Predicted teams: Every club’s likely round 1 side
One of North Melbourne’s off-season recruits faces a huge task in his first outing as a Roo after being confirmed to debut against GWS. See every club’s predicted side here.
Essendon
Scott: Bombers owe Heppell for drug saga turmoil
As selection pressure mounts on Essendon veteran Dyson Heppell, coach Brad Scott says the club owes its former captain for the turmoil he faced during its infamous supplements saga.
Bombers back recruits but reject draftee ‘temptation’
Essendon will have a new look against Hawthorn on Saturday with a raft of traded-in players set to make their club debuts.
Legend launches passionate racism defence
The shock of racism allegations against legendary AFL coach Kevin Sheedy has prompted a strong defence from a legend of the game.
‘Haven’t ruled him out’: Parish still a chance for Hawks clash
Darcy Parish is still a chance to line up for the Dons in Round 1 against Hawthorn despite a hamstring issue, with the midfielder coming off a personal-best pre-season.
AWOL players to Arizona: Inside Scott’s Bomber rebuild
In Brad Scott’s first pre-season, multiple players didn’t rock up to the first session of the year. Fast forward 12 months, and the Bombers mentor tells JAY CLARK the club’s culture has done a 180, on and off-field.
Brad Scott’s eight year plan to ‘ditch the rollercoaster’
Matthew Lloyd has feared Dons fans could ‘tear down Windy Hill’ without finals wins soon but coach Brad Scott says he prefers building for long term success over riding the rollercoaster again.
Important Bomber eyes speedy return
Essendon defender Jordan Ridley has moved to allay fears over his latest quad injury which came days after he signed a mega new contract.
‘Deadset rubbish’: Horror sight infuriates AFL
If you hate the snap or checkside set shot in the AFL, it might be a long season if this farcical shot is anything to go by.
Key Don injured as Holmes, Martin dominate in new roles
Geelong has come from behind against Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, but the Dons will be more concerned with the fitness of one of their biggest stars with Round 1 just two weeks away.
Key Bombers still missing in final rehearsal
Essendon’s final practice match selection has all but ruled two stars out of playing in round 1 as a Cats forward misses through injury.
Merrett brushes off fan angst after pre-season horror show
Essendon captain Zach Merrett has played down fan fears after the club’s pre-season capitulation against St Kilda, urging them not to panic.
Will Dons’ prized draft haul finally blossom in 2024?
Essendon’s 2020 draft haul of Cox, Perkins and Reid gave fans plenty to get excited about then, but heading into 2024, where exactly do they stand in the pecking order at the Bombers?
Membrey returns as fresh faces help resurgent Saints smoke Dons
The Saints unleashed some fresh faces in their first hit-out of the season, with new recruits Darcy Wilson and Riley Bonner making a splash. Meanwhile Brad Scott would have been left wondering what his Bombers got out of the thumping.
‘Why we exist as a footy club’: Dons leaders look to break streak
Zach Merrett will lead the Dons again in 2024, with him and partner-in-crime Andy McGrath hoping the club is able to overcome its dreaded finals streak.
Shiel makes late bid for Round 1 berth, Dons star unveils new look
Dylan Shiel has staked his claim for a spot in the Bombers’ Round 1 side after a strong showing on Saturday, while a fan favourite unveiled his new look after chopping his locks for charity.
Bomber’s big call despite unclear return
A senior Essendon midfielder hopes his “mountain of work” on a persistent injury problem can set up a career best year.
Revealed: Crows captain’s pitch which Redman turned down
In a candid chat with JON RALPH, Mason Redman takes you inside his lengthy free agency decision, his chats with Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson and why he said no to the Crows.
Merrett concedes ‘big question’ hovering over Bombers
Skipper Zach Merrett says the gap between Essendon and the AFL’s best sides isn’t as big as the ladder suggests, but has conceded the club’s coaches have a big question to answer.
‘It’s real’: Bombers dealing with bulk contract questions
Essendon captain Zach Merrett says his out-of-contract teammates “wouldn’t be human” if their futures didn’t play on their minds during 2024.
‘Pain free’: Huge news for Bomber cult hero
A one-two ruck punch didn’t work at Melbourne in 2023 but Essendon big man Sam Draper says it will at the Bombers this season as he closes in on a Round 1 return.
Real deal: Teammate hails star Don’s big switch
Brad Scott has thrown one of Essendon’s best players behind the ball as he looks to give the Bombers an added threat coming out of backline — and the move already looks to be paying off.
Dons’ patience with injury-plagued young gun poised to be rewarded
Essendon has received a boost with top-10 draft pick Zach Reid pushing hard for a round 1 berth, while two other stars have revealed when they expect to return from injuries.
Who misses out? The Essendon best 23 squeeze is real
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.
