Podcasts about Essendon

We are officially 15 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   We'll be back tomorrow for Day 14 and Guernsey Number 14. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

The dress rehearsal before the real stuff starts is upon us with the AAMI Community Series. AFL Fantasy coaches will be watching carefully and taking in the live stats (available via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live app) as they make their selections ahead of round one. Calvin, Roy and Warnie discuss what they'll be looking for and running through a player or two from each game that they'll be keeping an eye on. Head to fantasy.afl.com.au or download the app to start picking your team today. Episode guide 0:30 - Tips for what to look for in AAMI 3:30 - Carlton v Geelong 5:45 - Sydney v GWS Giants 7:30 - Brisbane v Gold Coast 9:50 - Melbourne v Richmond 12:20 - Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn 15:50 - St Kilda v Essendon 18:10 - Fremantle v Adelaide 20:45 - North Melbourne v Collingwood 24:20 - West Coast v Port Adelaide - - - - Find more from Roy, Calvin and Warnie. Head to afl.com.au/fantasy for more content from The Traders. Like AFL Fantasy on Facebook. Follow @AFLFantasy on Instagram. Follow @AFLFantasy on X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 16 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time. Guernsey Number 16 - has been worn by Premiership players across multiple eras and now sits firmly in the hands of Essendon's next generation. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 15 and Guernsey Number 15. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

The AFL season is days away and Corbin and Ben run through your must listen season preview for all 18 teams and first up are the bottom four teams from 2025.Can Essendon get past their injury plagued 2025 and show enough to lure Zak Butters to the Hangar, will the fourth year of Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne see a Kangaroo leap or the coach's demise, can Richmond continue to evolve their next generation of stars and can West Coast Eagles find hope beyond Harley Reid?Key players, juicy storylines, draw analysis, over/under win predictions and more for your team, all this week on ABC AFL Daily.ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast', hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

We are officially 17 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   We'll be back tomorrow for Day 16 and Guernsey Number 16. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

The Phantom, Chief, and Five Names delve into all the big names from the first round of AFL practice matches in 2026. Is Lachlan McAndrew legit? Could Lachlan Blakiston save our defensive line? Is fading Tristan Xerri growing legs? Is Sam Flanders the greatest player in the history of the game? Plenty of questions need answering as we get our first proper taste of practice match action. Plus, Five Names breaks some news on a new cheapie from the Crows, The Phantom's new ruck setup, and The Chief botches his keeper league draft. Subscribe to the CODE Sports YouTube channel and help get us to our 23k target for an in-person Lair catchup at Gather Round! Join The Lair League: 128532 Make your team now: supercoach.com.au or via the SuperCoach app. More practice match intel by JordsFTTV: https://bit.ly/4tMVqY0 READ THE ROOKIE BIBLE: http://bit.ly/3NeM2eP?utm_campaign=EditorialSB&utm_source=supercoach&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=rookiebible&utm_term=supercoach%2Cafl The Phantom's team reveal: https://bit.ly/4b9WQ8e CHAPTERS:Intro and keeper league recap (00:00)Practice match thoughts (04:00)The ruck situation: McAndrew, Blakiston (06:00)Coleman, Flanders, Roberts, Parish (16:00)Sharp, Farrow, Grlj, Uwland, Duursma, Jagga (21:00)Thilthorpe, Rachele, Visentini, Jones, Brodie (26:30)Kozzy Pickett, Steele, Phillipou, MacDonald (30:00)Will Ashcroft, Rowston, Oliver, Gulden (33:00)Nas, McCarthy, Maric, Robertson (39:30)More names! (42:45)Lair League (46:40) Hosts:The Phantom: @ThePhantomSC /X | @ThePhantomSC /IGDos: @HKDos /X | @dossySC /IGSimeon Thomas-Wilson: @Simeon_TW /X Produced by Haydn Kenny. Recorded on Monday, February 23, 2026. SuperCoach Plus: supercoach.com.au/sc-plus Follow SuperCoach AFL on Instagram. Follow SuperCoach AFL on TikTok. Follow SuperCoach AFL on X. Like SuperCoach AFL on Facebook. Subscribe on CODE Sports YouTube Channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daisy and Isaac look back on a big week, with Essendon's Nic Martin and Archie Roberts in studio, stuff you got confiscated by airport security, Chinese New Year, Australian Survivor: Redemption host David Genat, a shambolic Hump Day Quiz, Jack Heverin, an Idiot FIle, and Billy's best joke of the week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 18 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time. Guernsey Number 18 stands as one of Essendon's most decorated jumpers — spanning Premierships from 1911 to the modern era and worn by some of the club's greatest names. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 17 and Guernsey Number 17. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

Yessss hello Tradies! We are back to kick off 2026, and what better way to start than with Sam's A-Graders list! Mitch and Sam had plenty to discuss after a long summer, including Mason Cox's fresh start at Collingwood, the reports surrounding Zach Merrett's willingness to sign an extension at Essendon, Harley Reid (obviously) and more. Enjoy Tradies, and don't forget to get in touch to let us know what you think!

