Don The Stat

Don The Stat & Essendon 2025 Wrapped: Vozzo Exit, Draft Class Deep Dive, 2026 Breakouts & the Stats That Matter

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s our end-of-year wrap for 2025 — and we’re packing a lot in. Jono and Humey cover Craig Vozzo’s departure and why his three-year tenure ma...

Hot Takes & Hand Grenades: Essendon’s Most Unhinged (Sort Of) Predictions for 2026

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Don The Stat, Jono and Ian dive into a stack of listener-submitted hot takes for the 2026 season, ranging from the genuinely insigh...

Draft Dreams and NGA Hopefuls: Essendon’s 2025 National Draft Preview (feat. Rick Edwards)

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With trade week done and dusted, it’s time to turn our attention to the 2025 National Draft. Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume are joined by draft watcher...

Essendon 2025 Trade Review & Draft Preview | Merrett saga, Welsh era, Solomon appointment

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don The Stat returns with a full breakdown of Essendon’s 2025 trade period and a clear-eyed preview of the AFL Draft.   Jonathan Walsh and Ian Hume...

Don The Stat 2025 Mid Trade Period Temperature Check (With Todd Davey from the Flight Plan)

11 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ian is joined by Todd from the Flight Plan Podcast as we take stock on the Trade Period as of Friday the 10th of October.   This was recorded live on...

Don The Stat 2025 Best and Fairest Award - The Jack Kirby Medal

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian present the second annual Jack Kirby Medal, the Don the Stat Best and Fairest award voted by the Hosts and the Patrons. We reflect on eac...

Don The Stat 2025 Player Review with Rick Edwards (Part 2)

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ian and Rick Edwards are back to go over the performance of Essendon's players in 2025, from Archie Roberts to Liam McMahon.  Follow Rick on X at htt...

Don The Stat 2025 Player Review with Rick Edwards (Part 1)

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ian is joined by friend of the show Rick Edwards to rate and review the seasons of each Essendon player who played a senior game in 2025. In Part 1 we...

Don The Stat 2025 Post Season Q&A Episode

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian take questions from their Patrons who joined them live on Zoom. Lots to discuss on the season that was, especially regarding the Captain ...

Don The Stat 2025 Season Review and List Management Discussion

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian review the annus horribilis that was the Essendon 2025 Season, digging into the stats and gameplan issues that reared their heads. They a...

Don The Stat Season 2025 Round 24 Preview vs Gold Coast Suns

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian give an extended First Thoughts after the loss to [Redacted]. Jono then goes through his five biggest list priorities for Essendon before...

Don the Stat 2025 Round 24 Preview vs [Redacted]

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian examine a loss against the Saints that had more positives than negatives. They look into the consequences of recent list decisions before...

Don the Stat 2025 Round 23 Preview vs St Kilda

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ian and Jono disect the good and bad from our Geelong performance. Jono comes off the long run in responding to some media tripe before the boys look ...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 22 Preview vs Geelong

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and an examine an improved performance agains the Swans. They do a deep dive into the claim that Archie Perkins is a 'draft bust' before trying t...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 21 Preview vs Sydney (and Moneyball Trade targets)

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's Groundhog Day for Jono and Ian as they examine another Bulldogs belting. They look around the competition for Moneyball trade targets from other ...

Don the Stat 2025 Round 20 Preview vs The Western Bulldogs (and List Management discussion)

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian talk about a Giants game that was better than the margin suggested. They then do a deep dive into the list management decisions coming up...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 19 Preview vs the GWS Giants

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a disappointing night against the Tigers, Jono and Ian sift through the wreckage. They then turn their thoughts to our clash this week against t...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 18 Preview vs Richmond

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian examine a competitive performance against the Suns. They talk about things that the media isn't before looking at how the Bombers can get...

Don the Stat 2025 Round 17 Preview vs Gold Coast

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono returns from overseas as the Bombers resume their season against the Suns at Marvel Stadium after their bye.    Watch 'The Moment that Mattered...

Don The Stat 2025 Mid-Season Q&A

29 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian are back for their annual Bye Round Q&A episode, joined live by some of ther fantastic patrons.    Watch 'The Moment that Mattered'...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 15 Preview vs Fremantle

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Timezone differences mean Jono and Ian can't record together, but both give their thoughts on the belting by Geelong before looking at how Essendon ca...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 14 Preview vs Geelong (Feat. Josh Wilson)

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian experience Deja vu as they examine the Bombers slow start and comeback in their loss to the Blues. Then, as Jono sets off for England, Pa...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 13 Preview vs [Redacted]

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian drill down into the positives coming out of our loss to the Lions. They then dig deep into what's been going on with [Redacted] this seas...

