Friday February 6th

It’s getting warm.

Another Friday morning match simulation in ideal conditions as Essendon’s 2026 build continues to ramp up, now just two weeks out from its first unofficial practice match against Richmond.

The past few simulations have been particularly insightful, offering clearer signs around likely starting roles, positional combinations across the ground, and of course, who’s in flying form.

What follows are my observations from the 60 minute hit-out.

On the track.

After completing the warm-up and kicking drills with the group, Jordan Ridley moved to the second oval to continue his running program.

There were no visible restrictions in his movement to suggest he couldn’t take part in match simulation, with caution still the most likely reason behind his managed workload.

Harrison Jones had completed all running drills post-Christmas before watching from the boundary last week. This time, he was back on track, both literally and figuratively.

Archie Perkins doesn’t appear far away from joining in. His intensity has lifted each session, and he looks completely unrestricted while sprinting laps of the ground.

ACL pair Nick Bryan and Tom Edwards stretched out fully during the high-intensity running and kicking warm-up before stepping aside alongside Ridley, Perkins and Jones.

Joining them was Will Setterfield, who began his preseason later than almost anyone, yet now looks far more advanced than his start date would suggest.

Each week Sullivan Robey has increased his pace, and today he took another step forward, running alongside Cillian Bourke, now striding out far more comfortably, with Hussein El Achkar joining them on a modified program after starring in recent match simulations.

Setbacks.

Jye Caldwell played last Friday’s 45-minute sim with his right knee heavily bandaged, the first time I’d seen it strapped during the preseason.

A week on, that support was again noticeable, but it appeared to have no impact on his run-throughs, frequently testing it out in front of the large gathering on the wing.

Since the group returned after the new year, Lewis Hayes hadn’t been sighted until this week. Prior to the Christmas break, he trained alongside Bryan and Edwards, but at this stage looks well behind the other two in his recovery.

📸 Photo by The Caddy Shack @CharlieDons on X. Used with permission.

Matchups.

There were some fun and games with who stood who during match sim, as multiple players swapped teams at every interval, trialling different combinations to see who connected best and giving the coaches more to digest.

Oof.

Archie Roberts, for mine, polled maximum votes today, building on his impact at the source last week and taking it to another level.

His clean, one-touch pickup of the hardball stood out, matched only by Sam Durham and, at times, Elijah Tsatas.

📸 Photo by The Caddy Shack @CharlieDons on X. Used with permission.

While there was little between the trio in winning the dirty ball, it was once the game opened up in transition that Roberts and Durham really separated themselves.

Roberts’ ability to follow up post-contest created repeated overlap run for Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett. When there was no immediate option to feed, he backed himself to run and carry, assessing what lay ahead before either going longer over the defensive layers to forwards out the back or lowering his eyes to teammates in space.

📸 Photo by The Caddy Shack @CharlieDons on X. Used with permission.

Ball in hand, it was pleasing to watch. Just as impressive was his defensive work, halting easy exits through pressure or sticking tackles that either kept the ball in the area or earned him free kicks he fully deserved.

My confidence that midfield is his long-term position continues to grow. While this remains a small sample and tougher challenges will come, his temperament suggests he’s up for what’s ahead.

Take note.

Given time and space, Durham instinctively takes what’s in front of him, using his aggression to carry the ball (something Tsatas and others could emulate more often) before going long by foot. It’s this quick and immediate territory gain that has defenders immediately scrambling for positioning against their opponent.

Newly appointed captain Andrew McGrath continued to balance lockdown and attack, quickly switching modes as required, either relocating his opponent or demanding a handball receive to generate run. Jayden Nguyen is clearly absorbing these lessons.

The second-year NGA product shows no hesitation in coming off his direct matchup to cut off leading lanes from bigger opponents, while also providing rebound options through handball receives or spreading into space as a short outlet. From there, it’s handlebars down.

Brayden Fiorini’s smarts, honed through experience, are evident every time you watch him.

Where others feel rushed in traffic, he shows the composure to look beyond the immediate contest to options on the outside. The result is instant release of pressure, opening the game up and allowing him to follow up down the line. That work is reflected in the way he presents as an option inside 50, and importantly, he made it count.

Rising up.

Once Archer May plants his feet, good luck to any defender trying to shift him off the line of the incoming ball.

I said it last week: if any first-choice forward isn’t in form, May will be there to hold them accountable.

His ability to present down the line, get hands to the ball in the air, and, if not mark it, keep his feet to follow up at ground level brings others into the game.

Rhys Unwin has quietly gone about his development over the past three months, and today he got the rewards he deserved.

📸 Photo by The Caddy Shack @CharlieDons on X. Used with permission.

His positioning between the arcs made him an unmissable option as an important connection piece in ball movement from the back half.

The high half-forward role remains up for grabs, with Archer Day-Wicks showing promising moments in recent weeks. If Unwin can maintain today’s output, he adds further pressure to more experienced players who, in my view, are yet to fully claim the role.

While I’ve praised Saad El Hawli for how he’s attacked this preseason — improving his fitness and learning a new role as a defensive rebounder — his main limitation has been execution, largely tied to decision-making.

Today, however, he should gain a huge confidence boost.

Not only did he hit his options consistently, but he also chose the most dangerous ones. If he does this more consistently, he can put his hand up sooner rather than later.

Just quickly.

Jade Gresham appears to have woken up across the past couple of sims, finding more of the ball further up the ground.

Peter Wright’s hands are still sticky, taking the ball cleanly out in front, while Ben McKay has improved his positioning against him with the incoming high ball.

Liam McMahon continues to cash in when given an inch, showing forward craft on the lead and making it count with his accuracy.

*Once again, big shout-out, appreciation, and credit to Charlie (Caddy Shack @CharlieDons on X) for his photos.

For more pics from today and past training, Charlie can be found on X here:

https://x.com/charliedons?s=21&t=L4mpm7shJJYGHL-jgpWWBw