With a raft of stars returning after their drug-saga suspensions, Essendon were an impossible team to predict entering 2017.
The footy world had never seen such a large group of players miss an entire season like this. Would their champions like Watson, Heppell and Hurley just pick up from where they left off? Would they take time to reacclimatise? Would they run out of gas?
Well after 12 games Bombers fans can rest easy – their team is back.
John Worsfold’s team went to the bye inside the top-eight with a 6-6 record and a percentage of 102.9%.
At the best, Essendon have been scintillating. Their wins over Port Adelaide, Geelong and West Coast showcased their exhilarating speed off half-back and through the middle of the ground.
This quick ball movement has enabled their forward line to put big scores on the board. The combination of Joe Daniher, Cale Hooker, James Stewart, Orazio Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Josh Green are getting better by the week. Daniher in particular is having a breakout season and is a sneaky chance to win the Coleman Medal.
Michael Hurley has been a rock in defence and is surely favourite for the All Australian centre half back position. Number one draft pick Andrew McGrath has been outstanding as well and is a worthy AFL Rising Star favourite.
But with the Bombers conceding the sixth-most points to date and the second-most inside 50s, their defence needs some more support from their midfield. Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell are stars, but with Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard and Brent Stanton all nearing the end, more help is needed in the guts if the Dons are to continue to improve.
With only two games remaining against top-eight teams, Essendon should be hoping for a fairytale return to finals in 2017. They may not be a legitimate premiership threat this year, but after years of misery, the future is finally bright at Bomberland.
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