Don The Stat 2025 - Mid Season Draft Review (and previewing the Lions match, I guess)

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian talk about the Bombers getting back on the winners list against the Tigers. They do a deep dive into Essendon's Mid-Season draft haul bef...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 11 Preview vs Richmond

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian find the words to deal with the demoralising loss against the Dogs before looking at how the Dons can rebound against the Tigers at Dream...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 10 Preview vs the Western Bulldogs

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian examine a win against the Swans that showed real signs of a team that is on the cusp of doing something special before turning their atte...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 9 Preview vs Sydney

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian examine the ups and downs of Essnedon's 3 point win against North Melbourne and do a deep dive into the performances of Archie Perkins. T...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 8 Preview vs North Melbourne

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian review an ANZAC day clash against the Pies where the Bombers threatened for a time before the class of the ladder leaders won out. They t...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 7 Preview vs Collingwood

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian examine the close win against the Eagles before disecting the fallout from the Sam Draper injury. They then turn their attention to the a...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 6 Preview vs West Coast

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ian and Jono analyse another successful Gather Round victory against the Demons. They look at how this weekend's news has impacted our ruck situation ...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 5 Preview vs Melbourne

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Great Debate takes place as Ian argues for acquiring Harley Reid whilst Jono takes the negative position. We then turn to the Demons and look at h...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 4 Bye

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian review Essendon's first win of the year against Port Adelaide. They then address a range of questions from their Patrons.   Listen to Th...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 3 Preview vs Port Adelaide

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono flys solo to dig into the reality of our loss against Adelaide in Round 2 and the positives we can take away from it. He then turns his attentio...

First Thoughts - Round 2, Essendon v Adelaide

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First Thoughts are usually a Don The Stat Patreon exclusive, but given the response to Essendon's loss against the Crows on Saturday, we thought we'd ...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 2 Preview vs Adelaide

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian break down the loss against the Hawks in Round 1. They touch on the first quarter, the stoppage dominance and look at the transition defe...

Don The Stat 2025 Round 1 Preview vs Hawthorn

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian return for the first match preview of Season 2025. They look at how the Hawks have developed into one of the top sides in the comp and ex...

Don The Stat 2025 Ask Us Anything (AMA)

08 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the Suns game cancelled, Ian and Jono take some questions from their listeners. They talk about how the show started, what it was like for Jono b...

Don the Stat Pre-Season Interview with Nic Martin

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ian gets the chance of a quick chat with Nic Martin. Nic talks about his elevation to the leadership group, what he learnt from playing at halfback an...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 1 Day to Go

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 2 Days to Go

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 3 Days to Go

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 4 Days to Go

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 5 Days to Go

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 6 Days to Go

01 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 7 Days to Go

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 8 Days to Go

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don the Stat 2025 Season Preview

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian review the practice game win against Geelong and compare the result from the previous season. They then look ahead to the Bombers season ...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 9 Days to Go

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don the Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 10 Days to Go

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat 2025 - Essendon vs Geelong Practice Match First Thoughts

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

**First Thoughts episode's have been released to all for the Practice matches, but will be Patreon exclusive for the regular season. Sign up with the ...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 11 Days to Go

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 12 Days to Go

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 13 Days to Go (feat. Robert Shaw)

22 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Opening Round.   We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 14 Days to Go

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 39 Days to Go Don The Stat Play     Don the Stat is counting down the Days unt...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 15 Days to Go

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Pre-Season Q&A Episode

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian are joined by their Patrons for their Pre-Season Q&A episode, looking ahead to season 2025.    Listen to The Medical Room and our P...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 16 Days to Go

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Opening Round - 17 Days to Go

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 18 Days to Go

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 19 Days to Go

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don the Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 20 Days to Go

15 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat 2025 - Essendon v Western Bulldogs Practice Match First Thoughts

15 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

**2025 premiere First Thoughts episode. These will appear post game to give our initial thoughts both positive and negative coming out of a game. Th...

Don the Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 21 Days to Go

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 22 Days to Go

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Opening Round. We've ranked our Top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be co...

Don The Stat Pre-Season Training Report with Rick Edwards

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian are joined once again by Essendon Training watcher Rick Edwards for his pre-season training update. Rick goes through the postives, the c...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 23 Days to Go

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 24 Days to Go (feat. Robert Shaw)

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 25 Days to Go

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 26 Days to Go

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 27 Days to Go

08 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 28 Days to Go

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 29 Days to Go

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat 2025 Selection Committee - Picking our side for Opening Round

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian make their selections for how they would like the Dons to line up in the Opening Round game against the Gold Coast Suns.   Listen to The...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 30 Days to Go

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 31 Days to Go

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 32 Days to Go

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 33 Days to Go

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 34 Days to Go (Feat. Todd from the Flight Plan)

01 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 35 Days to Go

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown To Season 2025 - 36 Days to Go

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat 2025 - Season Premiere

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jono and Ian make their triumphant Main pod return in Season 2025. They talk about a new role for Dylan Shiel, go over the highs and lows of the Don T...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 37 Days to Go

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 38 Days to Go

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 39 Days to Go

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 40 Days to Go

26 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 41 Days to Go

25 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 42 Days to Go (Feat. Rick Edwards)

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 43 Days to Go (Feat. Rick Edwards)

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 44 Days to Go

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 45 Days to Go

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 46 Days to Go (Feat. Scott from the Lunchtime Catch Up Podcast)

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 47 Days to Go

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 48 Days to Go

18 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 49 Days to Go

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 50 Days to Go

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 51 Days to Go

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 52 Days to Go

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 53 Days to Go

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 54 Days to Go

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...

Don The Stat Countdown to Season 2025 - 55 Days to Go

11 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don the Stat is counting down the Days until Round 1. We've ranked our top 100 players for the Essendon football Club Since 1980 and we'll be counting...