Essendon’s five biggest selection dilemmas: How to fit Zach Reid in, what happens with Dylan Shiel?

Jayden Laverde was one of the Bombers’ best during Dreamtime despite a common belief he’s only keeping Zach Reid’s seat warm. JON RALPH looks at five big selection dilemmas facing Essendon across the rest of the season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. March 16, 2024. AFLÉ Round 1. Essendon vs. Hawthorn at the MCG. Zach Reid of the Bombers during the 1st qtr. . Pic: Michael Klein

Jayden Laverde spent Dreamtime at the ‘G in football’s version of Siberia and lived to tell the tale.

The Essendon defender was handed the impossible task of negating Dustin Martin with the pair isolated one-on-one inside the 50m arc.

Not only did he live to tell the tale, he thrived.

Martin turned back the clock with three goals but Laverde consistently won enough of those deep marking contests with the triple Norm Smith Medallist unable to shift him away from the drop zone.

By game’s end Essendon had the victory, Martin his cameos and Laverde his coach’s thanks for a 13-intercept, 21 possession performance.

Jayden Laverde spoils a mark by Dustin Martin during Dreamtime on Saturday night. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

So as Essendon considers where and when to bring Great White Hope Zach Reid into this side, they have a problem.

They can’t find a spot for him.

And if they do eventually find room it won’t be Laverde making way given his knack of shutting down opponents tall and small.

The Dons take a seven match streak with six wins and a draw into their encounter against a Gold Coast side which hasn’t lost at People First Stadium.

Brad Scott’s toughest challenge this week is finding room for Harrison Jones despite Nate Caddy’s bright debut.

So what are the selection dilemmas at Essendon which prove this side finally has the depth Scott has been seeking?

1. ZACH REID

Reid was so impressive in a pre-season contest against St Kilda that Dons fans were licking their chops about the Ben McKay-Reid defensive duo.

Then he strained his hamstring in round 1 before returning three weeks ago in the VFL.

Ideally Essendon would get 30 senior games into the full back as quickly as possible but he had only 10 possessions and four marks in the VFL on Saturday.

Zach Reid has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since Round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon can play Ben McKay on Ben King and mix and match with Jack Lukosius and Jed Walter (if he plays after being subbed with one touch after 42 minutes of game time).

The backline feels rock solid with McKay at full back, Jordan Ridley on another tall, Laverde on the medium-sizers, Mason Redman providing rebound and Andy McGrath playing on the smalls.

But the Dons do play Carlton in two weeks. Is that the kind of game they would need Reid for? It seems ideal.

2 TODD GOLDSTEIN

Goldstein looked tired as he was beaten by Toby Nankervis, even if his 30m bullet to Kyle Langford inside 50 showed what he is capable of.

Essendon lost the clearances by 10 and centre square clearances 12-9.

Time for a rest for Goldy?

Does ruckman Todd Goldstein need a rest at some point during the season? Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Nick Bryan was as dominant as any ruck can be in the VFL against Richmond – 171 ranking points, 23 contested possessions, 16 contested possessions, 46 hitouts, 21 to advantage, 10 clearances.

Last week he finished with 15 clearances.

So with Nik Cox battling hamstring soreness, could the Dons play Bryan instead of Goldstein or both players under a twin ruck set-up.

If he isn’t selected this week he might never be at Essendon as rivals circle.

3. HARRISON JONES

Jones was suspended last week and although Brad Scott said the club had no hope of overturning his ban, at least 10 players last year had suspensions overturned.

The Dons should have rolled the dice.

Regardless, No. 10 draft pick Nate Caddy looked the part with 10 touches, hitting the post with his first kick and showing strong aerial presence.

How do the Dons fit Harrison Jones back in the side? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Jones probably replaces him but in his last game against the Roos he had only five possessions.

In his last three AFL games he has only one goal and 18 total touches.

Jones has been impressive this year but his recent form hasn’t been strong enough for Scott to discount retaining Caddy.

4. DYLAN SHIEL

With Will Setterfield (knee) and Darcy Parish (calf) both out for at least the next two weeks and Ben Hobbs having suffered a calf injury, Shiel would have hoped to be well entrenched in the senior team.

But after being the sub last week he was sick on Saturday so didn’t play VFL against Richmond.

He was an emergency this week and with the midfield humming in previous weeks was surplus to requirements.

Where does Dylan Shiel fit in Brad Scott’s plan for 2024 and beyond? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

But only a year ago at this point in the season he was a top 10 ranked player by Champion Data.

How does Scott balance the need to give Elijah Tsatas and Archie Perkins centre square chances as part of the future against Shiel’s line-breaking when at his very best.

He does have the breakaway speed few other Dons mids possess but should he have forced a trade to St Kilda last year when it was on offer?

5. ALWYN DAVEY JR VS. JYE MENZIE

Menzie kicked 23.11 last season but in five games this year only kicked a single goal for 1.3 and an average of six possessions. Davey hasn’t exactly set the world on fire – eight possessions (with four turnovers) and a goal against Richmond. But he is just doing enough to keep his spot despite only one tackle in the Dreamtime clash.

Is Alwyn Davey Jnr Essendon’s long-term small forward? Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Menzie kicked 2.0 from nine VFL touches but has only three goals in three total VFL games.

Players like Jake Stringer and Matt Guelfi are providing excellent forward 50 pressure but there is a spot for a genuine tackling small forward as the season progresses.

Hopefully Davey, still only 20, can be that player.

Originally published as Essendon’s five biggest selection dilemmas: How to fit Zach Reid in, what happens with Dylan Shiel?