Rock 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 there are genuine reasons to believe the Bombers can move forward under Mark McVeigh. In our comprehensive 2026 Season Review, we discuss: 📊 The numbers behind Essendon’s struggles at both ends of the ground 🔄 The differences between Brad Scott and Dean Solomon’s approaches 🛡️ The late-season improvement in pressure, tackling and defensive intent 🚨 The centre-clearance, turnover and uncontested-possession problems 🧠 #Spikeball. The game plan Mark McVeigh may look to introduce in 2027 ⚡ Why Essendon desperately needs more speed, skill and front-half connection 📋 The biggest priorities facing the club during the off-season 🔴 Our three biggest positives and negatives from the season 🌱 The development of Essendon’s exciting 2025 draft class ⭐ The progress of Nate Caddy, Archie Roberts and Zach Reid 💪 Peter Wright’s outstanding season as a forward-ruck 🔀 The uncertain futures of Ben McKay and Jordan Ridley 👀 Essendon’s pursuit of Artie Jones and the potential arrival of Dion Prestia 🎁 What the Bombers might receive in an AFL assistance package 🏟️ The VFL Bombers’ stirring finals victory at a packed Windy Hill It wasn’t the season anybody wanted. But amid the disappointment, did the Bombers begin laying the foundations for something better? We sift through the wreckage of 2026 and look ahead to the beginning of another new era at Essendon. 🔴⚫ ___ 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==