.
(Paul Kane/Getty Images)
6. Adam Saad
Saad finished third in the 2019 Bombers best and fairest, creating plenty of run out of the backline. Saad was instrumental in Essendon claiming a win over the Dockers in Round 1.
5. Andrew McGrath
McGrath finished sixth in the Essendon 2019 best and fairest count. He displayed what a quality player he is in Round 1 this year, when he was named among the best Bombers players on the AFL website.
4. Michael Hurley
Hurley is a key part of the Essendon defence. He averaged 19.32 disposals per game, providing run out of defence, and has the capability to play on the opposition’s key forward.
3. Joe Daniher
Daniher has been a massive loss for the Bombers from a structural perspective. He also averages 1.81 goals per game and has played over 100 games for the Bombers. According to reports, he is progressing well in his recovery from injury.
(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
2. Dylan Shiel
Shiel finished second in the 2019 Essendon best and fairest count. In Round 1 this year against Fremantle Shiel was the best player in the game, amassing an impressive 35 disposals, which clearly shows how important he is.
1. Zach Merrett
Merrett won the 2019 Essendon best and fairest and put in a reasonable performance in Round 1 this year. He averaged 28.3 disposals in 2019, which is a key indicator of how well he performed last season.
JC
Roar Rookie
Ok - maybe I was being a bit of a nob. Point still stands. Tippa is talismanic. If we have a good year I can’t see Townsend being more than depth.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I agree dodoroo should be given the sack.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I get your decision tbh, his actions in Richmonds premiership year was spectacular. But I would rate tippa higher than townsenf
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
It's just a difference of opinions, but no laziness at all, trust me!
JC
Roar Rookie
So you’ve based this off 1 individual game each - not exactly a range is it. Go back and look over each players respective contributions over the years, in particular the likelihood of Essendon winning when tippa hits the scoreboard. You can’t afford not having that, and most teams have that type for that reason. Essendon struggle to win if he’s contained. Richmond continued to win without Townsend ie he’s replaceable and therefor you can afford to lose him. He had a good game on a big stage, but for Richmond to shop him even after that says something. All this youre basing this on crystal balling and two good games, in novel circumstances, without a crowd and round 1 when the first few games mean fk all until teams find their stride. I hope to god Townsend becomes irreplaceable as his hardness is something Essendon lack, but hardness is pointless these days without a few more weapons. Unfortunately everyone gets a bit excited when someone plays beyond their potential. Put it this way, tippa playing poorly is just as noticeable as Townsend having a belter and I’ve always said that’s the difference between important and depth players. Have another look at the end of the year. Cause this article just reminds me of lazy, rushed, herald sun type observations designed to fill a page rather than doing some diligence and not insulting people who watch the game closely. No offence.
Jorge of Brisvegas
Roar Rookie
Doran, I am glad you have responded to comment in this thread. Perhaps you should have outlined for everyone before they read your lists that you are waiting the first and only game in 2020 very heavily, 2019 next heaviest , then remainder of career as afterthought. Because THEN your lists start to make sense, well more sense. If a player was missing from last year or had a blinder for round 1 then they are at poles apart from your list. Having Jacob Townsend aged of Devon Smith and ATW (Tippa) is astonishing myopia. You are basing a discarded player’s worth to a new club after 1 game(plus some good games in great team) versus years of service across 3 clubs in over 200 games. James Townsend COULD be a good player. He seems to be able to kick multiple goals and seems capable game wise. If he does that across a whole season or two like the other players mentioned. Using stats from 5 games from 3 years ago to support one while discounting 40 games of stats over two years at three club gives an honourable mention ? You cannot have it both ways brother - I cannot wait to read the Tigers article - how you fit 22 players into 10 should be interesting. Daniher is too high on list currently, he should be there but is not. I would replace Tippa for the 1 gamer Townsend and Smith for Langford . Then shuffle list down and put Daniher at 10.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
McGrath is overrated for a no.1 pick. Solid accumulator with neat disposal skills but rarely a springboard or damaging. The legend of Dodoro is actually a myth.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Joe Daniher, sorry but given up waiting for his supposed superstar goal kicking talents to eventuate. A 1.8 goal average per game doesn’t equal the status he is given.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Townsend fitted well into the structure in Round 1 of 2020 and Essendon wouldn’t have won without him. In 2017 when Richmond won the Grand Final, Townsend kicked 2 goals in the game starting on a wing. He averaged 3.2 goals per game in 5 games in 2017. He should recapture that form in Season 2020 if Round 1 was any indication. Expect Townsend to finally get a good run of games together when Season 2020 commences and to benefit from that. Tippa deserves an honourable mention, but was disappointing in Round 1 and only averaged 1.39 goals per game in 2019.
JC
Roar Rookie
Can you justify why Tippa isn’t in that list, yet a bloke who sails in from Richmond for one game is? I’m really trying hard not to be contemptuous of what you’ve cobbled together here...
Matt
Guest
Devon Smith is vitally important to us. I don't know why Townsend's on your list, but whatever. I guess three goals is enough for you.