The Pre Season Wrap

Season 2022 has come around quickly. Soon it will be time for preseason form to be put to the test, and we will gain our first real insight into our development and what our footy is likely to look like from here until September.

We will also find out how heavy the weight of expectation sits on individual players and the team collectively when the four points is on the line.

Prior to that, there will have been a decent 6-month gap between games played. Leading into round 1, for the first (and perhaps the last) time ever, The Sash takes a look at the Essendon Football Club’s preseason in our inaugural preseason wrap.

The good

As we’re such a positive lot, we’ll start with the good – with a particular focus on players. I’ll give you my preseason top 5 (and a bit more).

1.     Archie Perkins

Yep. He’s hot. Although he started his first season of AFL football with a bang, averaging 14 disposals to the midway point of the season, Archie came slightly back to earth in the second half of what was no doubt a long first year. He finished averaging 12 disposals a game, 2 tackles (down from 2.7 at the halfway point) and .5 goals a game. Although nothing to be despondent about, especially off the back of a 16 possession, 3 goals 3 behinds game against Adelaide which finally earned him a rising star nomination in round 16, he was held to just the 6 touches in our finals loss to a team we won’t mention.

Of course, 2021 was still a very promising first season, but it did not end on the note that he would have wanted.

Clearly not one to rest on the laurels of his first season, Archie put in significant work away from the club. On his return, he looked to have put on 2-3kgs since we’d last seen him, and most impressively, built serious aerobic capacity in what seemed like a very short period. As we know, fitness doesn’t appear out of nowhere and it’s likely he carried some level of minor injury and soreness through the latter stages of the season. In any case, the work he put in from September to the start of November was blindingly obvious as he went on to place second in the club’s 2km time trial, behind Will Snelling. Save for Nik Cox (who was sidelined from the 2k with a minor toe injury), for a second-year player, that kind of result is almost unheard of. That fitness base was not something I was personally aware of, and it certainly set him up for a fantastic preseason.

Despite a slight setback through January with a calf complaint, Archie has not missed a beat since then and seems to have recovered his early preseason fitness. The benefits of his hard work from September to December have been no more evident than in our two most recent practice matches, against the Dogs and Saints. Against the Dogs, he was absolutely dominant across half forward and up to the wing, doing everything from ground and inside work to taking pack marks and kicking goals. He backed that up against the Saints with a 17 disposal, 2 goal 1 behind game which really seemed to be much more than the numbers suggest.

Archie has clearly developed game awareness and more importantly, awareness of his own strengths in the context of AFL football. His ability to shrug off a tackler by clearing his hands and swinging his hips also belies his age and experience. I can’t recall the last Don I saw who was capable of those magical x-factor moments, whilst also having genuine, blue collar work ethic about his footy. There is certainly something mercurial in Archie’s game; maybe a touch of young Jim or an element of Mark Mercuri’s class. There’s obviously a long way to go yet, but I’m backing Archie in to soon become one of the leading under 21-year-old players in the competition. From there, and (hopefully) with the benefit of great support around him, the competition is his oyster.

My pick – 15-20 goals for the season, top 10 finish in the BnF.

2.     Kaine Baldwin

Now again, without wanting to pump a kid up too much, Kaine Baldwin is as close to a Tony Lockett/Peter Hudson hybrid as you’ll ever see. Chuck in some Jonathon Brown/Gary Ablett senior/Paul Van der Haar for measure. Although the now 19-year-old (could be 24 by the time I finish this review) is listed at 194cm and 95kg, I can guarantee you that he’s at least 198cm, 100kg and eats bricks for breakfast, just by looking at him.

On a more serious note, originally picked up from Glenelg as an 18-year-old, 194cm, 93kg (yep) rookie at the start of 2021, Kainey had missed the majority of his last two years of football prior to the draft due to consecutive knee injuries. The last proper run he had at it was in the under 16s, when he was the South Australian captain and reportedly, the best key forward at the championships. I have to say his numbers were very, very impressive: how do we all feel about 21.8 disposals, 9.6 marks and 2.8 goals per game? Certainly nothing to be ignored given he played alongside the likes of the 2020 draft’s pick 2, Riley Thilthorpe (as well as, of course, numerous other outstanding young talents).  

Alas, Kingo’s new favourite player was struck by the cruelty of injury, but having been ignored at the 2020 draft, the Dons jumped at the opportunity to pick the pack-crashing forward as a rookie in the pre-season supplemental draft of 2021.

