Round 1 Match Committee: Featuring Robert Shaw. How would we line up against the Hawks?

We’re 29 days out from Round 1… and that means one thing for Essendon fans: Selection season has officially begun. On this special episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Ian are joined by former Essendon premiership architect and two-time senior AFL coach Robert Shaw, who steps into the role of Chairman of Selectors. The task? Pick the Essendon side best placed to take on Hawthorn in Round 1. This isn’t a “Best 23” debate. It’s about matchups. Structure. Game style. And how the Bombers should approach a Hawks side missing key midfield pieces. We cover: 🔴 How match committee operated in the past (and a classic Andrew Welsh story) 🔴 Whether Hawthorn’s Opening Round game is an advantage or disadvantage 🔴 Defensive matchups for Chol, Lewis, Gunston, Watson & Ginnivan 🔴 The midfield battle without, Day or Worpel 🔴 Do you tag Newcombe? 🔴 How Lachlan Blakiston shapes up against Meek and possibly Reeves 🔴 A pace-heavy forward line vs structural discipline 🔴 Patron-voted Round 1 side vs our own selections 🔴 The unlucky names who just miss out Plus, Rob gives his expectations for Essendon in 2026. Selection debates don’t get much better than this. Stay Safe & Go Dons.   ____   Footy Tipping Comp (password: DonTheStat2026) https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/Don_The_Stat_2026_Tipping?p=DonTheStat2026 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==