Essendon BombersNews Display Mode
Compact
Expanded
Jake Kelly
Signs with Essendon
Kelly the AFL's official site a contract with Essendon as an unrestricted free agent Friday.
ANALYSIS
Kelly averaged 15.5 disposals, 5.1 marks and 2.1 tackles across 20 matches with Adelaide in 2021, but he'll move on to bolster Essendon's defensive line in 2022.
Kelly averaged 15.5 disposals, 5.1 marks and 2.1 tackles across 20 matches with Adelaide in 2021, but he'll move on to bolster Essendon's defensive line in 2022.
Zach Merrett
31 disposals, 12 clangers in defeat
Merrett registered 31 disposals, 12 clangers, nine tackles, four clearances, three marks and a single behind Sunday as Essendon fell to Western 85-36 in an elimination final at UTAS Stadium.
ANALYSIS
Merrett closed out Sunday's contest one of only two Bombers with 30+ disposals and having set a game-high for clangers. A season-best nine tackles also topped all players in the loss. Mettett wraps his 2021 campaign having averaged 31.5 disposals, 4.9 tackles, 4.2 marks and 3.2 clearances across 23 appearances and currently ranked the AFL's No. 8 in total fantasy score (2541 points).
Merrett closed out Sunday's contest one of only two Bombers with 30+ disposals and having set a game-high for clangers. A season-best nine tackles also topped all players in the loss. Mettett wraps his 2021 campaign having averaged 31.5 disposals, 4.9 tackles, 4.2 marks and 3.2 clearances across 23 appearances and currently ranked the AFL's No. 8 in total fantasy score (2541 points).
Sam Draper
44 hitouts, 18 disposals v. Western
Draper machined 18 disposals, five clearances and marks each, four tackles and two behinds to go along with 44 total hitouts Sunday as Essendon fell to Western 85-36 in an elimination final at UTAS Stadium.
ANALYSIS
Draper fashioned his best performance of the year on Sunday, notching personal-bests in each of the following categories: kicks (12), handballs (6), disposals, hitouts, inside 50s (5) and rebound 50s (5). That saw the 22 year-old ruck top 100 fantasy points for the first time in his career and finds him closing out 2021 currently ranked the AFL's No. 13 for hitouts per game (24.23).
Draper fashioned his best performance of the year on Sunday, notching personal-bests in each of the following categories: kicks (12), handballs (6), disposals, hitouts, inside 50s (5) and rebound 50s (5). That saw the 22 year-old ruck top 100 fantasy points for the first time in his career and finds him closing out 2021 currently ranked the AFL's No. 13 for hitouts per game (24.23).
Darcy Parish
Strong stats in loss to Western
Parish produced 35 disposals, 11 clearances, four tackles, three marks and a single goal, goal assist and behind each Sunday as Essendon fell to Western 85-36 in an elimination final at UTAS Stadium.
ANALYSIS
Parish tied Western's Thomas Liberatore as the match leader in disposals, topped all players with a game-high 11 clearances and collected his first goal in five appearances and goal assist of the year in Sunday's contest. Parrish closes out his 2021 campaign having averaged 30.5 disposals, 4.2 marks and 3.9 tackles across 23 showings and currently ranked first in the AFL for total centre clearances (87) and second in combined score involvements (175).
Parish tied Western's Thomas Liberatore as the match leader in disposals, topped all players with a game-high 11 clearances and collected his first goal in five appearances and goal assist of the year in Sunday's contest. Parrish closes out his 2021 campaign having averaged 30.5 disposals, 4.2 marks and 3.9 tackles across 23 showings and currently ranked first in the AFL for total centre clearances (87) and second in combined score involvements (175).
Harrison Jones
Out for season
Jones (foot) is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his foot.
ANALYSIS
Jones is expected to return by the time pre-season begins following this operation.
Jones is expected to return by the time pre-season begins following this operation.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Back in contention
McDonald-Tipungwuti played in Sunday's scratch match against GWS and is available for selection in the elimination final against the Western Bulldogs.
ANALYSIS
McDonald-Tipungwuti only played once in August due to fitness and form concerns but could get his chance to play in an important return to the finals for the Bombers. With 33 goals in 19 games, McDonald-Tipungwuti has some potential if he puts out his best game against the Bulldogs.
McDonald-Tipungwuti only played once in August due to fitness and form concerns but could get his chance to play in an important return to the finals for the Bombers. With 33 goals in 19 games, McDonald-Tipungwuti has some potential if he puts out his best game against the Bulldogs.
Cale Hooker
Available for selection
Hooker will be available for selection in the elimination final against the Western Bulldogs after appearing in a scratch match.
ANALYSIS
Hooker hasn't played since July and though he's set to retire after the season, still has a little more life left in his footy game, should he get selected for Sunday's contest.
Hooker hasn't played since July and though he's set to retire after the season, still has a little more life left in his footy game, should he get selected for Sunday's contest.
Kyle Langford
Listed as test
Langford (hamstring) is listed as a test for the opening finals match against the Western Bulldogs, according to Callum Twomey of AFL.com.
ANALYSIS
Langford hasn't played since Round 20 and will hope to return but nothing is guaranteed yet. With Jye Caldwell more likely to play, there's plenty of options for the Bombers if Langford is unavailable.
Langford hasn't played since Round 20 and will hope to return but nothing is guaranteed yet. With Jye Caldwell more likely to play, there's plenty of options for the Bombers if Langford is unavailable.
Jye Caldwell
Plays in scratch match
Caldwell (hamstring played in a scratch match on Sunday and will now be available for Sunday's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs.
ANALYSIS
Caldwell hasn't played since Round 2 due to a long-term hamstring injury but returns just in time for the opening game of the finals. With a 22-disposal and nine-mark effort in Round 1, Caldwell certainly has potential to be a high-value pickup if he's fully fit.
Caldwell hasn't played since Round 2 due to a long-term hamstring injury but returns just in time for the opening game of the finals. With a 22-disposal and nine-mark effort in Round 1, Caldwell certainly has potential to be a high-value pickup if he's fully fit.
Peter Wright
Scores four in win
Wright scored four goals and made eight marks during Sunday's 102-64 win over Collingwood in Round 23.
ANALYSIS
Wright has put up some massive games over the last few weeks of the season with at least three goals and as many as seven scored in three of his last five matches. While Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti isn't in the lineup, keep an eye out for what else Wright can do in the finals.
Wright has put up some massive games over the last few weeks of the season with at least three goals and as many as seven scored in three of his last five matches. While Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti isn't in the lineup, keep an eye out for what else Wright can do in the finals.