Calvin, Roy and Warnie - with the help of Nathan Schmook - review the nine matsch simulations over the last week. They offer their first take on the games and chat through relevant players. With some stats from the Fantasy community - thanks Heff, Pete and co - they try to make sense of who impressed from the eye test and what the numbers say. Head to fantasy.afl.com.au or download the app to pick your team now. Episode guide 3:40 - Hawthorn v Geelong 7:15 - Brisbane v Carlton 12:20 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney 17:55 - St Kilda v Gold Coast [insert ad] 23:20 - Essendon v Richmond 32:10 - Collingwood v GWS Giants 39:00 - Melbourne v North Melbourne 45:15 - Adelaide v Port Adelaide 56:20 - Fremantle v West Coast - - - - Find more from Roy, Calvin and Warnie. Head to afl.com.au/fantasy for more content from The Traders. Like AFL Fantasy on Facebook. Follow @AFLFantasy on Instagram. Follow @AFLFantasy on X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 19 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   We'll be back tomorrow for Day 18 and Guernsey Number 18. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

Essendon coach Brad Scott goes one on one with AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey. Zach Merrett wanted out of the club during the trade period but in the end the trade fell over and he came back to the Bombers. He and the club has put that behind them now and they're looking forward to a strong 2026. The Bombers had an injury crisis through 2025, Scott explains what they've done to go about changing their injury fortunes in 2026. Subscribe to Your Coach wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 20 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time. Guernsey Number 20 stands as a symbol of longevity, forward firepower, and Premiership success throughout Essendon's history. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 19 and Guernsey Number 19. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

  Essendon's first practice match of 2026 is in the books and so are our First Thoughts. Normally exclusive to our Patreon subscribers, we've made this pre-season edition public so you can hear how we break down games immediately after the siren. In this episode: Negatives Another slow start. Jumped again early Forward defensive habits still inconsistent Ball use (improved as the game wore on) The concern around Jordan Ridley's calf setback Positives Strong corridor defence even when under pressure Emerging roles: Duursma and Roberts look like real positional shifts Midfield contest work Sharp hands and ground ball wins from the next wave Darcy Parish looking fit and back to his best   We take it with a grain of salt, it's February, after all but there were clear themes worth noting. No Jack Kirby Medal votes for practice matches, but the structure, habits and system clues are already showing. If you enjoy this format, our First Thoughts episodes drop after every single game for Patreon members throughout the season.   Stay Safe & Go Dons.

Isaac Smith is filling in for Bali-bound Billy, and kicks it off with the All Sports Report, as we win another medal in Milan, and a dog makes headlines. Essendon's Nic Martin and Archie Roberts are in studio, and Topics Smith has a very popular phoner idea. Kate McCarthy calls in from Canberra ahead of the 2nd Women's T20 between Australia and India, and Isaac puts together a Top 5 list of people who probably were too imbibed to be on air. Greg Rust calls in with more info on Adelaide taking the Moto GP from Phillip Island, then we have an enormous Idiot File. Finally, Billy has sent in a joke from Bali... and it's a little yuck.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 21 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   We'll be back tomorrow for Day 20 and Guernsey Number 20. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

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We are officially 22 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time. Guernsey Number 22 stands as a symbol of scoring impact and Premiership pedigree at the Essendon Football Club We'll be back tomorrow for Day 21 and Guernsey Number 21. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

