Season Preview: Essendon

2020 Recap The Bombers looked lost at times in 2020,. Their game style was unclear and it wasn't obvious to fans how their team was going to win games of football. They managed to get Joe Daniher back on the park, but the key forward has since headed north and the club will be looking to fill the void. Sam Draper and Jordan Ridley were the key highlights with the latter taking out the club Best & Fairest. Ridley was solid down back all year in what was his first full season in the team. [caption id="attachment_59592" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 14: Jordan Ridley of the Bombers runs the ball during the round 2 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Essendon Bombers at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 14, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/Getty Images)[/caption] The Bombers found themselves under the pump with John Worsfold and Ben Rutten splitting the coaching duties, a plan that didn't seem to do either man any good. They were out of the finals discussion a long way before the season's end and it was hard to see what way the Bombers would be travelling. Off-season moves Ins: Peter Wright (Gold Coast), Jye Caldwell (GWS), Nick Hind (St Kilda), Nik Cox (Draft), Archie Perkins (Draft), Zach Reid (Draft), Josh Eyre (Draft). [caption id="attachment_70964" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Archie Perkins handballs during the 2019 U17 Futures Match between Vic Metro and Queensland at Ikon Park on August 11, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Outs: Joe Daniher (Brisbane), Adam Saad (Carlton), Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide), Conor McKenna (Retired), Tom Bellchambers (Retired), Shaun McKernan (St Kilda), Mitch Hibberd (Delisted), Kobe Mutch (Delisted), Josh Begley (Delisted), Noah Gown (Delisted). Off-season Grade C- Hard to get too excited by the off-season of the Bombers, as a side that missed finals would usually look to add talent to take the next step, but the Bombers instead saw talent walk right out the door. Adam Saad departed arch-rivals Carlton and did so in an abrupt nature which saw a messy divorce. Joe Daniher left 12 months after first requesting a trade and the Bombers were unable to convince the tall-forward to stay. Orazio Fantasia also departed and when Conor McKenna announced he was heading back to Ireland, the Bombers' dashing run off half back was a thing of the past. Jye Caldwell was a good get from the Giants but Peter Wright and Nick Hind aren't exactly recruits that will lead Essendon to their first finals win in over 6000 days. [caption id="attachment_55396" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 29: Jye Caldwell of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the 2020 AFL Marsh Community Series match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at Blacktown International Sportspark on February 29, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Securing three top 10 picks in the draft was a good move but signs the club may need to go back to go forward. Defining Period The fate of the Essendon season will likely be decided by the bye, as rounds 6-10 loom as a massive factor for the 16-time premiers. They face sides that will likely surround them on the ladder and it kicks-off with two big games against rivals Collingwood and Carlton. [caption id="attachment_7382" align="alignnone" width="696"] Martin Gleeson of the Bombers is tackled during the round 23 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 27, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] They then have to travel to GIANTS Stadium in a tricky clash before they return to host Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, where the Dockers very nearly knocked off the Bombers on the same ground last year. The Bombers could see their season set up for big things or fall to tatters in this crucial run of games. Best 22 B: Mason Redman, Cale Hooker, Patrick Ambrose HB: Jordan Ridley, Michael Hurley, Aaron Francis C: Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Andrew McGrath HF: Jake Stringer, Peter Wright, Archie Perkins F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, James Stewart, Darcy Parish FOLL: Sam Draper, Devon Smith, Dylan Shiel I/C: Nik Cox, Kyle Langford, Jye Caldwell, David Zaharakis [caption id="attachment_34430" align="alignnone" width="696"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Cale Hooker (right) and Dylan Shiel of the Bombers look dejected after a loss during the 2019 AFL First Elimination Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on September 05, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Strengths and Weaknesses The Bombers obvious strength is their midfield group as they bat quite deep in the engine room with likes of Dylan Shiel, Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath running through the guts. Supported by Dyson Heppell, Devon Smith, Darcy Parish, Kyle Langford and some cameos from the forward group they have the ability to win the ball. [caption id="attachment_62633" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Andrew McGrath of the Bombers handballs during the round nine AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on July 31, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Their weakness stands in the key positions as they don't have a clear path to goal nor a key target to use when they are in trouble. Their defence is coming along but is clearly a point of worry with Hooker and Hurley not getting any younger. Sam Draper is a promising type in the ruck but is still developing and exactly what level he will reach remains quite unknown. Prediction 15th It will be a tough year for the Dons. Finals would be a massive plus but the realistic aim for the club would be to find a settled game plan and style, they need to figure out what their identity is now that they have lost Saad, Daniher and McKenna. Get games into the likes of Perkins, Cox and Reid and get them playing a way that allows them a top focus on development and not the uncertainty of what comes next in an ever-changing game plan. [caption id="attachment_42299" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Dylan Shiel of the Bombers (L) and Devon Smith of the Bombers look dejected after the round 4 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption]

Season Preview: Essendon

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