Dons Talk

Dons Talk | Avid Sam Durham Enjoyer | Love stat deep dives on players

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Sully Robey:

Most Contested Possessions (13) in a game by an Essendon rookie since Darcy Parish in round 18, 2016

Most Clearances (9) by a rookie in the AFL since Harley Reid in round 20, 2024 (10)

Essendon haven’t had a kid like this in a long time

#essendon

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@DonCaldwelll Fair point with the lack of upfield pressure, teams are getting clean entries consistently, but it just seems that he’s a tick too slow in reacting against leads and struggles to make a contest. Key defenders take a while to kick on as well but he’s already 27

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

If Solly is serious about playing McKay forward, Gerreyn or Hayes has to come in for Blakiston. No longer offers the relief as a second ruck and he’s so far off it as a defender. I’ll cut him a bit of slack as he’s taking the number one forward most weeks

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@Liam2799 Yea it’s a tough one to judge. Kerry defenders take so long to develop but at the same time he’s already 26 I believe. It’s just hard to invest in him at this point

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Lewis Hayes’ VFL return:

15 disposals @ 80% DE
3 marks
7 Intercept Possessions (Game leader)
4 Rebound 50’s

Pulled @ 3QT

Very good return game for Hayesy. One more week imo and he’ll be cherry ripe for AFL selection 🤞

#essendon

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Concerning stats that need to be addressed under Essendons new regime

18th in points conceded from the defensive half (47.0)
18th in Opposition Kick Efficiency (71.6%) **Would be highest Oppo KE since tracked if it holds
18th in Opposition marks per game (118.9)

#essendon

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@terrypunter5 More and more talent is being found through these pathways, you never know

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Welcome to Essendon Jaxon Artemis

19 years old, 183cm

19.2 disposals per game
12.7 kicks
3.8 marks
3 tackles

27 disposals and a goal in his last game, stoked to have him on board, hopefully provides some dash off half back and fits our age profile. Super get

#essendon

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Also worth noting that our 2025 first rounders (Robey, Sharp, Farrow) all expire after the 2028 season as well, but Caddy is by far the biggest threat of leaving at the moment

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Next head coach is going to be a massive appointment, simply has to be the guy we believe will win us our next final. Caddy’s contract expire after the 2028 season. That essentially gives the next coach one season to convince him to stay, otherwise the heat will be on in 2028.

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@LPconlan @ScooterMcNeice Good chance a lot of them will. New coaches typically bring in their own guys

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@Farmblaster I think he may have a higher ceiling than duursma, but our biases may definitely play a factor in our thoughts. 2 different players as well

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Rookies from the 2025 Draft that have had 3 straight 20+ disposal games:

Willem Duursma (rounds 5-7)
Sullivan Robey (rounds 9-11)

Superstar(s) in the making
#essendon

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Personally don’t know if I love the decision to move on from Scott. No one’s turning this team around within the next 18 months and we’ve needed a rebuild for a while. However, if there were to be a positive, I’m not sure the coaching market gets a whole lot better than it is now

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@spikewoofwoof @RalphyHeraldSun I’d argue it’s more important that Zak gets games. Just resigned and has played 14 games through 1 and a half seasons, we need to get games into him to develop him rather than shutting him down, it’s not like he’s a finished product

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@T31925156 @FlightPlanPod Probably an unpopular opinion but I’m with you on this. If it doesn’t go to a Caddy or Robert’s due to their age, I’d rather pick parish over langers or Redman, for all the flack he gets atleast his play has been good the last few weeks

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@FlightPlanPod My pick would be Caddy. I think he’s so no nonsense and competitive that he would make for a good leader, especially loved the clip of him giving back to the flog supporters on Friday, clearly cares about the group. Realistically it probably will go to Redman I’d imagine

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

@SilentGhost263 @Rightfootnana I’m unfamiliar with Griffin outside of a few clips, is he more of a forward or winger?

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Not his best game, few fumbles, but mopped up some teammates mistakes and imo lead by example on field. Also any supporters who chose to throw their scarfs at the players walking down the tunnel can fuck themselves. Fakest fans in the game, wouldn’t of been at the G last week

[Dons Talk @DonsTragic]

Credit to Darcy Parish on Friday Night

First 40+ disposal game since 2023

His most efficient 40+ disposal game (80.5% DE, previous best was 75%) + most efficient 40+ disposal game since round 3, 2025 (Jack Sinclair)

#essendon