Pre-season is heating up and SuperCoaches need to know who's burning up the track, who's in the rehab group and who is ready to fire in a new role in 2026. Al Paton is joined by CODE Sports' Josh Barnes for the latest SuperCoach intel from Essendon, Richmond, Melbourne, North Melbourne. Get the inside word on some of the most relevant teams in SuperCoach and the player who "moves and plays like Dusty". CHAPTERS:Track watch with Josh Barnes (00:00)Injury updates - Green, Rowell (01:45)Essendon (03:30)Richmond (10:45)Melbourne (15:00)North Melbourne (21:45)SC Podcast league (28:00) Hosts:Al Paton: @al_superfooty /XJosh Barnes: @Josh__Barnes /XProduced by Haydn Kenny and Craig Hughes. Recorded on Wednesday, February 18 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After they reminisce about some of their greatest torpedo kicks, Billy and Daisy kick us off with the All Sports Report, as Australia is perilously close to being eliminated from the T20 World Cup. Comedian Nick Cody is in studio to talk about his new tour, and how a Super Bowl party with Brendan Fevola almost cost him his marriage. Topics Thomas wants to know what you've had confiscated at airport security, Billy has made some Rush Hour fortune cookies to celebrate Chinese New Year, Daisy's A-W 2026 AFL Season Preview continues with Essendon, and we have an apology to make to one of our guests. Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews calls in ahead of a practice game against the Blues tomorrow, and Billy finishes with a joke about a cheating husband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 23 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   We'll be back tomorrow for Day 22 and Guernsey Number 22. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

The Phantom, Chief, and Daddsy return to discuss all things FORWARDS in SuperCoach AFL 2026. There appears to be an obvious number one man in our forward line, but who makes up the rest? Can we go value-heavy, or is it worth paying up for some fire power up forward? The Phantom makes a huge call on a bargain basement pick, Daddsy picks his favourite surprise POD, and the Chief annoints a brand new GOAT. Plus, The Phantom's top six forwards, must-have rookies, and Dossy's draft advice! Subscribe to the CODE Sports YouTube channel and help get us to our 23k target for an in-person Lair catchup at Gather Round! Join The Lair League: 128532 Make your team now: supercoach.com.au or via the SuperCoach app. READ THE ROOKIE BIBLE: http://bit.ly/3NeM2eP?utm_campaign=EditorialSB&utm_source=supercoach&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=rookiebible&utm_term=supercoach%2Cafl The Phantom's team reveal: https://bit.ly/4b9WQ8e CHAPTERS:Adam Treloar news (00:00)FORWARDS (01:00)State of Origin mashup (03:00)Last year’s winning structure (07:30)The Phantom’s top six forwards (09:30)Could you fade Sheezel? (16:00)Daddy’s Diamonds (22:00)Matt Rowell OUT (26:30)A surprise guest (27:20) Unique Names with Five Names (29:00)Mid-price power rankings (30:30)Cheapies and rookies (40:30) Draft strategy and sleepers (46:45) Hosts:The Phantom: @ThePhantomSC /X | @ThePhantomSC /IGDos: @HKDos /X | @dossySC /IGSimeon Thomas-Wilson: @Simeon_TW /X Charlie Dadds: @charliejdadds /X Produced by Haydn Kenny. Recorded on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. SuperCoach Plus: supercoach.com.au/sc-plus Follow SuperCoach AFL on Instagram. Follow SuperCoach AFL on TikTok. Follow SuperCoach AFL on X. Like SuperCoach AFL on Facebook. Subscribe on CODE Sports YouTube Channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 24 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time. Guernsey Number 24 - a jumper defined by endurance, Premiership success, and some of the longest-serving players the club has ever produced. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 23 and Guernsey Number 23. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 25 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Guernsey Number 25 — a number defined by goals, Premierships, and one of the most durable scoring forwards the club has ever seen.   _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

Thanks to Robert Shaw for being a part of this episode. We are officially 26 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Guernsey Number 26 — a number defined by elite goalkicking, leadership, Premiership success, and one very important link to Don The Stat itself. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 26 and Guernsey Number 26. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 27 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Guernsey Number 27 — a jumper defined by ruck royalty, Premiership success, and one of the most enduring individual legacies in Essendon history.   _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We're 29 days out from Round 1… and that means one thing for Essendon fans: Selection season has officially begun. On this special episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Ian are joined by former Essendon premiership architect and two-time senior AFL coach Robert Shaw, who steps into the role of Chairman of Selectors. The task? Pick the Essendon side best placed to take on Hawthorn in Round 1. This isn't a “Best 23” debate. It's about matchups. Structure. Game style. And how the Bombers should approach a Hawks side missing key midfield pieces. We cover:

We are officially 28 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Guernsey Number 28 — a number shaped by durability, Premiership success, and one of the great long-term custodians in club history. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 27 and Guernsey Number 27. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

