🐶 Every man and his dog has put out a draft ranking. We figured the dog could use some company.

So here it is. Another bl**dy draft ranking. Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume count down Jono’s Top 30 for the 2026 AFL National Draft, and Humey makes him earn a few of those calls.

🎥 Jono’s been through full games and every-involvement edits across under-18 and state league footy. We get into the details that can change a ranking: who sees the next option before the ball arrives, who stays clean when the pressure comes, and whose best tricks will still work when the game gets quicker and the bodies get bigger.

🔥 The top five are tight. How much do you back explosive upside? What can a less prolific junior show you that a 30-possession player doesn’t? And what finally tipped Jono’s call at No. 1?

🔴⚫ Then it’s over to the Bombers. Who are we taking at Pick 1? How does that decision change what we do with 17, 22 and 25? Who would we trade up for? And how early would we match a bid for Blake Justice?

🎧 Get the full countdown on Don The Stat, with Jono’s in-depth player profiles available on Patreon.

__

Listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/

Follow Us on Twitter:

Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh

Ian at twitter.com/Kyptastic1

Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat

Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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 trade period that could significantly reshape the Bombers’ list.

🐎 Longmire joins the Bombers We discuss what John Longmire’s arrival means for Mark McVeigh, the coaching group and player development, alongside the additions of Brent Prismall and Shane Mumford. Are the Bombers putting the right support around their new coach and young list?

🔄 Merrett, Ridley and the big trade questions Fresh from his seventh Crichton Medal, Zach Merrett’s future remains a major talking point. We assess Hawthorn’s opening offer, what Essendon should demand and whether a player could be part of the deal. We also discuss Jordan Ridley’s potential move, Darcy Parish’s place in the side and the risks of moving on from Ben McKay.

🎯 Who could come in? We look at Jack Bowes, Laitham Vandermeer and the attributes Essendon appears to be targeting. What do the missed opportunities tell us about the club’s approach, and how should the Bombers balance experienced recruits with opportunities for their developing players?

📝 Contracts, delistings and AFL assistance Nic Martin’s long-term commitment provides some welcome good news. We reflect on the latest departures, the players still awaiting decisions and how Essendon could use its two additional rookie spots. Including the case for bringing in experienced leaders.

🔮 Pick one and the bigger picture Should Essendon hold the first pick or consider splitting it? We share our early thoughts on the draft, look ahead to the 2027 free agency market and discuss how Tasmania’s arrival could influence the Bombers’ list strategy.

🏆 Plus, our reflections on an extraordinary Grand Final and what Essendon can learn from the teams at the top.

Where does Zach Merrett rank among the greatest players in Essendon history?

After winning a record-equalling seventh Crichton Medal before his departure from the Bombers, Merrett finds himself alongside club legends Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchinson in the record books. But how does his career stack up against the champions who came before him?

On this episode of Don The Stat, Ian is joined by historian, author and Essendon expert Dr Dan Eddy to revisit the iconic Champions of Essendon list, originally announced in 2002, and build an updated Top 30 of the club’s greatest players.

Dan has written more than 20 books, including a biography of Dick Reynolds, and helped produce the club’s official history as part of Essendon’s 150th anniversary celebrations. He also hosts the Red and Black Project podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔴 Zach Merrett’s legacy: Do seven Crichton Medals put him among Essendon’s all-time greats? And how much should the club’s struggles affect his standing?

⚫ Revisiting the Champions of Essendon: Was the original Top 25 right? Which players could move up or down, and who was unlucky to miss out?

🔴 James Hird and Matthew Lloyd: How did the final chapters of their careers change their standing among the Bombers’ greatest players?

⚫ The new additions: We assess the cases for Dustin Fletcher, Jobe Watson, Scott Lucas and Zach Merrett, considering their individual achievements, longevity, leadership and impact on the club.

🔴 The final Top 30: We reveal our updated rankings and leave one spot open for you to decide!

Who deserves to be included among Essendon’s greatest players? Have we ranked Zach Merrett correctly? And which Bomber has been overlooked?

Let us know your updated Champions of Essendon Top 30 in the comments!

Subscribe to Don The Stat for Essendon analysis, AFL discussion, player reviews, draft coverage and more.

Go Dons! 🔴⚫

___

Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

Don The Stat Website: https://www.donthestat.com/

Follow Us on Twitter and Bluesky:

Jono at twitter.com/JonathanJWalsh / https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjwalsh.bsky.social

Ian at twitter.com/Kyptastic1 / https://bsky.app/profile/kyptastic.bsky.social

Don The Stat Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/donthestat

Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==