Shows / Don The Stat
Don The Stat
Don the Stat is a weekly podcast covering the Essendon Football Club. Former Essendon Football Club analyst Jonathan Walsh is joined by fellow Essendon fan Ian Hume to break down the previous weeks game and preview the tactics of the next match. We focus on a more analytical approach that considers the statistics and match day tactics that will impact each game.
Visit donthestat.com for the official home of Don The Stat.
Episodes
Don The StatInside Essendon's List: What Roles Should the Bombers Target in the 2026 Draft? (With Tommy Wolfe)
Essendon's list is taking shape, but where do the Bombers still need to improve ahead of the 2026 AFL National Draft? On this episode of Don The Stat, Ian is…
Don The StatNo Stats, Just Chaos! 🔥 | Essendon Hot Takes 2026
🔥 It's back! The annual Don The Stat Hot Takes episode! No stats. No research. No preparation. And absolutely no idea what's coming next. After a season…
Don The Stat2026 Trade Review: Coleman in and eyes on Pick 1
Trade period is done, and Essendon’s rebuild takes another turn. Jono and Humey assess the deals, the departures and what comes next as attention shifts…
Don The StatWhere Does Zach Merrett rank at Essendon all time - With Dr Dan Eddy
Where does Zach Merrett rank among the greatest players in Essendon history? After winning a record-equalling seventh Crichton Medal before his departure from…
Don The StatJono and Ian react to the Zach Merrett Trade
It’s done. Zach Merrett is a Hawk. 🎙️ Jono and Ian jump on for a short reaction episode as Essendon trades its former captain to Hawthorn for picks 15, 25 and…
Don The StatDon The Stat | 2026 Trade Period Preview: Merrett, Longmire & Building the New Essendon
A big appointment off the field and big decisions on it. Essendon’s off-season is gathering pace. Jono and Ian unpack the latest developments and preview a…
Don The Stat2026 Jack Kirby Medal - Who was Essendon's Best player this year?
Jono and Ian award the Don The Stat Best and Fairest award - the Jack Kirby Medal. Who's been voted the best performed Essendon player in 2026. Plus, the first…
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Who Starred? Who Flopped? | Essendon 2026 Player Ratings
Make your own Tierlist: https://tiermaker.com/create/essendon-player-ratings-2026-19810700?presentationMode=false Who starred, who struggled and who landed…
Don The StatDon The Stat Post-Season Q&A 2026
Jono and Ian are joined by some of the Don The Stat Patrons to ask questions about Essendon past, present and future. We touch on list management, coaching…
Don The StatRick Edwards’ BIG September AFL Draft Update | 2026 Top 20 Revealed
The 2026 AFL Draft is getting closer — and Rick Edwards is back with another major update to his Top 20! 🔴⚫ Rick has watched 26 games live this season and has…
Don The StatRock Bottom and the Road Back | 2026 Season Review
The curtain falls on one of the most difficult Essendon seasons in recent memory and it’s time to examine exactly what went wrong, what changed and whether…
Don The StatImpatience - Examining the Essendon Finals Win Drought
22 years. No finals wins. No premiership challenge. So how did Essendon get here? On September 4, 2004, Essendon defeated Melbourne by five points in an…
Don The StatRound 24 Review | One Season Ends, The Spike Era Begins
The 2026 season is over but a new Essendon era has already begun. 🔴⚫ We review the narrow final-round loss to Port Adelaide, Nate Caddy’s brilliant six-goal…
Don The StatThe First Interview: Mark McVeigh, New Essendon Senior Coach
New Essendon Senior Coach Mark McVeigh joins Don The Stat, along with Scooter from Lunchtime Catch up and Fiona from Bomber Banter for his first interview…
Don The StatRound 24, 2026 | Essendon v Port Adelaide - Win for Pride or Lose for Pick One?
The end of a long and difficult 2026 season has arrived but even the final game comes with a complicated question: do we desperately want one last win, or…
Don The StatRound 23, 2026 | 18th vs 2nd: Can Essendon Pull Off the Unthinkable?