The Phantom, Chief, and Five Names reunite to discuss all things RUCKS in SuperCoach. New rules are the talk of town for the big dogs in fantasy land... but how much impact will they really have? The Phantom makes a huge call on one of the most popular picks in SuperCoach, Five Names unveils a massive POD, while Chihuahua Chief sits on the fence. Plus, The Phantom's top five rucks, must-have rookies, and Dossy's draft advice! Subscribe to the CODE Sports YouTube channel and help get us to our 23k target for an in-person Lair catchup at Gather Round! Join The Lair League: 128532 Make your team now: supercoach.com.au or via the SuperCoach app. READ THE ROOKIE BIBLE: http://bit.ly/3NeM2eP?utm_campaign=EditorialSB&utm_source=supercoach&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=rookiebible&utm_term=supercoach%2Cafl The Phantom's team reveal: https://bit.ly/4b9WQ8e CHAPTERS:RUCKS (00:00)Rule changes (01:50)Fade Xerri? (04:45)The winning structure last year (06:15)The Phantom’s Top Five Rucks (07:10)Unique Names with Five Names (17:00)Mid-price power rankings (20:00)Rookies (23:45) Draft strategy and sleepers (27:50)The Lair League (30:00) Hosts:The Phantom: @ThePhantomSC /X | @ThePhantomSC /IGDos: @HKDos /X | @dossySC /IGSimeon Thomas-Wilson: @Simeon_TW /X | simeon_thomaswilson /IG Produced by Haydn Kenny. Recorded on Thursday, February 12, 2026. SuperCoach Plus: supercoach.com.au/sc-plus Follow SuperCoach AFL on Instagram. Follow SuperCoach AFL on TikTok. Follow SuperCoach AFL on X. Like SuperCoach AFL on Facebook. Subscribe on CODE Sports YouTube Channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 29 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 29 — a jumper with Premiership history, and a Reynolds family thread across generations. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

Billy's got a fresh look, and kicks the show off with the All Sports Report - and an early AFL retirement. Former Alpine Skier Jono Bauer calls in to tell us which Aussies can win medals in Milan, then Billy responds to accusations from the Mick In The Morning team that he stole Nick Riewoldt's air fryer from the office. Topics Thomas wants to know about the unusual thing you found in your house, we've got more footy news from Essendon and Collingwood, and we put State of Origin tickets up for grabs as WA listeners tell us why the west is better than Victoria. Melbourne Demons captain Max Gawn is in studio to talk State of Origin and what to expect from the Dees this year, then Billy made us wait 24 hours - but he's got the joke that he couldn't find yesterday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 30 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 30 — a number that has quietly carried Premiership players, long-serving contributors, and now the next generation. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 29 and Guernsey Number 29. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

Damian Barrett and Nathan Schmook bring you the latest footy news on AFL Daily. Zach Merrett was adamant he wanted out of Bomberland during the 2025 Trade Period, now it's been revealed he's in discussions with Essendon for a contract extension beyond 2027. Is right now the time to be holding those conversations? Fremantle have spent the pre-season sharpening their attention to detail & following the lead of the reigning premiers the Lions. And another injury setback for St Kilda power-forward Max King. Subscribe to AFL Daily and never miss an episode. Rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Don The Stat, we sit down with Xavier Duursma as he reflects on his third pre-season at Essendon Football Club and why this one feels like a turning point. After playing the most games of his career in 2025, Xavier speaks openly about how his body is tracking, the confidence that comes from continuity, and how that's allowed him to fully invest in his game. We dive into: his role heading into 2026 and what it demands the differences between playing wing and half-forward what he brings to Essendon's forward line the impact of new Assistant Coach Dean Solomon his leadership aspirations and what growth off the field looks like for him how his brother is settling in at West Coast Eagles and what excites him most about Essendon in 2026, including big praise for Jordan Ridley and the club's new draftees. It's a conversation about role clarity, trust in your body, learning from strong coaches, and stepping into greater responsibility all pointing toward why Xavier believes 2026 could be an exciting year.

We are officially 31 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 31 — a number that grew into greatness, and ultimately became inseparable from one of the greatest careers the game has seen. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