The best and the rest: Bombers who must step up with Merrett
Zach Merrett is a rolled-gold superstar for Essendon, but who else can run with him? JON RALPH and GLENN MCFARLANE run their rule over the Bombers’ list to see who can join him.
No ‘sugar hits’ in fix for woeful Bombers
After two losses by nearly 200 points to close out the AFL season showed how far Essendon is off a premiership the president has vowed change is coming.
Coach ‘shocked’ amid drastic shake-up
The Bombers dropped five of their last seven games to end their campaign on a sour note, and now ‘big changes’ loom.
The farcical period that summed up Bombers season
None of it was pretty, but a few minutes of play – that should have been accompanied by Benny Hill music it was so farcical – summed up the Bombers season
Essendon players erupt inside changerooms
Another underwhelming Bombers season finished in embarrassing fashion and it led to a playing group meeting filled with “raw emotion”.
Scott pledges ‘extraordinary measures’ at Bombers
A shameful fortnight has exposed Essendon’s lack of depth amid injuries to key players and coach Brad Scott has pledged to wield the axe.
‘Pitiful’ Bombers’ ‘astonishing’ drop exposed
Nathan Buckley, Garry Lyon and Johnathan Brown tore strips off the Bombers after their season finished with a whimper against Collingwood.
Cult hero retires again after failed comeback
He decided to have one more try after an emotional retirement last year, but things didn’t quite work out for an Essendon cult hero.
Robbo: If Parish wants out, let him walk
The demolition of the Bombers in Sydney was a culmination of two months of struggles, and it might force the Bombers to re-think their future list plans, writes Mark Robinson.
162-36: Humiliated Dons have finals hopes dashed
Essendon have totally capitulated in their early elimination final against GWS, with their season drawing to a painful close. It’s the fifth biggest loss in the club’s history.
AFL Finals: Each team’s top 8 hopes explained
The race for the minor premiership, top two, top four and top eight are all still alive as the AFL season reaches a thrilling conclusion.
Cult hero’s return could decide finals fate
Essendon hasn’t been the same without Sam Draper and the cult hero has something special to bring back this weekend.
Mahoney out at Bombers, could he be bound for the AFL?
Essendon’s football manager, Josh Mahoney is out at Bomberland, saying he is keen to explore a new challenge but could he be a prime candidate for one of the vacant positions at the AFL?
Scott offers up Gather Round excuse for dismal Dons effort
Essendon coach Brad Scott has lashed his team, admitting Saturday was the ‘harsh lesson’ the Bombers needed. But he also floated a reason for his side’s spluttering form.
Buddy’s career blow as Stevie J predicts retirement
A former Sydney Swans assistant coach believes Lance Franklin will hang up the boots after the superstar’s latest injury blow.
Does bittersweet defeat rule Bombers out of finals?
The Bombers beat Sydney almost everywhere but the scoreboard on Saturday night, Glenn McFarlane breaks down what the loss means, and where the club can improve.
Inside story: The truth about Dons growth in 2023
On-field, the Bombers may be teetering but off-field, they’re going from strength to strength. Jon Ralph charts Essendon’s growth and what we can expect in the near future.
More questions over star Bomber’s fitness
Essendon needs a fit and firing Jake Stringer to make the finals but as always issues with his fitness are posing problems.
Star Bomber wants teammate to follow suit
A star Essendon defender who knocked back free agency to re-sign with the club is urging a teammate to join him in staying.
The must-win games as Dons finals hopes take a hit
After the loss against the Bulldogs, the Bombers’ finals chances have taken a hit. But which games to they have to win to cement their spot in the eight? Read the deep dive.
Essendon needs to make this player the richest in the AFL
Essendon have plenty of cap space and a war chest they can take to the trade table. Mark Robinson identifies what they need and the player they should open the cheque book for.
‘I can’t ever see myself leaving’: Stringer talks Bombers gratitude
Jake Stringer has gained plenty of perspective since he joined the Bombers from the Bulldogs, and the livewire says it is part of the reason he wants to be a Bomber forever.
‘Get off the ground’: Bombers star slammed
A number of AFL players and even officials have been recognised lately and former defender Kane Cornes has had an absolute gutful of it all.
Trade: Why Shiel to Geelong makes sense
Dylan Shiel is no longer indispensable at the Bombers, so could another club try and pounce on the midfielder? One club could present a win-win scenario to get him out of Essendon.
Will bumper Crows deal get Redman over the line?
Adelaide’s deal for Mason Redman is on the table, leaving the Essendon free agent with a big decision to make. Here’s the latest.
‘Feel for our fans’: Bombers didn’t push for move
Thousands of Essendon fans will miss captain Zach Merrett’s 200th game at Geelong after the AFL refused to move the game to the MCG.
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