2016 has been a bit of everything, throwing challenges at our club that were unprecedented.

STATISTICAL ANALYIS

Diposals 7TH

Marks 1ST

Tackles 17TH

Handball 4TH

Ccontested Possession 18TH

Uncontested Possession 2ND

Marks Inside 50 17TH

Clearances 17TH

Centre clearances 17TH

Inside 50 15TH

Goals for 18TH

Goal accuracy 18TH 

In 2016 Essendon played a high possession game.  The side had no problem gaining possession.  As number one marking team in the competition, this showed Essendon's want to maintain the ball and deny the opposition, yet at times this resulted in indirect movement which created the opportunity for opposition turnovers.  Their contested work was generally poor and this will be a big focus moving forward.  Low clearances (17th), 17th in tackles and 18th in contested ball indicate Essendon will have to make up significant ground in the physical areas of the game.

The high possession-high mark ratio also shows an inability to move the ball decisively and directly through the middle of the ground as evidenced by the Inside 50 position of 15th.  Once Inside 50 Essendon was unable to transfer possession gained into effective scoring finishing low down in marks Inside 50 (17th), Goals (18th) and goal accuracy (18th).

In summary: become a better contested team (including tackling) and work very hard over summer on ball use going through the middle of the ground and particularly finding targets Inside 50.  While some may argue 'lack of talent', it takes no talent to contest of tackle.  Essendon’s accuracy has been well documented and while Joe Daniher has taken his football to a new level, his biomechanical and psychological preparation for goal kicking needs a structured and ongoing program over the summer.  It was great to see him relax on Saturday in a dominant performance. 

PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

In unprecedented circumstances, including the late recruiting of top ups, Essendon started the season a long way behind the other clubs.  To be able to send the team out each week in a positive, spirited frame of mind was a great tick to the coaching panel and the leaders of the Club. 

For any Club the bottom line is effort and Essendon’s ladder position belies the overall competitive effort the team put in.  This was generally applauded by all sections of the Club and the greater football community.  Essendon never gave up and that can’t be said for a number of other teams in the competition.  It was a superb performance in this area, highlighted by the emotional and decisive victory on Saturday.

THE COACH ANALYSIS

Presented an exterior to the public of being measured, positive and in control.  It was certainly the job and circumstances made for John Worsfold and as an Essendon member I applaud him for regaining the respect of the football community.  Internally he embraced and communicated with all levels of the Club and this was critical in a trying year.  The best wrap I can give John Worsfold is to say that I felt that I was ‘watching my club again’.

WIN/LOSS ANALYSIS

Of course it does matter that Essendon has recorded a wooden spoon for the first time since 1933.  But well done to the players who clearly decided that pride and culture means more than the first pick.  No player on that list would want that.  But the season will always have an asterisk alongside its name so people will understand.  Still it would’ve hurt Essendon people though and what a challenge lies ahead - wooden spoon to top 8 in 2017? 

While the season was a pass mark remarkably this team could have or should have won more games.  The loss to the disappointing dispirited Brisbane was an obvious opportunity for one more win.  The Carlton win was an example of what could have been. They played dynamic football.

The two clear disappointing losses were to Brisbane by six goals and to Fremantle by 80 points.  Yet to highlight my point about missed opportunity I give you the following ‘gettable’ games:

  • Carlton Round 6 -15 points
  • North Melbourne Round 8 -14 points
  • GWS Round 13 -27 points
  • St Kilda Round 16 -11 points
  • Richmond Round 17 -19 points

I’ll argue that while many said Essendon wouldn’t win a game and three wins may appear satisfactory, the team should have/could have won another 3-5 games in what would have been an extraordinary performance from everyone at the Club. Winning builds confidence and reinforces coaching philosophy and game plan. It also makes Monday a great day at the Club.

The two losses to Fremantle and Brisbane were disheartening and uncompetitive.  Despite being well beaten at times by top teams, Essendon missed some golden opportunities.  For their efforts they deserved a couple more wins.  I’m so glad they got the Carlton game. It meant a lot. 

