David King analyses Essendon ahead of the 2019 AFL season
Essendon put the competition on notice with 10 wins from its last 14 matches. Is it the start of something big? Ahead of the release of the Footy19 magazine, David King reveals why, in 2019, he’s onboard the Bombers — again.
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Which Essendon do you believe? The dysfunctional Bombers who won two of their first eight games, or the total team-first Essendon that won 10 of its last 14?
John Worsfold came under fire early last season as the Bombers were poor defensively, appeared too tall up forward and seemed on a tactical tangent to the rest of the competition, but all kudos must go to the coach and captain Dyson Heppell for reversing 2018’s plight.
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Heppell challenged the players to lift after the Round 8 loss to Carlton and they responded.
The Bombers post-Round 9 were the most prolific tackling team, particularly in the forward half.
JOHN WORSFOLD: I’M DRIVEN TO DELIVER A FLAG
This allowed the luxury of field position and time for their defence to set up to intercept the opposition’s ball movement with greater regularity.
The most significant Essendon signing is assistant coach Ben Rutten. He has implemented a spatial defensive program similar to that used in his time at Richmond.
If his plan is effective, expect Michael Hurley to return to his All-Australian form of 2015 and 2017. Hurley is an elite interceptor and a far more competent space defender, a better fit than being trapped in one-on-one contests.
In 2018 Cale Hooker started as a forward for the first five weeks, but returned to his defensive post with great results.
This backline could be as good as any. Hurley, Hooker, Aaron Francis and Martin Gleeson intercepting/negating while Adam Saad and Conor McKenna initiate the corridor counter-attack. And don’t forget Patrick Ambrose.
The arrival of Dylan Shiel takes some weight off Heppell and Devon Smith, and should impact the frequency with which Zach Merrett is tagged in 2019.
Shiel’s class and professionalism are evident, but only nine of his 26 disposals average were contested and he’s not a noted goalkicker. The pressure to deliver is immediate.
Smith was the AFL’s best value trade of 2017, winning last year’s Crichton Medal.
Worsfold must trust Andrew McGrath to play more than last season’s 55 per cent of game time in the midfield, where he averaged 20 disposals in only his second season.
Is Darcy Parish Essendon’s tagging option? The Bombers don’t tag, but Mark Hutchings’ negating role on Steele Sidebottom in the Grand Final was critical. Sidebottom had a combined 53 disposals and five goals against the Bombers last year.
Kyle Langford is building towards being a damaging midfielder/half-forward, with his ball use entering the forward 50 separating him from the pack.
The creativity of the forward half is in the hands of the strength and conditioning department and its management of Orazio Fantasia and Joe Daniher. Fantasia has played 60 of 112 games and the handling of Daniher’s injuries was not ideal.
Daniher must not be rushed back. There is enough talent to carry the load until he is right.
Fantasia has been good for two goals a game and he’s a match-up nightmare. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s improvement and Jake Stringer’s 30-goal return bring potency.
Arm doors and crosscheck, I’m on the Bombers flight for finals glory.
LAUREN WOOD’S SNAP CHAT WITH MATT GUELFI
LW: What’s the one AFL rule you would change?
MG: Third man up.
What’s your go-to meal when the club dietitians aren’t looking?
Josh Begley’s Tim Tams.
Who is your club’s best Fortnite player?
Mark Harvey.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Breaking Free — High School Musical.
Who’s your Grand Final entertainment pick?
Justin Bieber.
If I wasn’t a footballer I would be …
An electrician.
Worst dancer at the club?
Sam Draper.
Most hated chore?
Making tea for the boys.
CHRIS CAVANAGH’S YOUNG GUN — AARON FRANCIS
The Bombers would be thanking their lucky stars Francis stayed after unsuccessfully requesting a trade home to South Australia in 2017, as he proved a revelation late last season. A Rising Star nominee, he played the final five games of the year, averaging 13.2 disposals and 6.4 marks across halfback. Will be fascinating to see what he can do in 2019.
SUPERCOACH AFL WITH GILBERT GARDINER
1 Dylan Shiel — $487,000 MID
Put a line through last season. Shiel’s output mirrored the Giants’ lacklustre campaign, marred by a slow start. The explosive midfielder is perfect for the Bombers’ high octane style.
2 Jake Stringer — $383,800 FWD
Once bitten twice shy? Absolutely not. If the Bombers are going to be up and about this season then so will Stringer, a genuine matchwinner who finished last year off nicely. Take on trust.
3 Irving Mosquito — $117,300 MID-fwd
A work in progress, but suspect Essendon’s new cult hero will be one of the most popular players in SuperCoach even if he doesn’t play in Round 1. Keep tabs on his progress, he could be special.
• Footy19 is available from March 2 while stocks last at participating newsagents and IGA and Woolworths stores in Victoria/Riverina. Cost is $4.95 plus purchase price of that day’s Herald Sun.
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