In developing this blog, I endeavoured to offer readers content and commentary that extended beyond my own thoughts, opinions and words.
I wanted contributors who could bring a wealth of their knowledge and experiences to the table, and share their insights and narratives to a larger audience.
Guests who could provide a wide range of topics that cover the Essendon Football Club through their own perspective.
Over the last few years, I've had some fantastic interactions with James Youil on X (Twitter)
He has a keen eye and detailed explanation on the current situation of the football team.
For anyone who doesn't currently follow him on the platform, do yourself a favour as his passion, understanding and outlook make him a fantastic source and guide through football.
All the above made him an automatic choice in my eyes to provide a post for the blog.
So I gave him an open invitation to write about anything he saw or thought needed an explanation from his point of view.
Here, he takes a look on how and why he selects his starting 23 for the Bombers for season 2024.
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A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting a Best 23
This outlines the thought process behind selecting a best 23.
It provides a formulaic approach to ensure a balanced team is selected.
While there may be some players you do not agree with, this guide will help you understand the reasoning behind each of my selections, while also providing a template for you to select your own.
It also helps to address a pet peeve of mine which is a lack of understanding of AFL position nomenclature. No longer will you select half-forwards in the forward pocket, or on-ballers on the wing.
Let’s begin!
Defence
Backline:
3rd Man
Full Back
Small Stopper
Halfback line:
Creator
Centre Half Back
General
3rd Man
The third defender behind a key position pairing.
The 3rd man must be able to lock down his direct opponent, while also finding time to drop off and assist fellow defenders in the air. Consequently, this player typically has strong intercepting traits.
Good examples of players like this are Jake Lever, Callum Wilkie, and James Sicily.
Essendon candidates:
• JORDAN RIDLEY —> someone who makes defending look like art. With the additions of McKay and Reid, Ridley slides to his true position as the 3rd defender.
Expect him to become even more dominant as a result.
• Jayden Laverde
• Kaine Baldwin
Full-back
Takes the hulking forwards and locks them down.
The full-back must be good in on-one-one situations where he will find himself on the last line of defence.
Good examples of players like this are Steven May, Jacob Weitering, and Sam Taylor.
Essendon candidates:
• BEN McKAY —> done are the days of an undersized backline after the McKay acquisition. A much-needed big body at full-back.
• Jayden Laverde (undersized)
Small Stopper
Tasked with looking after the opposition’s goal sneak, this player must be disciplined and have quick closing speed to ensure opposition small forwards don’t run riot.
Good examples of players like this are Isaac Quaynor, Connor Idun, and Brandon Starcevich.
Essendon candidates:
• ANDREW McGRATH —> while his disposal leaves much to be desired, he is an elite lockdown small defender and one of the best leaders at the club. Coaches will have confidence that he can lockdown while also providing some rebound.
• Jake Kelly (if used in defence)
Creator
As the quarterback of the team, the creator’s role is to orchestrate offence from the back half. He is either the team’s designated distributor or the runner off the half back line.
Good examples of players like this are Lachie Whitfield, Keidean Coleman, and Adam Saad.
Essendon candidates:
• NIC MARTIN —> trained all preseason at half back and it seems to be a deliberate ploy to the run the ball through him. Allows Nick Hind to move to the forward line where our small forward stocks are thin.
• Nick Hind (if used in defence)
Centre Half-Back
A partner in crime to the full-back, the team’s centre-half back is the more offensive of the two, looking to hover across the halfback line and provide rebound with a strong aerial game.
Good examples of players like this are Harris Andrews, Harry Himmelberg, and Jeremy McGovern.
Essendon candidates:
• ZACH REID —> seems to finally be fit. His selection is going to allow Ridley to take on a more offensive role in the backline.
A beautiful kick for his size, and on paper, looks to form a lovely partnership with McKay.
• Ridley (undersized)
General
Positions himself on the half-back line and commands it.
With a nice mix of offence and defence, the team’s general looks provide rebound while also helping to settle the backline. Covering holes and instructing teammates, the general is often a strong leader.
Good examples of players like this are Tom Stewart, Brayden Maynard, and Dan Houston.
Essendon candidates:
• MASON REDMAN —> a leader of this new look backline. Looking to solidify himself as one of the best half-backs in the competition with another strong year.
• Dyson Heppell
• Nik Cox
Midfield:
Centreline:
Wing
Centre
Wing
Followers:
Ruck
Extractor
Spreader
Wing
Balanced midfielders whose jobs are to provide their team with width on offence, and to fold back and provide support on defence.
Good examples of players like this are Josh Daicos, Errol Gulden, and Ed Langdon.
Essendon candidates:
• XAVIER DUURSMA —> with Martin moving to half-back, a spot has opened on the wing. Duursma looks to be the front-runner for this spot. He will provide size and some much-needed gut-running to the wing position.
• SAM DURHAM —> the player everybody is raving about this preseason.
Seems to have taken his game to another level with increased upper body strength and unrivalled fitness. Should also see increased inside midfield minutes despite taking up a wing spot.
