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THE YEAR THAT WAS

2011 snapshot

Final ladder position: 8th
Leading goalkicker: Stewart Crameri (34.22)
Leading possession getter: Brent Stanton (521)
Full season results →

End of season report

Essendon focused on improvement and development in 2011 and delivered on that aim. Despite the disappointing elimination final loss to Carlton, Hird's first season in charge as coach proved the future at the club is bright.
Full report →

Stats leaders

Most kicks: Brent Stanton (343)
Most handballs: Dyson Heppell (231)
Most marks: Dyson Heppell (132)
Most hit-outs: Paddy Ryder (329)
All 2011 stats →

NAB AFL Rising Star nominees

Rd 1: Dyson Heppell (winner) Interview & highlights →

Games that shaped the season

Rd 1: Essendon 16.17 (113) d Western Bulldogs 8.10 (58)
After an excellent pre-season campaign which saw it make the NAB Cup Grand Final, Essendon began its season with a dominant 55-point win over the Western Bulldogs. The Bombers looked fitter, stronger and more skilful than previous seasons in the win, with Dyson Heppell playing the first of many impressive games in his debut AFL season.

Rd 6: Essendon 31.11 (197) d Gold Coast 8.10 (58)
Essendon's first-quarter rout of the Gold Coast rewrote the record books. James Hird's side led by 93 points at quarter-time - the highest margin by the first change and the highest score - and finished winning by 139 points. Half-forward Kyle Reimers kicked eight goals, and captain Jobe Watson had 35 disposals and kicked one goal.

Rd 11: Essendon 10.8 (68) def by Melbourne 15.11 (101)
Perhaps Essendon's worst loss of the season. A week after Melbourne was accused of playing 'bruise-free footy' by Carlton's Mitch Robinson, the Demons came out firing and won by 33 points. It was the Bombers' third loss in a mid-season stretch of five defeats which almost derailed the club's finals aspirations.

Rd 15: Essendon 18.7 (115) def Geelong 16.15 (111)
Essendon broke its five-game losing streak against Geelong in the upset of the season. At the time, Geelong was yet to lose a game, and Essendon was missing Watson with a hamstring injury and entered the game rank outsiders. But, thanks to an even spread of goalkickers and some clever tactics, the Bombers won by four points in one of the games of the year.

Rd 17: Adelaide 10.13 (73) def by Essendon 12.12 (84)
Essendon had only won two of its past 16 games at AAMI Stadium, and looked like extending that poor run against the Crows in round 17. They trailed by 36 points at half-time, but, thanks mainly to Angus Monfries and David Zaharakis, the Bombers rose to an inspirational 11-point victory away from home.

Full match replays →

2010

PROJECT 2012

2010 NAB AFL Draft picks

List assessment

The Bombers' key stocks at both ends of the ground are strong, despite 36-year-old Dustin Fletcher nearing the end of brilliant career. Its focuses should be firmly on small players in attack and defence. With Leroy Jetta moving into the midfield, and Alwyn Davey's inconsistency, the Bombers could do with a clever, roving goalkicking forward. In defence too, Essendon has struggled against pacy, small forwards, particularly Eddie Betts, who kicked eight goals against the Bombers in round 18. Despite the improvement in Jake Melksham, David Zaharakis and Ben Howlett, another outside, classy midfielder would also go close to completing the Bombers' on-ball brigade. 

Retirements & delistings

Darcy Daniher (ret.)
Mark Williams (ret.)

** - rookie-listed

Next big thing

For the Bombers, there's a few candidates, particularly in Heppell, Zaharakis and Jake Carlisle. But Michael Hurley is Essendon's star of the future, a genuine game-changing player who can play at either end. He has a presence in the air, on the ground and around goals, and attracts the ball.
Michael Hurley profile →

2011 Debutants Games Goals Avg. DT
Dyson Heppell
 23 3 83.6
Michael Ross
 2 0 30.5
Alex Browne 2 0 16.5

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