From Joe Daniher to Andrew McGrath, eight reasons why Essendon fans should be excited for 2020
Joe Daniher wanted out but Essendon held him to his contract. It’s a bold call that can help the Bombers finally realise their potential in 2020 if they can get their key forward fit.
Essendon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Essendon. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The finals drought will stretch into 2020, but there’s reason for optimism if you’re an Essendon fan.
The Bombers held firm on Joe Daniher’s trade request to Sydney and Orazio Fantasia stayed put at Tullamarine after being linked with a return to South Australia.
If John Worsfold and coach-in-waiting Ben Rutten can get the best out of that oft-injured pair and Dyson Heppell overcomes his foot issues, Essendon will have few excuses if it fails to build on an elimination final appearance.
These are the eight reasons Bombers supporters should be excited about next year.
1. TIME IS NOW
In 2018, leading football commentator David King coined the phrase ‘The Tullamarine Globetrotters’ when referencing Essendon and its premiership chances on the back of being one of the most damaging offensive teams in the competition. King was not the only expert to tip the Bombers to win the flag that year. But since then, Essendon has done little to live up to the hype. The Bombers missed finals in 2018 and finished eighth last season before producing a lacklustre elimination final performance against West Coast and suffering a 55-point humbling. The club simply can’t afford another mediocre mid-table finish. With the sixth-oldest list in the competition, the time to strike is now.
2. DANIHER RETURN
Essendon stood its ground and knocked back Joe Daniher’s bid to join Sydney during the trade period and the Bombers will be hoping the move pays off. A rare talent, Daniher kicked 65 goals in 2017 but has played only 11 of a possible 45 games since due to persistent groin problems. Daniher spoke in November about making the trade request because he wanted a “fresh start” to turn things around with his groin, but the Bombers are confident they can get the injury right and their key forward says he is fully “committed” to the club once again. Former Essendon and St Kilda champion Brendon Goddard believes Daniher is more than capable of kicking “50 to 60 goals next season” if fully fit, which would be a big boost for the Bombers’ prospects.
MORE AFL NEWS:
Brendon Goddard rates Collingwood’s list as the AFL’s best, ahead of reigning premier Richmond
AFL SuperCoach 2020 prices revealed: Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn most-expensive players
Rookie Bible review: The best SuperCoach AFL cheapies of 2019
Shane Crawford confirmed to coach Ardmona Cats following successful appeal
Richmond defender Alex Rance announces shock AFL retirement
3. MORE FANTASIA
He might wear No. 13 on his back, but there is nothing unlucky about Orazio Fantasia. In fact, the forward has proven a good-luck charm for the Bombers in recent years and has often been a team barometer and matchwinner. The problem is that injuries have restricted Fantasia to just 28 of a possible 45 games over the past two years including 15 last season. During that period, Fantasia has ranked second at Essendon for average goals (1.4 a game), equal-fourth for score involvements (5.7 a game) and has averaged 70 SuperCoach ranking points. In his last full season in 2017, Fantasia kicked 39 goals from 20 games. Like Daniher, if he can rediscover that form and fitness it will go a long way to the side climbing the ladder.
4. MORE HEPPELL
Captain Dyson Heppell recorded his fewest Brownlow Medal votes since 2012 last season after a tough year. While the midfielder still bravely managed to play 18 games, he was clearly hampered in some of them by a foot injury which limited his output. Heppell played less than 80 per cent game time in five matches, including just 53 per cent in the Bombers’ elimination final loss. While he still averaged a more than respectable 26.3 disposals for the season, the 27-year-old recorded his fewest SuperCoach ranking points (95 a game) since 2013 and his fewest clearances (3.8 a game) since 2012. Given the Bombers aren’t brimming with midfield depth nor leadership, they could hardly afford to be without Heppell on the park and playing at his best. Fingers will be crossed at Tullamarine to see more of the skipper in 2020.
5. SMITH RETURN
Former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Devon Smith was being hailed one of the recruits of the year in 2018 after winning the best-and-fairest in his first season at the Bombers. But a knee injury did not give him the chance to back it up. Smith only played seven games last season, having been unsighted after Round 8. But it’s worth remembering just what a good 2018 campaign he had. He ranked fourth at Essendon for total disposals that year (22 a game), first for tackles (8.5 a game), third for inside-50s (3.1 a game) and fourth for clearances (3.3 a game). To top it off, Smith also kicked 17 goals. That is a pretty handy virtual recruit for the Bombers in 2020.
6. THE FORMER NO. 1
In his third season, 2016 No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath gave a glimpse of what his future holds and it had many Essendon fans salivating. Having spent much of his first two years in defence, McGrath was given greater opportunities up the ground and recorded career-high season averages for disposals (21 a game), metres gained (276 a game), inside-50s (2.3 a game) and clearances (1.6 a game). During brief stints forward, McGrath was also able to impact the scoreboard and he was named in the AFL Players’ Association 22under22 team for a third-straight year. The Bombers expect further improvement from McGrath in 2020 as he continues to build his midfield craft and leadership.
7. COACHING REFRESH
It has been proven time and time again that coaching changes can make a significant difference and Essendon has had two big ones over the off-season. John Worsfold has taken a step back for what will be his final year at Tullamarine and will delegate much of the responsibility around game plan to Ben Rutten, who will officially take the senior coach title in 2021. The Bombers also poached assistant coach Blake Caracella from Richmond, who joined the Tigers in 2017 and was said to be one of the masterminds of their breakthrough premiership that year due to being in charge of the team’s ball movement. Caracella also played a key role in Geelong’s 2011 premiership success. Can success follow him to Essendon?
8. THE RECRUITS
Essendon did not have a lot to work with during the trade and draft period, having traded its first-round pick to GWS as part of the deal to secure Dylan Shiel at the end of 2018. However, the Bombers did add a couple of handy players to their list. Former Brisbane wingman Tom Cutler was secured during the trade period, the Bombers liking the run and speed the 24-year-old can provide on the outside of the contest. Harrison Jones was the club’s first draft pick at No. 30 and is an exciting 194cm tall forward likened to former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt.
CHAMPION DATA SAYS
So much reliance will land on the Bombers defensive unit heading into 2020. Their defence is rated as the sixth best in the competition, they also have the sixth oldest defensive group. Conor McKenna is rated elite in his position while Aaron Francis and Adam Saad are rated above average.
HOW YOUR CLUB IS TRACKING
2015: 15th — 6W, 16L
2016: 18th — 3W, 19L
2017: 7th — 12W, 10L, EF
2018: 11th — 12W, 10L
2019: 8th — 12W, 10L, EF
TAB ODDS
Premiership: $29
Top 8: $2.50
Top 4: $7