The big wins

The roar when the Bombers entered the field for that round one match against Hawthorn still sends shivers up the spine. The scarves were waving and such was the intensity of the cheer as Essendon entered the field, Captain Dyson Heppell just had to smile at teammate Zach Merrett. That the side went on to win the game only added to the magic of the night.

Collingwood had won six of the last seven ANZAC Day matches heading into this season’s instalment. The Bombers kicked four goals to one in the opening quarter, but the game was in the balance when Collingwood hit the front in the third quarter. Essendon responded with seven of the last ten goals to record an 18-point win in front of 87,685 people. Joe Daniher was named best on ground.

The key forward was also named best on ground against Geelong in the Country Game. The wins against the Cats, West Coast, Port Adelaide and St Kilda were Essendon’s most impressive of the season. 

The forward line

Essendon was ranked 18^th for attack in 2016 and 15^th the year before, but a new look forward mix saw the Bombers become one of the most potent teams in the competition. The Dons averaged the third highest goals per match in 2017, behind only Adelaide and Port Adelaide and level with Geelong.

All Australian forward Joe Daniher (65 goals), Cale Hooker (41) and Orazio Fantasia (39) were among the top 21 goal kickers in the competition. Even in Club’s all-conquering 2000 season, the side boasted only two players (Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas) in the top 21.

James Stewart, Josh Green and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti were added to the forward mix with all players able to make significant contributions throughout the year.

Stewart kicked 22 goals including four in Hooker’s absence when the Bombers needed to beat Fremantle to qualify for the finals. McDonald-Tipungwuti made a smooth transition from defence and ended the season with 34 goals, while a foot injury ended Green’s season early after the former Lion had booted 17 goals from his 17 games.

First year player Josh Begley came into the side late in the season, but showed enough in his three games (including two goals in the final against Sydney) to suggest he’ll be a regular feature in the years to come.

Andrew McGrath

The number one draft pick joined elite company when he became just the second Essendon player to win the AFL’s Rising Star award. 

McGrath polled 51 votes to finish ahead of Ryan Burton (41 votes), Sam Powell-Pepper (35 votes), Charlie Curnow (27 votes) and Eric Hipwood (six votes).

The former Brighton Grammar and Sandringham Dragons player spent the majority of his first season in the game in defence, though he did move onto the wing late in the season.

McGrath's averaged 20 possessions per game, four marks and three tackles but it was his composure that stood out.

McGrath’s list of opponents throughout the season included Eddie Betts, Jamie Elliott, Dayne Zorko, Luke Breust, Cyril Rioli, Steven Motlop and Robbie Gray.

He kept Betts goalless for only the second time in the Adelaide star’s previous 33 games, while also collecting 25 possessions himself.

Returning players

The first thing that stands out about the returning players is that each of them was basically able to get through the season unscathed in terms of missing significant time through injury, which is no mean feat given their unique build up.

Michael Hurley was the standout and was rewarded with selection in the All Australian side for the second time. He averaged career highs in disposals (26.6 per game), marks (7.7) and rebounds from the defensive 50 (6.9) across his 21 games.

Dyson Heppell played every match and averaged 26.3 disposals. He's only bettered that rate in one previous season. Travis Colyer (22 games) and Jobe Watson (20 games) were also there most weeks.

Cale Hooker kicked 41 goals and averaged the second most contested marks per game in the competition, while Tom Bellchambers claimed the number one ruck spot and provided grunt around the ground.

David Myers had a slightly delayed start because of a finger injury, but returned to the midfield and played his 100^th game against the Swans.

Ben Howlett, Brent Stanton and Heath Hocking spent most of the season in the VFL where they were lauded for their leadership.

Jobe Watson's Essendon career came to an end after 220 games.

Champions say goodbye

Jobe Watson, James Kelly, Brent Stanton and Heath Hocking played their last season's with Essendon in 2017.

All have made a significant contribution to the Club.

Watson said he's always felt loved by the Club and its supporters, while Kelly said the Club had reignited his love of the game and is set to pursue a coaching career.

Stanton said he enjoyed his time mentoring the younger players in the VFL this season and leaves with plenty of fond memories.

Watson was chaired off following the win over Fremantle.  He and Kelly also led the team off against the Swans.  It's also important to note, Hocking - the first of the returning players to restate their commitment to the Club last year - booted two goals in that win over the Dockers that sealed a spot in the finals.

Star power

The Bombers ended the season with three players named in the All Australian side (Joe Daniher, Zach Merrett and Michael Hurley). When you add that trio to the established Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis and Cale Hooker and the emerging Andrew McGrath, Orazio Fantasia, Darcy Parish, Conor McKenna, James Stewart and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti – the Bombers have established a nucleus around which to build their next finals push.

The x-factor

The impact of the fans will be one of the legacies from the 2017 season. There was the roar in that round one game against Hawthorn and the roar against the Swans in that final when the team ran out and Joe Daniher took that screamer in the first quarter.  They were moments to remember.

Essendon posted record membership in 2017 and also had the second highest home game attendance rates in the competition (50,812). Richmond topped that category but also played ten of its home games at the MCG. The Dons had four home games at the MCG, but the Club has indicated it may look to add an extra MCG home game in the coming seasons.