Having kept him on ice for much of 2021 and adopted a long-term strategy as to his management, it appears as though Balders (Boulders?) has broken the shackles. Although he has still been managed appropriately, the kid mountain has attacked his pre-season exactly as though he’s been caged for the past three years. While it’s great to see him moving freely through drills, running unimpeded for the first time in years and clearly loving being back amongst the thick of things, from the (admittedly few) chances I’ve had to watch him in games, Big Bad Bustling Boulders has that competitive, physical edge that is a must for the best key forwards. Also he also has some serious forward craft and knows how to use his body; attributes that can’t be taught easily and will be invaluable to our side moving forward.

What’s more, this kid is the kind of contested key forward who will run all day, constantly present in the right areas (and up the ground when he needs to), absolutely demands the football and has serious work ethic. The most impressive part of his game that I noticed, against the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago, was his ability to draw the football. I’m not sure if this is a product of Kaino having had a full pre-season and finally, the opportunity to properly engage with his teammates, learn the intricacies of each individual player’s styles and our game plan, but I felt that our players really looked for him. I recall Darcy Parish hitting him up on a lead for his first possession that day, and he met the football at pace, with a full chest presented to the ball, as though he belonged – even owned it. Hopefully, just a sign of things to come for the Kaine Train and for us over the next 15 years.

My pick – lock him in for round 1.

3.     Aaron Francis

Longer term listeners will remember ‘goat’ Francis as the original subject of Kingo’s ‘simply must play’ mantra, and I can’t help but wonder how much his confidence (and duly, his game) was affected by our former coach’s ongoing decisions not to select him, despite stellar form in the VFL in 2017 and parts of 2018. It’s been a windy road since Franga was first selected by the club at pick 6 in 2015, and one which has seen him play just 50 games across 6 seasons to date.

This year may well be his last chance, and his attitude towards pre-season ’22 would absolutely suggest that he has adopted a leave nothing behind mentality. Although he looked to have finally settled down back early last year, the continued growth of Jordan Ridley, success of Jayden Laverde, longer-term approach toward James Stewart’s development as our biggest key defender, the prospects of Zach Reid (as well as the recruitment of Jake Kelly) mean Francis has been pushed out of the defence and was returned to a half-forward towards the end of season ’21.

Despite the move, his attitude since November 2021 has been exceptional. Returning to training at the start of November alongside the 1st – 4th year players (and our skipper, Andy McGrath, Jordan Ridley, Darcy Parish, Nick Hind and… Packo alongside him), Francis hit the ground running and has given himself every chance of cementing his position in 2022 and beyond. From there, Franga has been a noticeably more vocal participant at training, often leading drills and directing his teammates with genuine energy.

A criticism of Francis’ game has been that he can sometimes look as though he lacks intensity; most likely a product of being a highly skilled junior, who managed the most difficult tasks that faced others with relative ease. If anything, Francis has presented the exact opposite throughout pre-season ’22. He’s been hitting packs hard, flying for marks fearlessly, running himself into the ground and approaching the contest with real desire.

Many people will tell you that half-forward is the toughest position to play on the ground. However, at 193cm, Francis absolutely has the make for it, and the significant progression in his fitness over the past two years in particular would indicate that he’s up for the challenge. If he can maximise (and continue to improve) that running capacity and run his defender up, down and into the ground, he can be more than a useful link up player for us. Moreover, his kicking can be a real weapon, and although he has previously at times bitten off more than he can chew in defence, I have a feeling that the move forward will be liberating for him and allow him to play with a freedom not afforded to defenders.

The question will be whether he can build confidence at the start of the season and find his niche in what will be a new look forward line of Wright, Jones, Baldwin and Stringer moving through at different stages. Our forwards will collectively have to learn to separate, rather than crowding space (something I’ve noticed in preseason); we don’t need 3 talls flying at the same ball. Don’t expect Frang to be kicking bags from round 1, but off the back of a big preseason, he’s set himself up nicely and I’ll back him in to establish himself as a link up half forward that we dearly need.

My pick – kicks 20-30 goals for the season and earns another two years.

Listen to The Sash ‘Pre Season Wrap’ Podcast

4.     Andrew McGrath

Undoubtedly earmarked as a future captain of the club, the past two seasons have not gone to plan for the 2016 draft’s number 1 pick. Having managed just 14 and 15 games in 2020 (with syndesmosis) and 2021 (PCL) respectively, Pidge has put in significant work on the sidelines and is heading into 2022 with a full preseason under his belt. And like Aaron Francis, I mean a full preseason. McGrath returned to Tullamarine on 10 November, alongside the 1st – 4th year players (it’s Andy’s 6th preseason).