• Jake Kelly
• Elijah Tsatas (if used on the wing)
• Nik Cox (if used on the wing)
Centre
The glue of the midfield. The centre is tasked with providing balance to the midfield, often covering the defensive side of stoppages, laying blocks for teammates, and acting as a winger during defensive transition. They may also be a point of difference player in a midfield full of similar types.
Good examples of players like this are Josh Dunkley, Jack Crisp, and Callum Mills.
Essendon candidates:
• WILL SETTERFIELD —> an ultra-professional player who just gets the job done.
A point-of-difference with his size and defensive intent, Setterfield is a must have in our starting midfield. His willingness to do the dirty work will help Parish and Merrett become better players.
• Jye Caldwell
• Sam Durham (if used on-ball)
Ruck
Takes the ruck contests and tries to put the ball on the platter for his midfielders. Also looks to roll back and plug holes in defence while also drifting forward on occasion to kick a goal.
Good examples of players like this are Max Gawn, Tim English, and Rowan Marshall.
Essendon candidates:
• TODD GOLDSTEIN —> a master of his craft who will compete every week. Goldstein should only improve our stoppage work which has been lacking in seasons gone by.
• Sam Draper (assuming unavailability due to injury)
• Nick Bryan
Extractor (ruck rover)
As the name suggests, this player is the first to read the ball off the ruckman. As first possession winners at stoppages, this player’s number one job is to extract ground balls and contested possessions. He then must possess elite hand balling skills to feed the ball to the outside midfielders.
Good examples of players like this are Tom Green, Lachie Neale, and Tom Liberatore.
Essendon candidates
• DARCY PARISH —> despite his size, make no mistake, Parish is a contested ball and clearance beast. An easy selection at ruck rover in a team that struggles in those very areas.
• Ben Hobbs
Spreader (rover)
Often receiving handballs in tight off the ruck rover, rovers have a good balance of inside and outside midfield craft. These midfielders hurt the opposition on the spread, possessing either elite kicking or explosive burst speed.
Good examples of players like this are Nick Daicos, Christian Petracca, and Marcus Bontempelli.
Essendon candidates:
• ZACH MERRETT —> captain of the club and our best player. Nothing more needs to be said.
• Dylan Shiel (assuming unavailability due to injury)
• Elijah Tsatas
Forward:
Half Forward Line:
Game-Breaker
Centre Half Forward
High Half Forward
Forward Line:
Goal Sneak
Full Forward
2nd Full Forward
Game-Breaker
A front half nightmare, this player floats across half-forward and wreaks havoc. He also pinch hits in centre bounces where his dynamism is at the forefront.
Good example of players like this are Toby Greene, Dustin Martin, and Jordan De Goey.
Essendon candidates:
• JAKE STRINGER —> while his fitness and motivation can be questionable, there is no doubt that Stringer remains our most dynamic and impactful player when in form. Has had a good preseason and is entering a contract year.
Should be a strong contributor.
• Archie Perkins
Centre Half-Forward
Forms part of the one-two punch in the forward line. His main job is to crash packs and provide a marking target down the line. As a result, he should have strong interplay between the arcs.
Good examples of players like this are Charlie Curnow, Jeremy Cameron, and Joe Daniher.
Essendon candidates:
• HARRISON JONES —> Jones edges out Caddy due to experience and a reportedly more consistent preseason. I do expect Caddy, however, to eventually force his way into the team. Seems inevitable.
• Nate Caddy
High Half-Forward
Operating between half forward and the wings, the high half-forward acts as a link between the midfield and the forward line. Often hardworking and pressure players, they work to deliver the ball into the forward line and keep it there.
Good examples of players like this are Gryan Miers, Beau McCreery, and Brent Daniels.
Essendon candidates:
• JADE GRESHAM —> adds some much-needed class and spark to our dour small forward stocks. While not a traditional small forward, he will be bouncing around half-forward and swooping on loose balls. Expect him to rack up goal-assists as the season goes on and his understanding of his teammates improves.
• Matt Guelfi
• Alwyn Davey
Goal Sneak
A traditional small forward whose job is to kick goals and give defenders nightmares. They reside in a forward pocket where they are constantly leading and crumbing off the bigger forwards.
Good examples of players like this are Charlie Cameron, Jamie Elliott, and Tom Papley.
Essendon candidates:
• JYE MENZIE —> does manage to sneak in for a goal or two every week.
Would like to see some more x-factor though as he isn’t somebody who puts fear into opposition defenders. Would consider having Hind replace him if his form doesn’t hold up to start the season.
• Nick Hind (if used forward)
Full-Forward
Anchors the forward line. Always leading, and always bringing the ball to the ground. The full-forward is considered the main goal scoring threat of a team, and consequently, is the main target of forward 50 entries.
Good examples of players like this are Tom Hawkins, Taylor Walker, and Nick Larkey.
Essendon candidates:
• PETER WRIGHT —> stands alone as our only reputable key forward.
Hopefully a return to 2022 form is on the horizon for 2 Metre Peter.
