Their percentage of 69.5 is their third worst. The other two? Their infamous 2016 campaign when 34 players were suspended for the drugs scandal, and way back in the war era of 1918 when the club returned after two years out.
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They signed off a forgettable year by handing Gold Coast their biggest ever win – the 95-point margin eclipsing the Suns’ previous best of 87 – to seal a second bottom-four finish in four years. For the Dons, it was their fourth loss by more than 90 points this year.
Already, there will be Bombers diehards putting together a best 23 for next year. Players such as Jye Caldwell, Nate Caddy, Zach Reid, Jordan Ridley, Ben McKay and Darcy Parish will strengthen them, but they would need to find at least seven more wins just to contend for finals.
The Bombers, who have announced they will not renew the contract of high-performance boss Sean Murphy, will extensively analyse the reasons behind their injury crisis.
If injuries mount again next year, and befall the same names, the problem may lie with the players instead of the program.
In some ways, this was the season the Bombers should have had two years ago. They have lost playing youth as opposed to 2023-24 when, during the last years of list boss Adrian Dodoro’s time, they failed with experience and bolstered their list with free agents McKay and Jade Gresham – a move clubs make when they believe they are ready to contend.
Todd Goldstein suffered a brutal hit to the head.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
As it stands, the Dons have picks four, five, 22 and 25. If Sam Draper leaves, they could land another first-round pick, albeit in a draft that many experts believe to be shallow. It will be their strongest draft hand since 2020.
They cannot afford another repeat of that COVID-affected draft when they had three picks in the top 10, the best of whom has turned out to be the highly talented by injury-prone Reid, who has played 44 of a possible 113 games.
Of the 15 debutants, Isaac Kako and Angus Clarke look long-term prospects but, as respected analyst David King said on Wednesday night, “how many of the 15 are going to be here in 18 months’ time having an impact?”
As it was at the start of the year, Essendon’s best player remains Zach Merrett, and by a considerable margin. He is their only A-grader. Nic Martin could get there, but it won’t be until 2027 at the earliest due to an ACL injury.
Zach Merrett remains Essendon’s best player by a considerable margin.Credit: AFL Photos
Bombers fans will point to youngsters Archie Roberts, Nate Caddy and Kako as a nod to the future but the lack of top-end talent between Merrett, 29, and their under-21s means there will be several years of pain to come.
Their opponents, the Suns, should provide a ray of hope. It was not that long ago the Suns were on the other end of such drubbings.
On this landmark night, the talent gathered and developed through years of suffering turned it on.
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Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson battered the Bombers at the contest then left their opponents in their wake once the ball was on the outside. Ben King feasted on the undersized Jayden Laverde, booting seven goals.
All were drafted when the Suns plunged even lower depths than the Dons, but it has taken the best part of six years to get to where they are now. That’s the kind of wait the Bombers face.
