Essendon's 2022 review: The Hope, the Hurt and the Clanger

According to Fox Sports in the preseason, Essendon were deemed to have one of the tougher fixtures in the competition for 2022 along with St Kilda.

Facing three teams who finished top six twice throughout the course of the year was always going to be a hard battle for the young Bombers outfit and the first three rounds showed.

Taking on Geelong, Brisbane and Melbourne in the opening games left Essendon fans scratching their heads as their side got off to a terrible start.

It was Adelaide in round four who went down to the red-and-black in a thrilling contest by four points.

However, they'd lose their next three and sat 1-6 after seven rounds, slightly above North Melbourne and West Coast on the ladder.

Leading to the bye, the Bombers had only two wins in the first half of the season and were generally beaten comfortably with Geelong (66 points), Sydney (58), Fremantle (48), Richmond (32) and Western Bulldogs (32) notable losses.

Playing a defensive and lifeless brand, coach Ben Rutten flipped the script and gave his players more freedom to take the game on.

With the season all but done for the Bombers, players and coaches threw caution to the wind and started taking more risks, helping to open up the ground and the game.

They faced St Kilda in round 14 and managed to dominate the side that started the year 8-3, winning by 35 points and having 15 more scoring shots.

This newfound form translated over the next month of football, which was near perfect from Essendon.

Rutten's men fell to West Coast by 10 points at Optus Stadium, but took scalps Sydney and Brisbane in successive weeks, before knocking off Gold Coast with ease.

Things were starting to look up and ladder predictors had the club still in contention of making finals, if not causing some damage on the way to their extended holiday break.

However, aside from the Kangaroos win in round 20, Essendon were utterly disappointing and ultimately led to Rutten's sacking at the season's end.

The last three weeks saw losses to GWS (27 points), Port Adelaide (84) and Richmond (66).

Michael Hurley made it back for one last game against the Tigers and was applauded for a great career by both teammates and the opposition.

The Hope

Youth

A good thing for the Bombers is that they're relatively young, sitting 14th in the AFL for average age.

They have plenty of stars coming through the ranks now, showing glimpses of their talents.

Ben Hobbs (18 years old), Archie Perkins (20), Nik Cox (20), Sam Durham (21), Nic Martin (21), Harrison Jones (21), Jye Caldwell (21), Jordan Ridley (23), Sam Draper (23), Andrew McGrath (24), Darcy Parish (25) and Peter Wright (25) are just an insight into the talented youngsters they have to build off.

Hobbs has shown he can play at the level comfortably; Caldwell has done some terrific jobs on elite midfielders as a run-with player; Martin was a chance to win the Rising Star; Ridley is quickly becoming an elite intercept defender; Draper continues to grow each game.

Plenty to like for Bombers fans, but they just need them playing in unison.

Money for future

Over the past few years, Essendon has unloaded a few of their stars, including Joe Daniher, Orazio Fantasia and Adam Saad that has helped clear some salary cap space, with the Herald Sun reporting it to be in the vicinity of $1.5 million.

Although it does seem unlikely they could land a ready made key forward or defender, the club has been speculated to make some big moves in the off-season, attempting to lure opposition players to Tullamarine.

With the thought of big games like Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the G plus a handy financial package in the minds of those thinking of moving, it would be a hard proposition to turn away.

The Hurt

Bombers board cut in half

Essendon's troubles on field has taken its toll off field with five of their board members departing shortly after the completion of the season.

Joining CEO Xavier Campbell was Paul Brasher and Simon Madden, while Peter Allen and Sean Wellman consolidated the exodus.

In trying times for the club, stability and structure is what's needed from the president all the way to player number 40 on the list and unfortunately it is not happening.

They are also yet to sign a senior coach ahead of the 2023 season and upcoming trade period, with speculation suggesting the longer they go without a coach, the more trouble they're set for.

Hurley's retirement

Club legend Michael Hurley's retirement was imminent, especially given he's been sidelined with injuries thats kept him to 15 games in three seasons.

However, in somewhat of a fairytale, the 32-year-old managed to field the MCG for one last outing, against enemies Richmond for the last round of the year.

The Tigers went on to spoil the farewell party but fans and footy lovers were left with a lump in the back of their throat.

Hurley was quiet in his return game but managed to kick a goal with two minutes left in the match.

What followed next was an onslaught of Essendon players getting around their leader and friend.

However, something unexpected happened shortly after, with all Richmond players getting around the number 18 from the Bombers.

The Clanger

Ben Rutten's dealings

As part of the drastic changes at Tullamarine, Rutten's sacking was high on list and was bound to happen when the club tried to lure Alastair Clarkson to the red-and-black before the season had ended.

News broke that the 39-year-old wasn't going to make it to round 23, especially after the 84-point Port Adelaide drubbing the week earlier.

However, North Melbourne managed to land Clarkson, leaving a bitter taste in Rutten's mouth, who had now realised was not a part of their future.

Despite handling himself with grace and respect for the club he was contracted to until the end of 2023, the former Crows player was dealt with poorly by the board.

Only at the helm for two years, one of which he made finals, Rutten felt he was unjustly judged on a poor year by the Bombers, but wasn't left disheartened.

“It’s been disappointing. I probably think I deserve better,” Rutten said.

“I love coaching this footy club. I love coaching the players. I’ve got so much belief in the playing group, I’ve got so much belief in my staff and the people that are supporting me."

Port Adelaide loss

Essendon's on-field woes were disappointing to say the least, but nothing was worse than their round 22 clash with the Power at Marvel Stadium.

With two games remaining, the Bombers wanted to leave 2022 with some form and positivity after a bleak season.

However, in a game that opened with eight goals in the first quarter (Essendon trailed by eight points), the game always seemed to be leaning Port Adelaide's way and eventually broke open.

In what put the nails in Rutten's coffin as the Essendon coach, 18 goals to six after quarter time to the Power in a dominating display.

The 84-point loss was there worst of the season and left supporters with little optimism heading into the pre-season.

What do Essendon need?

It is no shock that Essendon's needs are in the key position department, with the forward and backline looking bleak at times throughout 2022.

Peter Wright kicked 53 goals for the season with limited entries and would thrive if he had more assistance.

The club was ranked 13th in Points For (1737) and would benefit from another genuine goal kicker.

On the other end of the ground is another problem area for the Bombers, with the side lacking key defenders as Jayden Laverde, Jake Kelly and Jordan Ridley playing above their grade.

Essendon was the third worst team for Points Against (2087) and were easily scored on throughout the year.

Opposition sides scored 100+ points on seven occasions, with another six scoring above 90.

Ross Lyon is currently available as a potential coach for 2023 and beyond.

Lyon's defensive mindset and strategies have held up in the past for Fremantle and St Kilda and will suit Essendon's current list.

The club is in dire need of help defensively and the 55-year-old could be a perfect match.

Players linked to the club

Josh Dunkley is one the Bombers would like to acquire in the off-season. 

Dunkley requested a trade to Tullamarine at the end of 2020 but remained at the Bulldogs and looks like being on the move again.

Toby Bedford's name keeps getting thrown around as a potential target for clubs in need of a small forward, with Essendon a potential suitor.

Connor McKenna looks likely to return to Australia and play AFL, with clubs interest in landing the ex-Bomber.

Gold Coast's Ben King is a name that keeps bobbing up across the desks of list managers despite his contract to the Suns.

Essendon are in need of another key forward and could throw the kitchen sink at King, who's from Victoria.

Liam Jones is another one who met with Adrian Dodoro earlier in the year as the prospect of him returning to the competition is likely.

2022 out-of-contract players

Retirees and Delistings