Essendon’s Rebuilding Efforts and the Road Ahead
Essendon coach Brad Scott has made a bold statement about the club’s rebuilding process, claiming that the “hard work is done” when it comes to restructuring their playing list. Despite the team’s struggles this season, Scott remains confident that the foundation for a successful return is in place.
The Bombers have faced significant challenges in 2026, having gone without a win since May 2025. Their early-season performances have been disappointing, with heavy losses to Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, and North Melbourne. This has placed immense pressure on Scott, who is now tasked with turning the team around.
However, Scott believes that the club has already taken the necessary steps to rebuild. He pointed to the major changes made to the list over the past three years, including the addition of 39 players. “You can put labels on all sorts of things, but when you turn your list over by 39 players in three years, I think the hard work’s done,” he said.
Scott explained that the club made strategic decisions to trade draft picks for future opportunities, allowing them to invest more effectively in the draft. “If you look at the last three years, we’ve done that. It’s not like we need to strip the list back and rebuild it. That process started three years ago.”
Essendon brought in three first-round draft picks in 2025 as part of this turnover, along with four players via the mid-season draft in 2024 due to long-term injuries. However, the club has not had much success at the draft table in the 2020s, which has contributed to ongoing issues.
Club legend Matthew Lloyd has expressed concerns about the lack of quality talent in key positions. “They’re just crying out for someone through that midfield to be it,” he said on Nine’s Footy Classified. “Since they drafted Zach Merrett, there’s just been no quality there.”
Lloyd highlighted the struggles of players like Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell, who are not considered A-grade talents. He also pointed to players like Elijah Tsatas, who is currently playing in the VFL, and Nate Caddy, who has shown promise.
The Western Bulldogs’ Strong Start
While Essendon has struggled, the Western Bulldogs have emerged as one of the strongest teams in the competition. They have beaten the Lions, the Crows, and GWS to start the season, making them strong favorites against Essendon in their upcoming clash.
Despite the odds, Scott is not looking to play it safe. “I’ve never been a person, player or coach, whatever, that is interested in reducing a margin,” he said. “You go out and you get on the front foot. In boxing parlance, you throw the first punch.”
Scott emphasized the importance of pressing the opposition, winning the ball, and maintaining intensity throughout the game. “They can’t control how well we pressure and our intent in the contest. They’re primarily where the focuses are. It’s pretty simple – pressure in the contest, win the ball, contested stuff, pressure when we haven’t got it, and then the execution with ball in hand.”
Key Absence for Essendon
Essendon will be without rising star Nate Caddy for the match due to a delayed concussion sustained in the loss to the Kangaroos. As of Sunday night’s game, it will have been 317 days since the Dons last secured a victory.
