2023: 11 Wins
2024: 11.5 Wins

2023: 50.4 Inside 50s, Ranked 15th
2024: 55.9 Inside 50s, Ranked 4th

2023: 55.8 Inside 50s Against, Ranked 15th
2024: 49.8 Inside 50s Against, Ranked 6th

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#DonTheStat | #GoDons 2023: -5.4 Inside 50 Differential, Ranked 16th
2024: +6.1 Inside 50 Differential, Ranked 4th

2023: 66.8 Intercepts, Ranked 13th
2024: 68.0 Intercepts, Ranked 6th

2023: -1.2 Intercept Differential, Ranked 15th
2024: +1.8 Intercept Differential, Ranked 7th

I preface all of what I'm about to say with an acknowledgement that we have a long way to go and I'm looking at small datasets.

After our loss to Port, I think most Dons fans wondered whether it was a blip or a return to normal.

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#DonTheStat | #GoDons Early indicators are that it was a timely lesson on some areas that needed a tidy up and what happens when you don't give maximum effort.

I've had a look at what has changed pre and post the Port loss. The other caveat here is we played Sydney in the first 3 rounds, who sit...

Round 1 ✅

Time for a dive into the replay.

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#DonTheStat | #GoDons A couple of small things at the first CB.

Worpel is Merrett conscious, that works for us. Zach is happy to sit outside the first layer of the contest, Worpel and Newcombe are the Hawks two best ball winners, Setterfield keeps Newcombe from the drop of the ball. Durham...

With Vigo Visentini joining the Essendon Rookie List, Essendon has a full list of 38 Primary Listed players and 4 Rookie Listed players.

We have 2 Category B spots if we go that way, but let's look at our List depth as it stands.

#DonTheStat | #GoDons This isn't an exercise in quality or AFL readiness.
Green equals primary position/role.
Yellow equals secondary/tertiary position/role.
Age in brackets is as at Jan 1, 2024.

Rule of thumb is there has to be some level of exposed form in a role at Training, AFL, VFL, U18 level.

Moneyball gets thrown around a lot in AFL circles these days. Rarely is it properly understood, with the focus on ‘money’ rather than ‘ball’.

I first read Michael Lewis’ book when it was thrown on my desk whilst I was working at Essendon. At the heart of Bill James’ theory (a stats and data nerd that probably got picked last at school), was that the game was obsessed with outdated measurements.

His theory was that if you got players on base more often, you’d score more…

Score Involvement

Definition: The number of scoring chains where a player was involved with a disposal, hitout-to-advantage, kick-in, knock-on.

Ultimately, it's a guide on the ability of a player to influence the scoreboard. Particularly midfielders.

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#GoDons | #DonTheStat Essendon has two midfielders in the Top 20 (mids only) for Average Score Involvements per game in 2023.

Darcy Parish - 6.9 per game. Equal 8th ranked midfielder.

Zach Merrett - 6.6 per game. Equal 17th ranked midfielder.

Been thinking a lot about 'Goal Kicking Mids' lately (I'm weird that way), Archie Perkins is the one that is really developing his game to be one of those genuine 50/50 or thereabouts players.

#DonTheStat | #GoDons

🧵 1/2 his time as a midfielder, the other 1/2 having an impact in the fwd line.

My theory was that there aren't a lot of goal kicking mids anymore. Not pure Centre Bounce mids at least. Goal kicking mids are predominately kicking goals when they're playing forward...

Paying for my sins. #DonTheStat replay time.

Shout out to @JamesLowrie24 who had to endure my blow-by-blow analysis yesterday.

Time for a deeper look at what the hell happened.

#GoDons Tough first lesson for Tsatas. Hazard a guess he hasn't set up as a half-forward at too many kick-ins though. Jayden Hunt isn't one you want to give that much space.

This is how teams go end-to-end on us so easily. One player out of position.