Essendon list analysis: Sam Landsberger predicts best 23

Ben Hobbs in the twos? Goldstein over Draper? The new-found depth at Essendon is going to make for some difficult discussions – but it’s a good thing for Bombers fans.

Essendon list analysis AFL

Essendon’s list composition has strategically transformed to boost both the club’s top-end quality and its depth in one hit.

The Bombers were the kings of free agency as they signed North Melbourne pillars Ben McKay and Todd Goldstein as well as St Kilda link man Jade Gresham last October.

Port Adelaide winger Xavier Duursma was also traded in as part of the deal for defected defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

Two of the club’s super signings have effectively replaced rookies.

In 2022-23 the Bombers had 36 players on their primary list and six players on their rookie list.

In 2024 they have expanded to a full primary list of 38 players and trimmed their rookie list to four.

Think of it like this — McKay and Gresham have come in for, say, delisted rookies Rhett Montgomerie and Patrick Voss.

New recruit Ben McKay. Picture: Brendan Beckett

The strategy allowed the Bombers to save some cap space and go to the market.

It placed the list under stress when injuries hit last year, but has players on edge this pre-season.

The water level is rising at Tullamarine in a healthy way.

As summer standout Harry Jones told a club video last week: “It’ll be interesting to see — it’s tough for spots out there, so it’s exciting”.

Imagine how the likes of Dylan Shiel, Sam Weideman, Jake Kelly, Nick Bryan, Kaine Baldwin, Jye Menzie or even the Davey twins (Alwyn Jr and Jayden) are feeling?

Some of those boys were staples last year.

Others are on the brink of breaking through. But it won’t be easy.

When the Bombers hit pause on pre-season for the Christmas break, I was asked to predict the club’s best team as part of their season preview.

The feedback from fans was certainly emotional.

Much of it centred on the omissions of two players — Sam Draper and Ben Hobbs.

Leaving out Draper was through a round 1 lens.

It couldn’t have been an oversight, given he is seen most days on a TV commercial promoting a beer.

But Draper saw multiple specialists last year before undergoing invasive groin surgery, similar to what Joe Daniher once had.

Goldstein has led the ruck all pre-season and knows coach Brad Scott’s game plan.

He changed clubs to play AFL — not VFL — and the Bombers do not want Draper coming in and out of the team through injury.

Sam Draper is in doubt for Round 1. Picture: Brendan Beckett

So with Goldstein fit and firing there should be no rush or risks taken with Draper.

As for Hobbs, it would be hard to find a fan without him in their best team.

He has a mature body and found his voice in a second season that produced 18 games.

It’s understood Hobbs is so dedicated that last year he sourced vision of star teammates Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett.

Hobbs would pause the footage before they made a decision with ball in hand and guessed what he thought they should do. Then, he hit play to see if he had made the right call.

He is a midfielder with a mega upside.

But with Sam Durham set for midfield minutes, who does Hobbs squeeze out?

The common answer was Will Setterfield, but at 192cm he offers a point of difference and he looked important in the first half of last season before breaking his foot.

If Durham pushes forward with Gresham and Parish comes on to play onball, then Merrett can spit forward.

Jade Gresham in pre-season. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Plus, you’ve got Archie Perkins who can also go forward.

It was just one person’s opinion and these things often have a way of solving themselves — whether it be through injury or unavailability.

But the consensus shared by plenty in the football industry is if Essendon stays healthy then match committee is going to be almost as difficult as playing the club’s VFL team.

There are going to be plenty of good players unable to break into this team and that can only be a good thing.

I thought the unluckiest players to miss out on that team were Hobbs, Baldwin and Nick Hind.

Hind’s speed has been crucial and when Essendon plays well he is usually important, but when form dips he is often the first to pay the price.

Baldwin is a damn good player and will be used in defence at stages.

Draftee Nate Caddy has amazed his teammates and he is every chance to make his debut early in the season as the extroverted goalkicker they craved.

Jake Stringer in a contract season is a scary proposition.

He proved that in 2021 when he put the Bombers on his back and drove them into the finals.

Jayden Davey has had 18 months to recover from an ACL and, late last year, a calf setback. He is by far the more talented of the twins and should be pushing hard to play senior footy this year.

Be warned. In 2024 the Bombers will bat deep.