Essendon 2022 preview: Season predictions for the Bombers

Essendon is out to improve on their eighth-placed finish and a young gun will be crucial to their hopes of ascending further. Full analysis of Essendon’s 2022 prospects.

Will Hogan

3 min read

January 10, 2022 - 3:22PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Essendon

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The Bombers with Ben Rutten in the drivers seat for the first time exceeded all external expectations with a surprise top eight finish losing to eventual runners-up, the Western Bulldogs in a soggy elimination final down in Tasmania.

They still have haunting recent finals record and a Twitter account serving them constant reminders that they haven’t won a post-season match since 2004 but, with a young list and improving gamestyle, Rutten and co are on the up.

Will Hogan looks at the Bombers’ 2022 prospects.

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Reinvented half back Dyson Heppell will lead the bombers again in 2022. Picture: Michael Klein

COACH: Ben Rutten

CAPTAIN: Dyson Heppell

WHERE DO THEY FINISH IN 2022?

Essendon is one of the hardest teams to predict. Are the Bombers heading on a continual upwards trajectory or will it take another season to reach the top four? They have fixed depth issues surrounding their midfield through the rise of Darcy Parish and acquisition of Jye Caldwell — who we’re yet to see reach full throttle but there are still questions marks on just when the list can fire as a whole. Their forward line was heavily reliant on the magic of Jake Stringer and the promising but young Harrison Jones is still a few seasons away from being a heavyweight forward of the competition. While their backline has been bolstered with the signing of former Crow Jake Kelly but it would be further strengthened if Michael Hurley can recover from serious hip surgery. The Bombers are on the rise but with a few sides who finished below this year expected to bounce back, they could be set for another fight on their hands for a top eight.

BIGGEST IMPROVER

He was mentioned above but Harrison Jones looms as the key figure in the Bombers ascension up the ladder. Late in the year Rutten moved away from relying on veteran Cale Hooker — who is now retired — and challenged Jones in tandem with the towering Peter Wright to be tall targets up forward. At just 20, some would argue there is too much reliance on a developing key forward but the positives are that he’s already showing signs he can be what the Bombers desire.

Harrison Jones’ improvement will be a key for the Bombers’ improvement. Picture: Michael Klein

X-FACTOR

Off the back arguably his best season Jake Stringer has found perfect balance between impact and consistency in his new-look role. The centre-bounce specialist who then moseys on into the forward line produced regular matchwinning moments in the back half of the season and earned a healthy new contract. There’s all the talk about providing incentives to motivate but the fact is Stringer is as competitive as they come and a higher finish up the ladder will be enough of a carrot for the one they call ‘the package’.

What’s Jake Stringer’s next trick? Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

COACH STATUS

Ben Rutten is as safe a coach can be at the moment after making finals in the first year of a three-year deal. The succession-plan between John Worsfold has so far paid off from a transition point of view with a top eight finish exceeding external expectations. The pressure will always be there for the former Adelaide defender given he’s at the helm of such a large and passionate club but for now he has time and a developing list on his side.

Ben Rutten is safe as houses … for now. Picture: Michael Klein

WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT

Dyson Heppell, Andrew McGrath, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Kyle Langford, Michael Hurley, Nik Cox, Archie Perkins, Zach Reid, Aaron Francis, Tom Cutler, Jayden Laverde, James Stewart, Josh Eyre, Brayden Ham, Andrew Phillips, Matt Guelfi, Cody Brand, Kaine Baldwin, Cian McBride, Sam Durham, Alec Waterman, Tom Hird

Zach Merrett was rejuvenated in 2022. Picture: Michael Klein

INS FOR 2022

Jake Kelly (free agent – Adelaide), Ben Hobbs (pick 13), Alastair Lord (46), Garrett McDonagh (50), Patrick Voss (rookie)

OUTS FROM 2021

Patrick Ambrose (retired), Ned Cahill (delisted), Dylan Clarke (delisted), Martin Gleeson (delisted), Cale Hooker (retired), Lachie Johnson (delisted), Ross McQuillan (retired), Irving Mosquito (retired), David Zaharakis (delisted)