Rick's Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/RickEdwards __________________________________________ 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 and training-vision legend Rick Edwards for a deep dive into the players Essendon could target with picks 5, 6, 21, 27 and 30. Rick shares his Top 10 prospects, breaks down the strengths, weaknesses, and comparisons of names like Willem Duursma, Sullivan Robey, Cooper Duff-Tytler and Xavier Taylor, and reveals a few smokeys who might surprise on draft night. We also discuss Essendon’s Next Gen Academy prospects Adam Sweid and Hussein El-Achkar, plus some future Bombers to watch in Blake Justice, Koby Bewick and Tevita Rodan. It’s an episode packed with analysis, insight, and the kind of detail only Don The Stat brings. _______________________ 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==

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 unpack:   The Zach Merrett trade standoff: what Hawthorn offered, why Essendon said no, and what it means for 2026.   Andrew Welsh’s early moves as President and the stabilising effect on the club.   Dean Solomon’s appointment as defensive coach and how it reshapes the box.   Brayden Fiorini’s role (elite disposal/interrupt profile on a true wing) and the value he adds after significant experience losses.   Ruck strategy without Draper/Goldstein: backing in Nick Bryan and depth options.   List changes: Ben Hobbs and Luamon Lual delisted, Setterfield watch.   Draft strategy with picks 5, 6, 21, 27 & 30, live-trade scenarios, and how NGA prospects Adam Sweid & Hussein El-Achkar shape pick movement.   Midfield needs (size + burst), half-forward options, and why trading up looks unlikely.   Chris De Silva article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-17/afl-trade-period-analysis-zach-merrett-first-round-pick-value/105898588 ______________ 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==

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 Twitter Spaces. As such, the audio quality was not the best. Apologies for that   Follow the Flight Plan here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ALXYwGNJN9AiJTQGVdpeQ   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==

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 each game in the year and award the winner this prestigious award.    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==

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 https://x.com/BomberRicko 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==

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 go from McGrath to Wright. Part 2 with the rest of the players will be out shortly.   Follow Rick on X at https://x.com/BomberRicko   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==

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 of the club and all the news swirling around that now.    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==

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 also talk about some of the difficult list management decisions that the club faces heading in to the Drafts and Trade period.      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==

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 looking at how the Bombers can spoil the Suns final's chances in the last game of the season.    Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 looking how the Dons can finish a year on a high with a win over the old enemy.    Follow Don The Stat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/donthestat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==   Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 at how the Bombers can get their seventh win of the season against the Saints this week.   Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 to find a pathway to success against the Cats.    Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 clubs before looking at the clash against the Swans at the SCG.    Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 in the off-season before looking at how the Bombers can redeem themselves after their last game against the Bulldogs.  Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 the Giants.   Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 back on the winners list against the Tigers.    Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

Jono returns from overseas as the Bombers resume their season against the Suns at Marvel Stadium after their bye.    Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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 can turn around their form againist the Dockers. Fill in the entry form to be in a chance to win a Double Pass to see Isaac Kako and Archie Perkins on Wednesday 25th of June at the Sporting Globe Chirnside Park - https://forms.gle/sy3gNmbwcoPuE2Gd8   Link to tickets - https://sportingglobe.com.au/bombers/?fbclid=IwY2xjawK_dW9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFNVkg3VzNDbGVidlBpQXA2AR7LGxNjmoD1a6A25X5M70nkWOJoExp4fZ8x9cbgDWDEzTb-IikCYhK8tFuEdg_aem_-Yam5WOePBKxUhwmx1iJ9g   Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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

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, Patron Josh Wilson joins the show to help preview the clash against the Cats.  Watch 'The Moment that Mattered' and listen to our Post Match First Thoughts exclusively on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/donthestat 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