Essendon SuperCoach Outlook 2026

Essendon 2025 SC Scoring: 

For 

SC points for = 1569 (16th)

Average 100s scored = 3.4 

Average 120s scored = 1.2

Against 

SC points against = 1731 (3rd easiest)

Average 100s conceded = 5.3

Average 120s conceded = 2.1

Who dominated the 2025 CBAs - 

Todd Goldstein 79%

Will Setterfield 75%

Jye Caldwell 65%

Zach Merrett 63%

• Essendon’s CBA’s were all over the shop in 2025 given their significant injuries to both ruckmen and various first choice mids.

• Goldy called time on his magnificent career, Sam Draper departed and the new strength and conditioning team should see significant changes in 2026 to the CBA mix.

• Nick Bryan will be first choice ruck but might miss a couple of weeks early, recovering from a knee, so watch out for team news as to first choice ruck between Blakiston and Visentini.

• Parish and Caldwell seem the two most logical centre pieces to the midfield but both have horrible injury histories now and are hard to rely on.

• It will be interesting to see if Zach Merrett continues to be used at HF and HB at times, and Sam Durham as a burst mid spending some time forward. 

• Essendon also drafted 3 versatile mids that could see some CBAs throughout 2026, especially Dyson Sharp who could be ready to go through the midfield early.

Kick ins - 2025 

Mason Redman 39%

Jordan Ridley 11%

Jaxon Prior 10%

• Again injuries make 2025 numbers hard to trust.

• I would guess the kick ins are shared between Redman, Reid, Ridley and McGrath in 2026. That there are multiple options make selecting any Essendon Defender problematic, all can score well, but I doubt any are consistent 105 guys because of the many mouths to feed back there.

• Play on percentages for all were 86% plus so that is a good sign for whoever does take the kick ins.

2026 Fixture:

Play twice :

Brisbane (2nd), Hawthorn (4th), GWS (5th), Melb (12th), North Melb (14th) , Port Adelaide (15th)

*Rankings are based on avg points against in 2025

• Essendon have a tough fixture, given they finished where they did and from a SC perspective this probably is more relevant to target the double up opponents than the Bombers fixture itself.

Byes

Round 15

• The bye is good though with a late bye in round 15 shared with Brisbane, Sydney and West Coast

Projected Top Scorer from each line:

Zach Reid Def $431,800 

• Zach showed what he is capable of in 2025 before injury and if he can stay in the park in 2026 he is the one I’m picking to top the Bombers SC numbers Awkwardly priced to trust though.

Zach Merrett Mid $583,000

• After his failed trade request, I am expecting Zach to just do what Zach does and will continue to produce elite football before doing it all again next year.

Nick Bryan Ruck $257,600

• Nick Bryan is Essendon’s clear no 1 ruck and is one that should be suited by the new ruck rules. He is coming off a knee reco so their is a watch on how he comes back, but if he misses the first few weeks and comes in and does what we would expect he could be SuperCoach relevant to make some significant cash.

Peter Wright Fwd $427,800

• Not really SC relevant, but should top the Forward scoring at Essendon with his ability to take the 2nd ruck role. Only other chance is if Sam Durham or Zach Merrett play the first 6 rounds as a 50/50 mid / fwd and we get to choose a midfielder as a forward, but that while attractive would be unlikely.

Mid price temptation: 

Darcy Parish Mid $334,600

• Can we trust his body? That’s the question. He will comfortably outscored his price and make the cash we need him to if he can play 6-8 games in a row. But he hasn’t been able to do that since 2021 which is a long time ago now.

• A real bolter - Keep an eye on whether Lachie Blakiston Def $295,500 plays ruck while Nick Bryan works his way back into full fitness, if he does and with his versatility he could be tempting at the price.

Rookies 

Dyson Sharp Mid $149,500

• Dyson looks the most AFL ready and can play HF to start and ease into the midfield rotation. Has impressed everyone on the track so far. 

Vigo Visentini Ruck $

• If he gets the number 1 ruck role at any stage this season he will be a massive option, but I personally think he’s a 2027 and beyond prospect.

Others to keep an eye on :

• Jacob Farrow Def / Mid $163,000, Nik Cox Mid $134,600, Hussein El Achkar Fwd $113,500, Sullivan Robey Fwd / Mid $167,500,