The work he’d done to rebuild his fitness since doing his PCL in July 2021 was evident from the start. Andy finished top 3 in the 2km time trial behind Snelling and Perkins – personal best placings for all three. Taking into account McGrath’s recent injuries and the fact that he is, naturally, a sprinter (running a 10.95 sec 100m sprint, as well as competing in 100m hurdling and high jump at Brighton Grammar), this kind of result is indicative of his exceptional attitude towards training and building the aerobic/anaerobic capacity required of modern day AFL footballers.

Notably, McGrath has been moved to half back in our preseason practice matches. Supporters will recall how successfully he played in defence in his first year, winning the rising star from half back whilst averaging 21 disposals per game. Astoundingly, he showed his defensive proficiency by keeping then-Adelaide forward, Eddie Betts, goalless. The Crows had 62 inside 50s in that game and Betts, 55 goals for the year. Longer term followers of Andy will tell you that none of the aforementioned performances were unexpected; rather, his ability to defend his man and immediately launch an attack had been a hallmark of his game throughout his juniors. With a midfield bolstered by the bullocking inside strength of Caldwell, Parish and Stringer, and the likes of Merrett, Shiel, Langford, Snelling and likely Cox, Perkins and Hobbs all pushing through, moving McGrath to half back makes sense.

Andy’s best assets are his pace, agility, and ability to break the lines out of traffic. His 31 disposals against the Bulldogs in our first practice match was indicative of his ball-winning capabilities across the ground and away from the midfield. Listeners will know that my biggest concern with McGrath through the guts has been his kicking, which from 2020 seemed to be focussed on a ‘slam it forward’ mentality, presumably directed by our coach at the time.

Expect the 2022 version of McGrath to be more confident, much more fit, ready to take the game on and a scary proposition (alongside Hindy) for opposition forwards. It may be that he is eventually targeted with defensive forwards, however the one-two combination of Hind and McGrath from half back will mean we should always have run from defence.  

My pick: 2022 Crichton Medallist.

5.     Jye Caldwell

Another who has not missed a beat this preseason, Caldwell looks fit, hot, tanned, huge, hungry and raring to go. Picked up by the Dons (much to Jason McCartney’s chagrin) in the 2020 trade period, fans have been treated to glimpses of Jye’s best work in the first few months of 2022. It is clear why Adrian Dodoro was so keen to recruit Caldwell, a former pick 11 of the 2018 draft and genuine inside midfielder.

A state boxing champion at 13, Jye Hard’s manic aggression and absolute lack of respect for the health and safety of others have certainly carried through to his football. Unfortunately, the question mark has been, for some time, around Bruce’s (Jye Hard…) fitness. A product of the Bendigo Pioneers in the under-18 championships, he suffered a serious hamstring tear in Vic Country’s first game of the carnival and sat the rest out. On his return to the Pioneers, he suffered another minor strain to his other hamstring and was forced to again sit out, this time missing the draft combine. He managed 11 games in two years with the Giants and managed just two last year with the Dons (again, after pulling a hammy). Makes for slightly grim reading, so I best move on.

Since returning to the club on 10 November, Jye built nicely from then until February. In February, Jyenamite exploded. Similar to Bags Baldwin, Caldwell’s attitude towards his training has been ferocious. However, the best sign of his confidence in both his body and his football ability has been in the contest. As soon as he’s had a chance to play competitively, he’s done so as a man possessed; newly untethered and displaying a tenacity that Tyson would be proud of. His intraclub games were dominant and a tad scary. Onto the Bulldogs, he was prolific and unforgiving, monstering a midfield which many would have in their top 2 league wide. Having showed enough with his 15 disposals to ensure the Cody and Co’s won’t sleep for weeks, Truck pulled him at halftime, with more to lose than gain in the second half and round 1 looming.

Part of Caldwell’s value to the side will be not only his individual game and numbers, but the further bow that he adds to our midfield. It’s easy to forget that as recently as 2020, we were playing our skipper through the guts and the likes of Merrett, Shiel and McGrath were being at times bullied by opposition sides who clearly targeted them physically. The 2022 Essendon midfield will (again) have the brutality of Caldwell, Parish and Stringer, with a number of potential A graders to compliment them in inside/outside roles. Jye’s ability to stay on the park will be huge to our club’s success this year, and we need him out there if we are to build into a top side in the years to come.

My pick: BOG in our first final.

