Round 24, 2026 | Essendon v Port Adelaide - Win for Pride or Lose for Pick One?

The end of a long and difficult 2026 season has arrived but even the final game comes with a complicated question: do we desperately want one last win, or accept the benefits that could come with Pick 1? 😬 We review Essendon’s 36-point loss to Sydney, including the disastrous opening quarter and the pressure, tackling and turnover game that allowed the young Bombers to match the Swans across the remaining three terms. We also discuss: 🔴 Andy McGrath’s 200th game ⚫ What could be Zach Merrett’s final appearance for Essendon 📋 The biggest calls among the club’s out-of-contract players 🏉 The VFL side’s charge into its first finals campaign in seven years ⏳ The continued wait for Essendon’s next senior coach 📊 Where an injury-hit Port Adelaide can be exposed Can the Bombers produce one final spirited performance and send their supporters into the off-season with a win or will the wooden spoon at least deliver a valuable consolation prize? ____ 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==