Gary Buckenara analyses Essendon’s list after the 2018 season

DYLAN Shiel is on the way but there are plenty of other areas the Bombers can improve in 2019. List guru Gary Buckenara looks at the current squad and puts the heat on the players who must step up next season.

Gary Buckenara analyses Essendon's list.

WAS 2018 a wasted season for Essendon?

It’s hard to argue against that question after the Bombers were touted as a top-four hope and premiership contender following their recruiting spree at the end of last year.

The expectation was the addition of Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad would propel Essendon up the ladder but a really poor first half of the season proved costly.

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Winning just two games from their first eight ultimately cost the club a finals berth and that unexpected start was made even more puzzling given the talent on the list.

I believe Essendon has one of the most balanced lists in the competition, with a good combination of gun key position players like Michael Hurley, Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker alongside stars like Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Stringer, Smith, David Zaharakis and Orazio Fantasia.

Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell form part of Essendon’s balanced list. Picture: Getty Images

The Bombers also have a good mix of younger players who have shown they can be good, consistent AFL players like Andy McGrath, Darcy Parish, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Conor McKenna. I was also impressed by Matt Guelfi who did his job every week, Mason Redman and Jordan Ridley showed good signs and Kyle Langford took big strides in his development.

Aaron Francis, a former No.6 draft pick, also finally showed why he was such a high selection in the back end of the year as an intercept-marking defender for the future. It appears the penny has finally dropped for him — he’s got himself really fit and finally looks like an AFL player.

The nucleus of a really good team, a team capable of challenging for a premiership is there, which is what makes Essendon’s poor start even more disappointing.

I believe the Bombers struggled to cover injuries to key players, which can be a sign of a lack of depth. Fantasia missed a lot of footy and when he wasn’t there the forward line lacked x-factor and that dynamic player who can make things happen, while Daniher was obviously a huge loss.

What I did admire about the Bombers this year was the fact coach John Worsfold and his players were able to turn their season around in the second half of the year and played with great passion and desire for each other, which is a sign of a united group.

The challenge for Essendon is to develop a really strong group of leaders and experienced players who drive the standards from day one, so there isn’t that inconsistency we saw early in the year.

Essendon got its man in Dylan Shiel at the last minute in the trade period, with the club giving up two first-round picks (pick No.9 and next year’s first-round selection), while getting a second-round pick back from the Giants as well as Shiel. The club simply had to get the deal done — it would have been a bad look if Shiel had to go back to GWS. He’s a grunt inside player who can also break the lines on the outside, so he’s a great fit for the Essendon midfield. He’s definitely the type of player they need because he’s not just an outside ball winner, he also ranked equal fourth at the Giants this year for contested possessions (9.3 average) and was ranked equal first in that area in 2017. He also has that burst away speed from packs, which the Bombers lack and was ranked No.1 at GWS for inside 50s. But, does need to tidy up his disposal as he can waste it at times.

Dylan Shiel is hoping to get to Essendon. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Travis Colyer has left for Fremantle and I think that’s a loss. Essendon look really dangerous when Colyer is up and going because he provides real speed with his run and carry and gives their side a different look. Despite that, the addition of Shiel means Essendon’s 2019 list will be better than the 2018 version.

ESSENDON’S LIST NEEDS

The Bombers are lacking a tall big-bodied clearance beast who can do a lot of the heavy lifting inside and feed the ball out to the likes of Merrett, Heppell and David Myers who can use his long and penetrating kicking. Shiel will help in this area but they do need another specialist player like this.

While they do have a good group of midfielders with those three plus Zaharakis, Parish and Langford with Kobe Mutch, Dylan Clarke and Trent Mynott developing, the Bombers need a wider squad of ball-getters to choose from with class and size around the contest. That’s why Shiel is such an ideal get for the Bombers.

PLAYERS WHO NEED TO STEP UP IN 2019

Jayden Laverde is a player I really like but he’s just had rotten luck with injuries. If he can get his body right and put in a big summer on the training track, I believe he can become that big-bodied midfielder Essendon need. He’s definitely got the talent to be a really solid AFL player.

What does 2019 have instore for Jayden Laverde? Picture: Nicole Garmston

Despite Francis’ rapid improvement in the second half of the season, the job isn’t done. He needs to take the form he showed at AFL level late and use that as motivation to hit the ground running from Round 1 next year and cement his spot in Essendon’s best 22. He has so much potential and it’s time he finally turns that into consistent form at the top level and show everyone why he was such a high draft pick. It’s time for him to fully commit to grabbing the opportunity he’s been given and become the best AFL player he can be.

Where does James Stewart fit in Essendon’s plans? He was the preferred second tall early in the season before struggling for form and was eventually overtaken by Mitch Brown in Worsfold’s best 22. His career at GWS followed a similar path, so what can he do to avoid history repeating? His athleticism as a forward is suited to the modern game.

CRYSTAL BALL

Despite the Bombers failing to play finals in 2018, I still believe this list is capable of big things. I believe Essendon is a massive contender for season 2019 and will push hard for a top-four finish and tilt at the premiership.

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Originally published as Gary Buckenara analyses Essendon’s list after the 2018 season