6.     Honourable mentions

Really could have had another handful of players. Ridley, Snelling, Heppell, Hind, Laverde, Draper, Stewart, Shiel (save for a recent minor calf setback) all had huge preseasons. Pipes Parish clearly locked himself in the gym from September to November with Hobbsy. Unlike Hobbsy, who clearly hogs the squat rack, Darce is smart about his gym time and stuck to beach weights. Darce’s ‘every day is bicep day’ mantra allowed him to stack 15kgs of pure muscle on his biceps by his return to training on 10 November. As we all know, aesthetics are everything and Parish started his bulk for this year’s Stereo (bring it back you dogs) very early. Shredding season will come soon, and the coming 6 months of cardio will leave him well placed to honour Zyzz to the fullest. (RIP)

7.     Packo

You idiots didn’t think I wasn’t gonna talk about Packo, did you? Packo’s flying. Don’t ask dumb questions.

The bad

Tippa. Having returned from his late season mental health leave, everyone’s favourite player was noticeably out of shape when he returned to the club in November. Although he looked to have regained some fitness, he tweaked a calf not long thereafter and was restricted to modified duties. As we all know, the club then granted him a leave of absence on 4 February to ‘deal with person matters’.

Tippa is an essential part of our side, and given we seem to be playing a very tall forward line this year, his ability to chase, tackle and be front and centre to the packs will be vital for us. We simply do not have any player like him. Recent indications from the club have been that Tippa is back in full training, however you’d imagine he will be coming from some way back in terms of fitness. It could yet be some months before we see him play in the seniors side, but no doubt he will be playing VFL before then.

Although some are hopeful that Tex Wanganeen might push for a game at some stage, it is more likely that Guelfi, Smith and Perkins will try to cover Tippa’s absence. It is yet to be seen whether Devon can regain his 2018 form and he seems to have lost a yard of pace since knee surgery at the end of that year. Archie’s tackling numbers were not great in the second half of last year as he tried to fill that role. Guelfi could be the answer from a defensive point of view, but hardly has the attacking prowess of our most skilled player in Walla.

I hope we can all get around Tippa as much as possible. He’s a remarkable person and the kind of guy who deserves some luck in his life. It’s clearly a much bigger issue than football, and I’m sure the club is providing all the support it can at this time. However, mental health does not discriminate, and can be an absolute dog of a thing, whether you’re Buddy Franklin, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti or Joe Blow. For his sake as well as our own, I look forward to seeing him back out playing in the red and black, surrounded by mates and loving supporters, in the months to come.

Other bad – media hype about us. Leave us alone.

Post writing this Harrison Jones went down with an ankle injury ruling him out of the first month of the season. A frustrating blow but the door is now well and truly open for the Kaine Train.

The question marks

Have we addressed our glaring deficiencies? It would seem from both practice matches that the answer is not yet. Our transition to defence is still an issue and we were cut open by the pea-hearted puppies in praccy 1. Similarly, our ball movement up forward remains a big problem, and we seem to be caught between a fast-paced, take the game on style from defence, to then frustratingly holding the ball up as we enter our forward line and allowing the opposition defence to get back. Although I understand there is likely a coaching directive to hold the ball up to allow us to set up behind the ball (and address problem 1), there are times when speed simply skills and the ball has to move quicker. I’d like to see us take the game on more in these scenarios and back our talls to beat their men one on one.

Following on from the above, the 30-40m lob kick to the top of the square has to stop. I don’t care how many talls we have in our forward line, if they’re crowded into a 20m space alongside their defenders and another 6 blokes, a clearly forecasted, dinky chip kick is not doing us any favours. The number of times I see us break free before holding the ball up at half forward, only to drop a nothing, 30m chip to a pack of 15 is staggering. The logic behind it is questionable on so many fronts. With no genuine crumber or defensive forward until Walla comes back, the opposition have no issues with spoiling and typically rebound with ease. Please, either lower the eyes and hit up Bags Baldwin at 35m out, give the ball to Packo, or hands off to Red Dog for a 60m drop punt.

But no more set up kicks which only set us up to be rebounded against.

Who will play where? Who knows. I’m hoping McGrath does end up down back for the reasons stated above. I’m picking Merrett’s supposed move to the half back line is smoke and mirrors. Shiel has been training up forward a lot and has spent much of his preseason working on his kicking, so we may see him playing stints across half-forward as well as through the guts. Stewart will stay in defence, and I’m picking him to really nail it this year.

Otherwise, Packo will play more up forward as he regains his fitness and expect to have a midfield with 8-10 blokes running through.

The end

That’s it, spent way too much time on this. Never again.

Thanks for reading Dons fans, listen out for us on the podcast (or don’t, I wouldn’t).

Go Bombers.

Mert