In the sixth of our series of bonus episodes, Ian chats with Liam Crowhurst, a data scientist who has done a lot of work on some advanced analytics on the AFL. We talk about what xScore is and how it can be used by teams, how intercepts are a key metric for detemining success and what the data says Essendon needs to do better in order to be a premiership contender moving forward. 

You can follow Liam and see his work on Twitter at https://twitter.com/crow_data_sci

Bonus Episodes are released a week early to Patrons. You can join our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

Jono and Ian discuss some of the Essendon takes from the media over the previous week before diving into some listener suggested question. We cover Essendon's Stoppage Clearance problem, what the key stats we're focusing on this year and the small-forward conundrum, amongst others. 

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. You can contact the hosts on twitter or email questions through to [email protected]

If you would like to support us on Patreon you can do so through: https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

In our fifth bonus episode, Ian speaks with Greg Martin, father of Nic about Nic's journey to AFL and switching from supporting the Pies to the Dons.

This episode was released early to subscribers via Patron. To sign up, visit our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

Jono and Ian are joined by fan favourite training watcher Rick Edwards to break down how the Don's Pre-season is going. We talk about how the new coaches have settled in, who the next potential captain is and go through each of the new draftees to see how they're handling the transition to AFL football. 

You can follow Rick on twitter for pictures and videos from Essendon training at https://twitter.com/BomberRicko

If you would like to support us on Patreon you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

Jono and Ian take a walk down memory lane by looking at the best Essendon wins since 1990. We go over the key moments, the big plays and our personal recollections of 8 famous victories:

• North Melbourne 2001

These games were determined through the tournament we have been running on Twitter where each day in January Essendon fans have been voting for their best Essendon wins. The tournament will run for the remainder of January, you can follow along at https://twitter.com/Kyptastic1

If you would like to join our Patreon you can do so at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

Don The Stat has started a Patreon! You can become a Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/donthestat

Join the Patron to gain early access to Bonus episodes, Excluisve Video content or to support the show. 

To celebrate the beginning of the Patreon, I hosted a Bomber Quiz on Twitter Spaces, you can listen to it after the announcement. Thanks to everyone who participated and congratulations to the winner! 

(Apologies for the Audio quality of the Quiz. Twitter Space recordings are difficult to comlete at the same level of quality as the regular pod. We are working on ways to improve this). 

Jono and Ian wrap up year 2022 by discussing the recent CEO appointment, the 2023 AFL Fixture reveal and look at what our new draftees can bring to the side. We then look into the crystal ball for 2023 before reflecting on what the Podcast has meant to us and giving shout outs to the people who have supported the show in 2022. 

To react to the AFL National Draft of 2022 Jasper Chellappah of the Inner Sanctum has kindly joined Ian to go over Essendon's selections. We hear what it was like in the room, what decisions the recruiting team had to make and what Essendon's new selections can bring to the side heading in to 2023. 

You can follow Jasper at https://twitter.com/Jasperc53?s=20&t=3hY42wm5efZnFIMqtqqsIg

With the Essendon Board election under way Ian is joined by Mike Read, an Essendon fan who has been looking closely at the board election process. We discuss the background to the current elections and the importance of members votes in shaping the direction of the club moving forward. 

You can follow Mike on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mike_read_?s=20&t=s4E1viNendnkLFIKmy5roA

Jono and Ian are joined by Inner Sanctum draft expert Jasper Chellappah. We talk about all the football department additions and player movements of the past month for the Bombers before Jasper takes us in depth into the 2022 draft and what to expect to happen with Essendon's picks on the night. We take some audience questions and put down our predictions for what will happen with pick 4 and an Alwyn Davey Jnr bid. 

You can find Jasper on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Jasperc53?s=20&t=dJU71y686IA-bpsmlN0r_w

Jasper's Inner Sanctum Power Rankings for the 2022 Draft: https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/afl-phantom-draft-2022-how-will-the-first-round-play-out/