Essendon has only won one game this year but it has had some wins in the players it has discovered and developed in trying situations. That comes through in the numbers, with half-back revelation Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti ranked No.8 in the AFL for running bounces and key defender Michael Hartley in the top 40 in the competition for intercept marks. The club’s struggles in attack are obvious, however, in the fact Zach Merrett, who has the highest average scoring chain involvements for the Bombers, ranks at a lowly 152 in the league. 

Metres gained
David Zaharakis (388.4 – No.51 in the AFL), Zach Merrett (387.2 – No.52), Brendon Goddard (358.9 – No.76)

Score assists
Craig Bird (1 – No.110), David Zaharakis (0.9 – No.136), Orazio Fantasia (0.9 – No.141)

Scoring chain involvements
Zach Merrett (5.2 – No.159), Brendon Goddard (5 – No.173), Joe Daniher (5 – No.173)

Running bounces
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (1.6 – No.8), David Zaharakis (0.7 – No.51), Brendon Goddard (0.5 – No.86)

Spoils
Michael Hartley (7.7 – No.7), Patrick Ambrose (3.9 – No.45), James Gwilt (3.5 – No.59)

Intercept marks
Michael Hartley (1.8 – No.40), Courtenay Dempsey (1.7 – No.44), Martin Gleeson (1.5 – No.50)

Effective kicks inside 50
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (63 per cent – No.20), Darcy Parish (59 per cent – No.43), Kyle Langford (56 per cent – No.60)

Player Ratings points
Brendon Goddard (12.2 – No.101), Zach Merrett (12 – No.104), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (11.6 – No.118)

Standout game
Joe Daniher played a career-best game against Melbourne in round two when Essendon snatched a surprise win – their only victory of the season. The key forward kicked two goals but had 12 score involvements across the day.