TALE OF THE TAPE ANALYSIS 

Adding to the previous analysis let’s look at quarter by quarter.  Nearly 50% of Essendon’s first quarters set the scene for the rest of the game.  The Bombers were too often put out of business when they were at their freshest and the peak of their awareness and preparation.  There would be major discussions regarding this isolated, yet critical area, at the season review.  Regardless of ability levels; at least don’t concede starts.  Essendon were aware of this and at times changed their warm up to coincide with a later arrival on the ground. A little bit of a ‘what if’ scenario here.

Round 1 Gold Coast 1st Q 5 goals to 1

Round 3 Port 1st Q 7-1

Round 5 Collingwood 1st Q 8 -1

Round 8 North 1st Q 4-0

Round 10 Richmond 1st Q 6-3

Round 11 Fremantle 1st Q 5-1

Round 12 Hawthorn 1st Q 6-2

Round 18 Brisbane 1st Q 6-3

Round 22 West Bulldogs 1st Q 6-3

In 9 1st quarters  we had 12 goals ‘for’ and 48 goals conceded

TOP UP ANALYSIS

It is well documented that Essendon had to move swiftly, with short notice and I guess in some case restricted intellectual property.  Mathew Stokes, James Kelly, Ryan Crowley and Jonathan Simpkin have played in Grand Finals.  Their experience was invaluable, particularly I imagine, behind the scenes.  Sam Grimley, Sam Michael, Mark Jamar, James Polkinghorne and Matt Dea were all delisted players.  From the senior core, James Kelly was an outstanding contributor and from the delisting group Matt Dea was impressive in holding down some really tough jobs in defence.  It is amazing considering these players arrived at the club with limited physical preparation.

They all should be rightfully acknowledged for their contribution to the Club and while Essendon people rejoice at the suspended players re-signing just think about this: Maybe it was these blokes (top ups) that helped make it the place those boys wanted to come back to. Don’t forget them! 

EXISTING PLAYER ANALYSIS

Under the pressure of the season, existing players on the list were given an opportunity to step up or step down.  David Zaharakis set the ball rolling before other clubs quickly realised he was Essendon’s most creative player and immediately locked him down.  This opened up the opportunity for Zach Merrett to blossom as Zaharakis took a lot of the physical pressure on himself.  I loved Merrett’s year but my admiration for Zaharakis grew immensely. 

Joe Daniher did really well and continued his emergence once he started to move around the forward line.   Before that he was an easy target deep inside 50 for a 3rd man up.  His goal kicking must be fixed.  

Patrick Ambrose ran and competed with some of the best mobile forwards in the competition and transformed his game from a half forward to deep in defence.  His partner was Martin Gleeson who gained confidence in his own ability.  He looks like a player that believes he belongs at the level.  Orazio Fantasia has grown physically and in status.  He has two dimensions to his game as a creative forward and a running outside mid. Fantasia will be tremendously important to team balance in 2017 in either role.

THE BOLTERS ANALYSIS

Good group this one.  Michael Hartley, Darcy Parish and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti - all with their own story.  Parish had pedigree through recognisable existing talent pathways as an easily identified draft prospect.  The recruiting of the other two boys was outstanding talent identification.  All have an enormous amount of development still to come so pre-season can’t come quick enough.

THE ’L’ FACTOR ANALYSIS

They both came into the last game of the season with 'bits and pieces' seasons.  Injury and some loss of form meant we did not see the absolute best of Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford.  Their role and combination across half forward against Carlton was superb and will surely project them into a very optimistic 2017 pre-season.  The L’s are a real X-factor.  Modern day footballers.

IT JUST WONT FALL INTO PLACE ANALYSIS

Essendon people will have high expectations as the suspended players will filter back to pre-season.  For the first time in four years many will play without burden.  The top eight is filled with very good teams and outside the eight are teams with very high expectations to bounce back hard.

It will be good for the Football Department to gel this new, talented list and push towards the eight.  The pressure will now be rightly on the coaches and the players to do what they enjoy; win football games. Normal service has resumed.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Thanks to Simon and Jack in the Media Department.  I really enjoyed working with you.  It’s been great helping out the club in a small way.  Thanks for the feedback, the Twitter and Facebook dialogue and I wish all Essendon people a great 2017. 

"It's been emotional" -- Big Chris: Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels.