Essendon could be the most prominent story in the 2013 AFL season, and not for the desired reason of successful on-field exploits.
Windy Hill has been engulfed in an epic drug storm since early February, when it emerged that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and the AFL’s integrity unit would investigate the Bombers alleged use of banned substances.
Fitness advisor Dean Robinson has been stood down pending the process, while sports scientist Stephen Dank was sacked by the club mere months prior to the story’s explosion.
The tumultuous events alone are a significant burden to carry into a new campaign, not to mention the pressure on Essendon to improve on-field performances from recent seasons.
James Hird and his troops burst out of the blocks in 2011 and 2012, only to fade badly in the second half on both occasions. Finding season-long consistency will be a major priority in 2013.
Last season, the Bombers won eight of their first nine games and looked to be genuine premiership contenders. However, an unprecedented number of injuries prompted a seven-game losing streak to end the season and ruined their finals ambitions. They finished 11th, with 11 wins and 11 losses.
Fitness and off-field concerns aside, Essendon’s list is certainly capable of finals football. Free-agent acquisition Brendan Goddard is a top quality mature-aged addition to a team that boasts a plethora of players developing towards elite football maturity.
Having such a strong youthful squad is encouraging in terms of longevity, but a distinct lack of experience and proven depth is a concern for current aspirations.
The Bombers lost Mark McVeigh to retirement, Angus Monfries to Port Adelaide and delisted five fringe role players – Henry Slattery, Kyle Reimers, Sam Lonergan, Brent Prismall and Ricky Dyson. With just seven players that are 27 or older, huge responsibility falls on captain Jobe Watson and ageless veteran Dustin Fletcher to provide stability and leadership during one of the most difficult periods in Essendon’s history.
Key Player: Michael Hurley
The 22-year-old Hurley has all the tools to become a dominant front-half presence. He attacks aerial contests with ferocity, is equally adept on either foot and extremely mobile, considering his 97-kg frame.
Moving into his fifth season with 63 games under his belt, consistency is the realistic next step for Hurley. The rapid development of key defender Jake Carlisle should allow Hurley to concentrate solely on forward responsibilities and drastically improve his 2012 tally of 26 goals.
Matthew Lloyd in 2008 was the last Bombers’ player to kick more than 35 goals in a season, which emphasizes their desperate need for a consistent tall-target.
Hurley can be the man.
Circle it on the calendar: round one, Adelaide vs Essendon
It may seem short-sighted, but round one at AAMI Stadium will be a crucial encounter for Essendon.
Playing last season’s preliminary finalists on their own turf is a tough opening test, but the match takes on added value given the Bombers chaotic summer.
The manner of Essendon’s performance more than the result itself should tell an important tale. If they offer a genuine fight, along the same lines as last season’s round 19 clash where Jobe Watson nearly carried his side to a remarkable upset victory, then the Bombers’ faithful would feel reasonably comfortable about their 2013 prospects. By contrast, a flat effort and drubbing could be an indication of a physically and emotionally drained outfit.
Essendon simply have to put their best foot forward and put the negativity of recent months behind them against the Crows.
2013 Prediction: 9th – 11th
It’s hard to know exactly how adversity will effect Essendon. Either the drugs controversy has galvanized the group and strengthened their collective resolve, or the ever-present uncertainty surrounding the investigations has distracted and derailed pre-season preparations.
Hell-bent on reclaiming respect in the football world, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Essendon push almost any side to the limit early in the season. However, as the excitement of a fresh campaign dwindles, it may become a real grind for the Bombers.
Paul Bastin is a third-year Bachelor of Media Studies student at La Trobe University and upstart’s sports editor. You can follow him on Twitter: @PaulBastin10