The Phantom, Chief, and Five Names reunite to discuss all things MIDFIELDERS in SuperCoach. It's the regular suspects of Bont, Butters and Daicos that are hot on SuperCoaches radars this pre-season... but not in that order! Is paying up the big bucks for Bont worth it? A plethora of juicy mid-price options are also hard to ignore, but how many can we fit into our squads and are they worth the risk? Plus, The Phantom's top eight midfielders, Unique Names with Five Names, and the must-have midfield rookies! Subscribe to the CODE Sports YouTube channel and help get us to our 23k target for an in-person Lair catchup at Gather Round! Join The Lair League: 128532 Make your team now: supercoach.com.au or via the SuperCoach app. READ THE ROOKIE BIBLE: http://bit.ly/3NeM2eP?utm_campaign=EditorialSB&utm_source=supercoach&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=rookiebible&utm_term=supercoach%2Cafl The Phantom's team reveal: https://bit.ly/4b9WQ8e CHAPTERS:MIDFIELDERS (00:00)The winning structure last year (05:30)The Phantom’s Top Eight! (07:30)Highly owned players (13:45)Unique Names with Five Names (22:45)Mid-price power rankings (28:00)Cheapies (33:30)Rookies (35:50)Draft strategy and sleepers (41:50)The Lair League (45:30) Hosts:The Phantom: @ThePhantomSC /X | @ThePhantomSC /IGDos: @HKDos /X | @dossySC /IGSimeon Thomas-Wilson: @Simeon_TW /X | simeon_thomaswilson /IG Produced by Haydn Kenny. Recorded on Monday, February 9, 2026. SuperCoach Plus: supercoach.com.au/sc-plus Follow SuperCoach AFL on Instagram. Follow SuperCoach AFL on TikTok. Follow SuperCoach AFL on X. Like SuperCoach AFL on Facebook. Subscribe on CODE Sports YouTube Channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 32 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 32 — a number defined by longevity, leadership, and Premiership success across generations. We'll be back tomorrow for Day 31 and Guernsey Number 31. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 34 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 33 — a number rich in Premiership history, longevity, and attacking excellence. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 34 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 34 — a number that carries Premiership history, generational links, and the start of several important Essendon journeys. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 35 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 35 — a number defined by durability, Premiership success, and long-term service. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

The 2026 season is officially underway at Don The Stat. With just weeks until Essendon's first practice match and Round 1 against Hawthorn looming, Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume return for the first formal episode of the year to take stock of where the Bombers are really at. In this season opener, the boys cover: Year five of Don The Stat and the growing Patreon community The 2026 countdown series exploring every Essendon jumper number A quiet but encouraging off-season and what “no news” actually means The ongoing CEO search and whether it should concern supporters A first entrant for the 2026 Terrible Media Takes Award (an award that has a new name) Insights from club media day, including interviews with Darcy Parish and Xavier Duursma Three reasons for optimism heading into 2026 Three genuine areas of concern Listener questions on improvement areas and realistic ladder position Plus, a look ahead at what's coming next at Don The Stat HQ Balanced, honest, and grounded in evidence - this is your starting point for the 2026 Essendon season. ________ Footy Tipping Comp (password: DonTheStat2026) https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/Don_The_Stat_2026_Tipping?p=DonTheStat2026 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==      

Essendon legend Simon Madden joined Jimmy Bartel for an in-depth interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Essendon legend Simon Madden joined Jimmy Bartel for an in-depth interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially 36 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 36 — a number tied to Premierships, resilience, and one of the most famous family moments the game has ever seen. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

In this episode of Don The Stat, we sit down with Darcy Parish for one of his most open and reflective conversations yet. Darcy talks through the recent news of he and his wife expecting their second child in August, and how fatherhood is reshaping his perspective both on and off the field. We talk about his fitness - why he made the trip to Baltimore in search of answers, and the collaboration between Darcy, Essendon's high performance team, and external specialists to rebuild him physically. From there, Darcy opens up on: what “fit and firing” actually looks like for him now the role he sees himself playing in 2026 the teammates he's most excited to line up alongside and why there's a genuine sense of belief building at Essendon Football Club.

We are officially 37 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 37 — a number that took time to find its identity, but now firmly belongs in the modern era. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 38 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 38 — a number that has repeatedly marked the beginning of long, successful Essendon journeys. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 39 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 39 — a number that has repeatedly marked the beginning of long, successful Essendon journeys. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 40 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 — and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 40 — a number that evolved from a fringe role into a modern-day mainstay. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian 

We are officially 41 days out from Essendon's Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 — and between now and then, we're doing something a little bit different. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down our Top 100 Essendon players since 1980. In 2026, we're kicking off a daily countdown to Round 1, 2026 but instead of just ticking off days on a calendar, we're counting them down through Essendon's guernsey numbers. Who wore it first. Who wore it most. Which Premiership players pulled it on. Brownlow winners, club legends, cult heroes, and sometimes the obscure one-gamer that still forms part of the story.   By the time we get to Number 1, we'll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we'll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.   Jumper Number 41 —  a transitional number, often worn at the very start of journeys that went on to shape Essendon history. _______________________ Links: Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat  Don The Stat Patreon Don The Stat on Facebook  Don The Stat on Instagram  Follow Us on X / Twitter Jono / Ian