After a competitive opening at Kardinia Park, one disastrous stretch allowed Geelong to break the game open and condemn Essendon to a 67-point defeat. We…
Don The StatRound 22, 2026 | Nowhere to Hide: The Young Dons Face Geelong
The kids showed glimpses. Peter Wright kicked six. But a 72-point defeat proved there’s still a mountain of work ahead. 🔴⚫ In this episode, we unpack…
Don The StatRound 21, 2026 | The Coaching Search Narrows - Who should Essendon pick?
Essendon’s search for its next senior coach is reaching the pointy end, with Mark McVeigh, Murray Davis, Jaymie Graham and James Hird emerging as the leading…
Don The StatRound 20, 2026 | The Kids Are Alright: Can the Baby Bombers Rattle the Hawks?
Finally, a win! Essendon’s young side produced a brave and mature performance to defeat the Giants by three points, giving Bombers supporters their first taste…
Don The StatRound 19, 2026 | Bombers vs Giants, Nate Caddy Commits & Coaching Search Heats Up
After a bruising 90-point loss to Brisbane, the Bombers face another tough challenge as they take on GWS in Round 19. This week on Don The Stat, Jonathan Walsh…
Don The StatRick Edwards July 2026 Draft Rankings
Ian is joined by Rick Edwards to give his update for July for his 2026 Draft Rankings. Support Rick at his patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards…
Don The StatRound 18, 2026: Lions Await as the Rebuild Rolls On
Essendon heads north to take on the reigning premiers in one of the toughest assignments of the season. This week on Don The Stat, Jono and Humey unpack…
Don The StatRound 17, 2026: Can the Bombers Break the Cycle Against the Saints?
Essendon returns to Marvel Stadium searching for just its second win of the season after another frustrating performance against North Melbourne. Jonathan…
Don The StatRound 16, 2026: Can Essendon Get Revenge on North? Trade Rumours, Coaching Talk & Post-Bye Priorities
The bye is over and Essendon returns for a big opportunity in their Round 16 clash against North Melbourne. With finals out of reach but plenty still to play…
Don The StatBombers Mid-Season Patron Q&A | Rebuild Reality, Coaching Candidates & Draft Dreams
The Don The Stat Patreon community takes centre stage in our annual Mid-Season Q&A Special! With Essendon sitting at a crossroads in 2026, Ian Hume and…
Don The StatStay the Course or Start Again? Tommy Wolfe on Essendon's Future
Is Essendon still on the right path, or has the club blinked at a critical moment in its rebuild? This week on Don The Stat, Ian is joined by Tommy Wolfe from…
Don The StatRound 14, 2026: Can the Bombers Repeat the Gather Round Formula?
Essendon heads to the MCG to face a Melbourne side that has transformed into one of the competition's most dangerous teams since the Bombers upset them during…
Don The StatEssendon’s Rebuild Starts Here | Rick Edwards’ June 2026 Top 20 Draft Rankings
Support Rick at his Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards With Essendon's 2026 season spiralling and the AFL Draft becoming the major source of…
Don The StatRound 13, 2026: Essendon v Carlton Preview | Rivalry Night, AFL Assistance & Can Solomon Spark a Response?
Stubby Holder Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRJGhBVEqDn7pywRvnDCnybyQR8vvoeMoIaoIGa0QDx7hT0A/viewform?usp=dialog Essendon and Carlton. The…
Don The StatRound 12, 2026: Essendon drama, Solomon Takes Over
It has been one of the biggest weeks in recent Essendon history. After another injury-hit loss, this time to Richmond in Dreamtime at the ‘G, the Bombers sit…
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Ian reacts to Brad Scott's Sacking
This was recorded on Patreon live earlier this evening. Ian gives his reaction to Brad Scott's sacking and interacts with Patrons. Jono will give his thoughts…
Don The StatRound 11, 2026: Essendon v Richmond Preview, Media Noise & Contest Concerns
***Apologies for the audio quality, there were issues with the recording tonight*** Dreamtime at the ‘G returns, but this year it arrives with plenty of…
Don The StatRound 10, 2026: Youth Rising, Opportunities Missed and the Fremantle Test
A 26-point lead. A young side full of energy. Then a game that slipped away. This week on Don The Stat, Jono and Humey unpack Essendon's frustrating 14-point…
Don The StatRound 9, 2026: 100 Previews Later | Essendon vs GWS Giants Preview, Whiteboard Fallout & Midfield Fixes
Don The Stat brings up its 100th Match Preview episode as Essendon heads north to face the GWS Giants at ENGIE Stadium. After a tough 64-point loss to the…
Don The StatRound 8, 2026: Bombers v Lions | Response Needed Against The Reigning Premiers
Article Link - https://www.donthestat.com/post/round-7-check-point-essendon-2026 ANZAC Day heartbreak is in the rear-view mirror, but the challenge only gets…
Don The StatRound 7, 2026: Anzac Day Test - Signs of Growth or Same Old Story?