2nd Full-Forward
A lot of variation can exist in this role. They usually play like a full-forward but lack some of the physical attributes of a traditional bookend. For example, it typically sees a mid-sized hybrid forward that’s good in the air and good on the ground. It can, however, also exist as the 3rd key forward in a 3-pronged attack.
Good examples of players like this are Bayley Fritsch, Gary Rohan, and Rory Lobb.
Essendon candidates:
• KYLE LANGFORD —> a revelation in the forward line. Personally, it was a positional change I had been calling out for years. Glad to see it come to fruition. Expect another 45+ goal season from Langers, and perhaps even, an All-Australian call-up.
Interchange
7th Defender
Extra Midfielder
Versatile Forward
Utility
In general, players picked on the bench can be selected in two different ways: the next best player, or a player that complements the on-field mix. Finding the right balance is a challenge for a coach, let alone a fan.
7th Defender
Typically, this player is selected to best suit the matchups of the opposition forward line.
For example, if a team has a mosquito fleet of small forwards, an extra small defender may be selected on the bench that otherwise wouldn’t have gotten a game.
Essendon candidates:
• DYSON HEPPELL —> while this spot will largely be dependent on how we think Hawthorn’s forward setup will look, Heppell is still an invaluable leader of this team. I expect he will be surpassed by some of the younger players as the season goes on, but for round 1, the spot is his.
• Jayden Laverde
• Kaine Baldwin
• Nick Hind
• Nik Cox
Extra Midfielder
This spot can be used for a midfielder that is clearly too good for the VFL but doesn’t start on field. It may also be used for a midfielder who helps with rotations by complementing the balance of the current midfield group.
Essendon candidates:
• JYE CALDWELL —> adds defensive intent to a team that lacks it. Provides added flexibility by being able to rotate through half-forward as well. Since there will be many additional players rotating through our midfield such as Stringer, Durham, and Perkins, Caldwell’s flexibility to play elsewhere gives him the edge over Hobbs and company.
• Ben Hobbs
• Dylan Shiel
• Elijah Tsatas
• Jake Kelly
Versatile Forward
Some teams opt to choose an extra small forward who is an elite pressure forward. It may also be used to select a player that can split his time between both forward and midfield.
Essendon candidates:
• ARCHIE PERKINS —> expecting a breakout year from Perkins. Has all the tools to be a star in this league. Seems to have improved his tank over summer which should allow him to get to more contests, preventing him from fading out of games.
• Matt Guelfi
• Alwyn Davey
Utility
Typically where you’ll find the second ruckman in a team if a coach opts for a two-ruck system. It may also be for a player that provides flexibility with the ability to play in different parts of the ground.
Essendon candidates:
• NICK HIND —> able to play both forward and back. Personally, I would select him to play mainly forward as he can complement Menzie with some zip and x-factor.
• Jake Kelly
• Nick Bryan
• Elijah Tsatas
• Matt Guelfi
• Nik Cox
Substitute
As a substitute, running power is crucial. Being able to effectively cover the ground when everyone around you is fatigued is a real weapon. It allows a sub best-22 player to gain a real advantage, providing them with the best chance to impact a game.
Essendon candidates:
• MATT GUELFI —> a perfect sub in my eyes. Able to play forward, wing, and defence. Quick and agile, and capable of sneaking a goal.
• Elijah Tsatas
• Alwyn Davey
My Round 1 Team
Full Back Line:
Ridley McKay McGrath
Half Back Line:
Martin Reid Redman
Centreline:
Duursma Setterfield Durham
Half Forward Line:
Stringer Jones Gresham
Full Forward Line:
Menzie Wright Langford
Followers:
Goldstein Parish Merrett
Interchange:
Heppell Caldwell Perkins Hind
Substitute:
Guelfi
Unlucky Omissions
• BEN HOBBS —> while these 5 players are all unlucky, the one player that will cause the most conjecture among Dons fans in Ben Hobbs.
While he is undoubtedly a best 22 calibre player, I have prioritised midfield balance over sheer talent. I am sure at some stage, though, he will force his way back into the team and displace a current midfielder. Starts in the VFL for mine.
• Jayden Laverde
• Kaine Baldwin
• Jake Kelly
• Nick Bryan
Note:
This is my opinion of how we should line up.
If I was to give a prediction of how I thought Brad Scott would select the team, these are some of the possible changes I would consider:
• A two-ruck system could be employed where Draper is restricted to mainly forward line minutes or Bryan is given a game.
Jones may be the unlucky player to miss out in a situation like this.
• Durham could be used largely on-ball, leaving Kelly to take the open wing spot.
• Hobbs’s talent trumps that of midfield balance and is forced into the team.
• Laverde replaces Heppell as the 7th defender due to a specific matchup concern.
Final Thoughts
It seems a well-balanced side on paper.
While it lacks firepower up front, it should still be a good enough team to contend for finals.
I expect young players like Baldwin, Cox, Bryan, Hobbs, Tsatas, Caddy, and the Davey twins to ask questions of the selectors throughout the year.
We certainly have much better depth than in years gone by.
Go Bombers!
James Youil (13-year Essendon member)
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