FINDING THE POSITIVES
It’s never easy losing to Carlton.
Satan has no greater disciples than those that wander the corridors at Princes Park. They are evil. I’m sure of it. But Sunday night wasn’t all bad, not by a long way.
Despite gifting the Blues a handsome lead at quarter time, Essendon worked tirelessly to get back into the game and, much like the loss to Brisbane, almost glimpsed an impossible victory. But sadly, this was not to be. But let’s not look upon these disappointments as the signs of a poor club - rather, a club in a rebuild showing significant signs of life.
Essendon is on the right path. I think…
For a year filled with injuries galore, in a team whose usual best-22 is already on the young side, Essendon has been able to carve something positive out of what will likely go down as a forgettable season. And the positive is simple. Opportunity.
On Sunday night Luamon Lual debuted for the Dons, making it eight debutants in 2025 for the club. If another two debut in the red and black, the club will have matched a record going back as far as 1974. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, it’s likely to get there and maybe further.
Lual impressed on Sunday night and showed he has it in him to meet the grade.
Naturally, no one is enjoying the reason for all these new faces appearing at senior level. Injuries to Zach Reid, Jordan Ridley, Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Mason Redman, Kyle Langford, Nik Cox, Ben McKay and even recent debutants Lewis Hayes, Tom Edwards and Saad El-Hawli have forced the club to throw some of its youngest into the fire of AFL football.
In years gone by, the likes of Lual, Zak Johnson, Archer Day-Wicks and Angus Clarke would have more than likely spent their entire year on buses between VFL grounds. In a contract year, a player like Lual may have found himself without a contract going forward.
But in 2025, not only does Lual have the chance to fight for his spot - he has the opportunity to flourish. His first outing against Carlton of 11 disposals was solid. Many will be replaying that dream-like moment he had in the first quarter, slotting a goal with his first kick in AFL football. Pure Hollywood. Yet for me, it was his five tackles throughout the match that impressed even more. Lual, whatever kind of player he becomes, makes you earn your touches.
Because that man can hit you with some ferocity. A much-needed attribute for this youthful squad.
It is expected that Redman will be missing for a few weeks with what the club has stated is a low-grade calf injury. So, Lual has a chance to make his mark, whether on the half-back line or down the wing.
It’s in his hands.
Zak Johnson too is making the most of his time in the side, with a handy 18 disposal game (at 83%) that included seven intercepts and some thoughtful use of the ball off half-back. Many who had seen him playing at VFL level, watching him accumulate a lot of the ball quickly, knew he would be someone to watch. So far, Johnson has exhibited enough skill that proves that he can meet the level and seems to have a mature head on his shoulders. Tick. Tick.
Zak Johnson is looking more like a best-22 player every week.
Angus Clarke on Sunday again showed he is building well into his career. Now, it’s obviously challenging to meet the same standard he threw up at Dreamtime, and nor should we expect that kind of performance regularly at his age, but Clarke is going about his business in a way that should please fans and the coaches alike.
He’s gaining a better grasp of the speed of the game and contests manfully, especially given his lean build at 18 years of age. He covered the ground well against the Blues, and continues to be one that I think fans of the Planes can get quietly excited about going forward.
Archer Day-Wicks didn’t have much game time, but again, showed enough to think he won’t be seeing VFL footy anytime soon. Though, for his sake I hope he doesn’t get placed as sub again. Based on his performance, I’d wager Archie Perkins is more likely to get the ol’ vest than ADW.
Isaac Kako I think is suffering a little bit.
Coming into the league with big hype surrounding him, not to mention his pre-season performance against Geelong that certainly added fuel to the fire of fans’ hopes, has meant that expectation on this guy is high. So, it’s unsurprising that the season to date has been challenging for Kako. So far, he’s notched up six goals since debuting against Hawthorn, having not scored in seven of his 12 outings - four of these zeros coming in the last four weeks. Now, despite this deficiency in front of goal, Kako has shown plenty of effort and pressure in the forward half. His good disposal and selfless instincts are impressive and will hold him in good stead.
However, these quiet games in front of goal aren’t exactly the recipe for confidence. Small forwards want to kick goals - fans want them to kick goals. And sooner or later, I fear it will start to itch at him. In most years, he’d likely have had himself a little stint in the reserves to gain some confidence - perhaps some time to hone a few finer aspects of his craft. But at the beginning of the season (as it is now) Essendon’s need for small forward quality was as wide as the maw of a Sarlac Pit.
(Little Star Wars reference for ya there.)
Kako is the kind of player I know will be a champion one day, my only fear is that a tough season may dampen his natural flare. Confidence is a precious thing and diabolical if taken away from someone with as much god given talent as Isaac Kako. Let’s just hope he can retain it during this goal-dry period.
I think we all knew 2025 was going to be a challenging season as fans, though not for the reasons that it current is. But the club remains even at 6-6 with the lowly percentage of 84. The Dons are likely to dip into a deficit soon, with Geelong and Fremantle to come just before the bye. Not that things get any easier on the other side with the Gold Coast Suns awaiting.
But despite what will be a harsh road out of the season, Essendon will not leave it without plenty of positives, and the youth and the way they’re applying themselves will be at the heart of it. And there’s still time for more! But who may be next to debut?
Who will come in next? Essendon’s mid-season draft class provides many options.
Archer May? Liam McMahon?
Will Lachlan Blakiston or Vigo Visintini come in to cover an obviously fatiguing Todd Goldstein?
Or can we expect to see Dylan Shiel or Elijah Tsatas return to the AFL to replace Sam Durham during his two-week suspension. Can they finally find enough form to stay there? Thursday night’s team selections look likely to remain must watch news!
Look, I think all Bombers fans are hungry for success now - like right fucking now! But that just ain’t going to happen. This team is not close and 2026 could easily be one filled with frustration and plenty of ‘what if’s’. That is the game with youth, but if you get it right, things will turn sharply.
As the current consensus stands among those expert pundits in the media, it appears Harley Reid will likely remain at West Coast for another year at least, meaning the club will enter the draft still holding some tasty high picks and a few NGA players to consider. And who knows how many more picks if the mail about Sam Draper looking to depart is true.
With all that said, Essendon appears destined to continue its rebuild through the draft. Youth will remain in vogue at the Hangar in Tullamarine. Let’s just hope Brad Scott and Matt Rosa can build a side that can grow together, and finally, succeed together.
Because after two decades of failed launches, Dons fans deserve a side they can believe it.
Let’s hope it’s somewhere within this one.
Go Planes