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Essendon’s 2018 season really was a case of sliding doors. If they had not lost a game to Carlton (giving that club one of the only two wins it achieved in the season) there was every chance that the Dons would have made the final eight as one of the in-form teams.
Who knows how far that could have taken them?
Instead, they finished in 11th position, only one game and percentage behind eighth-placed Geelong. If they had been that one game closer towards the pointy end of the season, they would have had the incentive to bridge the gap. However, based on their form and exciting game plan exhibited in the second half of the season, Bombers fans would appear to have much to look forward to in 2019.
Firstly, the return of their star full-forward, Joe Daniher. Daniher was restricted to only seven games this season for the meagre return of eight goals. A fully fit Daniher – with a medium amount of luck – should be able to play 250 games for the club and even at his meagre goal average (which will improve) that should see him climb into the top sevem goal kickers at the club, passing his uncle Terry along the journey.
For now, most fans would be happy to see a couple of repeats of his six-goal efforts against Brisbane (2015) and Western Bulldogs (2017).
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Secondly, although no other players are within striking distance of joining the elite top 100 game players at the club, the four current members should all continue to make their presence felt.
The leading current player, David Zaharakis, currently sits in equal 35th position and is within 13 games of becoming the 28th Bomber to reach the 200-game milestone for the team. His three cohorts (The three Hs: Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Dyson Heppell) who are currently top 50, top 70 and top 80 respectively are all under 30 years of age and should continue to give the Bombers good service, and – as a result – move consistently up the ranks in 2019.
Excitement machine and crowd favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has played the last 55 of his 66 games in succession (the best by any current Bomber), not missing a match since midway through the 2016 season. He is another reason for Bomber fans to look forward to the 2019 season with great anticipation.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Goal-kicking wise, Daniher, Zaharakis, and Hurley were joined by Orazio Fantasia in the all-time top 100 goalkickers during the year and he quickly moved into the top 90. Cale Hooker was left one goal short of joining Jason Winderlich, Adam McPhee and Scott Cummings on the bottom rung of the top 100 goalkickers at the ‘Dons.
Ruckman Tom Bellchambers, who had an impressive 2018, could also join the list of top 100 goalkickers for the club if he manages to average just over one goal every two games.
The decision to not offer a new contract to Brendon Goddard – while realistic – robbed the club of their only all-time AFL top 100 game player. Goddard played most of his games at St Kilda before joining Essendon in 2013.
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