Don The Stat

We are officially 23 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 22 and Guernsey Number 22.

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

We are officially 24 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

Guernsey Number 24 - a jumper defined by endurance, Premiership success, and some of the longest-serving players the club has ever produced.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 23 and Guernsey Number 23.

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

We are officially 25 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

Guernsey Number 25 — a number defined by goals, Premierships, and one of the most durable scoring forwards the club has ever seen.

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

Thanks to Robert Shaw for being a part of this episode.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

Guernsey Number 26 — a number defined by elite goalkicking, leadership, Premiership success, and one very important link to Don The Stat itself.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 26 and Guernsey Number 26.

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

We are officially 27 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

Guernsey Number 27 — a jumper defined by ruck royalty, Premiership success, and one of the most enduring individual legacies in Essendon history.

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

We are officially 28 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

Guernsey Number 28 — a number shaped by durability, Premiership success, and one of the great long-term custodians in club history.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 27 and Guernsey Number 27.

_______________________

Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

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:

Plus, Rob gives his expectations for Essendon in 2026.

Selection debates don’t get much better than this.

Stay Safe & Go Dons.

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We are officially 29 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

Jumper Number 29 — a jumper with Premiership history, and a Reynolds family thread across generations.

_______________________

Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

We are officially 30 days out from Essendon’s Round 1 clash with Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on March 13 and between now and then, we’re doing something a little bit different.

By the time we get to Number 1, we’ll be on the eve of Round 1 — and we’ll have walked through more than a century of Essendon history, one jumper at a time.

Jumper Number 30 — a number that has quietly carried Premiership players, long-serving contributors, and now the next generation.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Day 29 and Guernsey Number 29.

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian 

In this episode of Don The Stat, we sit down with Xavier Duursma as he reflects on his third pre-season at Essendon Football Club and why this one feels like a turning point.

his role heading into 2026 and what it demands

the differences between playing wing and half-forward

what he brings to Essendon’s forward line

the impact of new Assistant Coach Dean Solomon

his leadership aspirations and what growth off the field looks like for him

how his brother is settling in at West Coast Eagles

and what excites him most about Essendon in 2026, including big praise for Jordan Ridley and the club’s new draftees.

It’s a conversation about role clarity, trust in your body, learning from strong coaches, and stepping into greater responsibility all pointing toward why Xavier believes 2026 could be an exciting year.

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Links:

Don The Stat Website | The Official Home of Don The Stat 

Jono / Ian