Essendon heads into Anzac Day off the back of a narrow 9 point loss to Gold Coast. A result that didn’t go our way, but one that showed clear signs of growth…
Don The StatRound 6, 2026: Eclipse Season? Bombers Look to Back It Up Against the Suns
Essendon is on the board in 2026 and in style. After four tough losses to start the season, the Bombers delivered a statement 45-point win over Melbourne at…
Don The StatRound 5, 2026: Can Essendon Break Through Against Melbourne at Gather Round?
Essendon heads to Gather Round still searching for its first win of the 2026 season, but there were at least some signs of life in the second half against the…
Don The StatRound 4, 2026: Opportunity Missed, Mountain Ahead
Three rounds in, and Essendon are still searching. After a frustrating 12-point loss to North Melbourne, the Bombers showed signs of progress—but ultimately…
Don The StatRound 3, 2026: Demoralised Bombers Search for a Response Against North
Two rounds in, and Essendon’s 2026 season is already under real pressure. In this episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Humey review the Bombers’ 63-point loss to…
Don The StatRound 2, 2026: Hawthorn Reality Check, Port Preview & The Midfield Response
Round 1 hit hard. After a 62-point loss to Hawthorn, we dig into exactly what went wrong for Essendon in the season opener — and why the biggest issues ran…
Don The StatRound 1 Preview: Bombers vs Hawks | Can Essendon Exploit Hawthorn’s Weaknesses?
The wait is over. Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season has arrived. In this episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Humey preview Essendon’s season opener against…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 1 Day to Round 1
We are officially 1 day out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG tomorrow night. Leading into the 2025 Season, we counted down…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 2 Days to Round 1
We are officially 2 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 3 Days to Round 1
We are officially 3 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 4 Days to Round 1
We are officially 4 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 5 Days to Round 1
We are officially 5 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 6 Days to Round 1
We are officially 6 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
Don The Stat(REUPLOAD) Don the Stat 2026 Season Preview
Essendon’s 2026 season is almost here. With Round 1 against Hawthorn just 8 days away, Jono and Humey return for the annual Don The Stat Season Preview…
Don The StatDon the Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 7 days to Round 1
We are officially 7 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
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Don The Stat Season Preview 2026 | Stats, SWOT & Season Predictions
Essendon’s 2026 season is almost here. With Round 1 against Hawthorn just 8 days away, Jono and Humey return for the annual Don The Stat Season Preview…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 8 Days to Round 1
We are officially 8 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 9 Days to Round 1
We are officially 9 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 10 Days to Round 1
We are officially 10 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something…
Don The StatDon the Stat Countdown to 2026 - 11 Days to Round 1
We are officially 11 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something…
Don The StatPractice Match Reality Check: Saints Expose the Gaps | First Thoughts (Public Episode)
Our unbeaten pre-season run is over. In our final hit-out before Round 1, Essendon went down to St Kilda in Ballarat and this one gave us a much clearer…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 12 Days to Round 1
We are officially 12 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to 2026 - 13 Days to Round 1
We are officially 13 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something…
Don The StatDon The Stat Countdown to Season 2026 - 14 Days to Round 1
We are officially 14 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something…
Don The StatPre-Season Patreon Q&A: List Balance, Free Agents & Can We Win a Final in 2026?
The Bombers are undefeated in 2026…after one practice match. Ahead of the season, we jumped on with our Patreon subscribers for a live pre-season Q&A and…