In one of the most controversial and tragic seasons in the game’s history, Essendon, James Hird and the ongoing supplements saga has continued to dominate newspaper columns, football programs and talkback radio. The Bombers disappointing season reached another historic moment on Tuesday afternoon with the club and their favourite son parting ways after a tearful, emotive press conference at the True Value Solar Centre. From a purely football viewpoint, 2015 has been catastrophic for the proud club, especially in recent times with Essendon suffering their second three-figure loss in six weeks against Adelaide last Saturday at Docklands. The Bombers have lost ten of their last 11 games and the last five on the trot as rumours of in fighting and dissent has whirled around the football landscape.
 
Former All Australian key defender, Matthew Egan, will take the reigns for the final three games of the season after Hird’s departure. The former Geelong backman is well regarded in coaching circles since making the transition into coaching prematurely due to a career ending injury. Egan suffered a navicular injury in the final round of 2007 and never played again. As his side marched to their breakthrough premiership that September, Egan raced to play a part, but his foot would never allow him to play again. On just 59 games, his career was over just as it was about to bloom. His empathy and ability to communicate with players are regarded as two of his best traits, along with his tactical nous.
 
There might be some question marks on Essendon’s midfield, and with good reason, but the Bombers engine room has no trouble winning the ball. Whilst Jobe Watson hasn’t been around in the second half of the season due to a shoulder injury, Brendon Goddard (averaging 26.8 disposals), Dyson Heppell (25.5 disposals) and Brent Stanton (25.8 disposals) have all still contributed. Essendon is ranked third in the competition for total possessions with an average of 375.5 per game and seventh for disposal differential at + 11.4. Despite Essendon’s ability to win the ball around the ground, they haven’t been able to turn this into scoring opportunities with a lack of symmetry between the midfielders and forwards regularly cited as a major area of concern.
 
Since Paddy Ryder’s departure last year, the Bombers have struggled to replace the ruckman. They went with Tom Bellchambers for the first half of the year before they lost faith and he got injured, and then they went with former Crow Shaun McKernan who provided a contest but didn’t give the midfield first use. Having been recruited as a replacement for Ryder, Jonathan Giles was forced to wait and wait before being given an opportunity. He has played the last three games, but misses the trip north with a knee injury, opening the door for McKernan to return. After 20 rounds, Essendon is ranked 16th for hitouts differential (-12.2) and last in the competition for hitouts to advantage differential (-4.6) and for clearances differential (-5.3).
 
Essendon’s tall forward line does appear extremely dangerous on paper, but they have struggled to deliver sustained performances this year. Their great white hope – Joe Daniher – has showed glimpses of brilliance during a difficult year, although like all young key position prospects, consistency is an issue. His two best hauls this year have been in two wins; he kicked five against Melbourne in round 15 and six against Brisbane in round eight. And whilst he has dropped off in recent times, in line with the side’s fortunes, Daniher still has 34 goals next to his name for 2015. In the second half of the season, with Jake Carlisle struggling to make an impact in attack, Essendon has thrown 2014 All Australian key defender Cale Hooker up forward. The swingman has proven to be very capable up forward with his brilliant marking over head and ability to read the play early making him a difficult match up for the opposition key defenders who are usually accustomed to him being up the other end of the ground. Where Carlisle’s future lies continues to be a subject for widespread gossip, both in terms of what club and what end of the ground. Despite publically declaring he prefers to play at centre half back, Hird played him predominantly in attack this season. It will be intriguing to see where Egan uses him in the final chapter of 2015.

Key Players

All Australian key defender one year, near forward line saviour the next. If Cale Hooker spends an entire season in attack how good can he be inside 50? It will be an interesting proposition for the new Essendon coach to wrestle with and could depend on the whereabouts of Jake Carlisle. But since he moved from defence to attack in round 14, Hooker has kicked 12.15, with inaccuracy in front of goal hurting his transition somewhat, especially given the ease of some of his misses. The things Hooker did so well down back – reading of the play, marking overhead and strength in the contest – have transferred well to the other end of the ground. He picks up the ball well in the air and clunks big marks. All Australian guernseys aren’t handed out, particularly for key position players, so it remains unclear where he plays the next phase of his football. The beauty is, whatever end it is at, he will be a force. One only needs to recall his performance against North Melbourne where he pulled in 13 marks from 16 touches and registered five scoring shots – although four of them were minor. If he gets that part of his game sorted he could become a truly potent forward.
 
The Bombers could have back-to-back All Australian defenders this year given the outstanding season of Michael Hurley. In his most consistent season to date, Hurley has found a permanent home in defence and completed some massive tasks during a difficult year for the Dons. The Bombers concession of 98.5 points per game (ranked 15th) might work against him, but along with Alex Rance and Jeremy McGovern, Hurley has been one of the best key defenders all year. He has produced the strongest numbers of his career with an average of 21.1 possessions per outing and a strong kicking efficiency rate of 73.1 per cent, to go with 7.3 marks, 5.5 rebound 50s and 6.9 intercepts. When Hooker plays down back, the duo form one of the premier defensive pairings in the game. And along with rebounding small defenders Michael Hibberd and Mark Baguley, Essendon can produce a great mix of defence and attack from backwards of centre.
 
There aren’t many more important people at Essendon than Brendon Goddard. The dual All Australian married a team with a closet full of skeletons and has been forced to endure a nightmarish three seasons at his new club with the supplements scandal hovering above the club like a dark cloud. His form this season has been arguably better than his Crichton medal winning 2013 campaign. Goddard is averaging 26.8 possessions at 77 per cent from 19 appearances, 3.5 tackles, 3.3 inside 50s and 3.3 clearances. The former Saint has spent a lot of time through the midfield this season, but also across half forward and half back, plugging holes where necessary. The Bombers have desperately needed leadership this season, and whilst his temperament may appear destructive at times, his genuine care for the players and club is blatantly obvious. If Essendon is going to climb out of the deep, dark pit they find themselves in, Goddard will lead the way.