The de-listing of Darren Walsh didn’t come as a major surprise to most Essendon fans, many of whom felt he didn’t make the most of his opportunities. Some fans said his bout of glandular fever during the pre-season was a setback he struggled to overcome; others felt he didn’t do enough for the Bendigo Bombers to justify his place on the list.

2004

Games – 0
Goals - 0
Kicks - 0
Marks - 0
Handballs - 0

2004 Fan’s ranking: 2.65 / 10

2003

Games -2
Goals - 0
Kicks - 7
Marks - 4
Handballs - 6

2003 Fan's Rating: 4.09 / 10

""Poor year for Darren. Did not manage to get a single game this year and could not step up to his best even after making a full recovery from glandular fever. No doubt Darren could be a great player but 2004 had simply been a disappointment and his delisting is a testament to his performance. Tough luck Darren,"" Douglas Tan.

""The sickness at the start of the year didn’t help. Hopefully he can get a place at another club. I guess it was a ‘Right Place - wrong time’ scenario,"" Dom Massarotti.

""Very hard done by being delisted. Showed a lot in his few outings in 2003 and understandably glandular fever slowed him down in O4, did not appear to get the opportunities that others were offered this season. 10 minutes in the wizard cup is not an 'opportunity',"" Ben Licht.

""Although his injury woes with glandular fever played a large part in his absence from the senior team, he was rightly delisted and hopefully will develop his body a bit more in future, whether or not he is picked up by another club down the track,"" Sonia Salera.

""After showing some promise in 2003, he disappointed in 2004. Did not seem to be able to apply his speed and skill with the Bendigo Bombers. Should probably be demoted to the rookie list,"" John Harink.

""No opportunities, no luck, let's hope he creates some chances for himself in 2005. Has pace which is what the Bombers need some more of, so if everything lines up well for him he may get an opportunity somewhere. Needs to bulk up now that his illness is behind him,"" Rene Wijnen.

""Just can't seem to crack into senior ranks and really does not show enough in the VFL to suggest he is worth keeping on the list. Has good speed but just cannot get enough of the ball. His footy smarts is well below par and I believe this will hold him back throughout his career,"" Erin Erin.

""Very poor season. Didn't do anything to come under notice for a senior spot when players were out injured. Would need to improve 100% or be delisted in 2005,"" Karole Prince.