The Bombers were another club who – early in 2024 – were looking likely finalists.
After 13 Rounds Essendon were second on the ladder and even after 18 Rounds, they were still top four.
A form slump and an extremely tough draw saw them eventually drop to 11th on the ladder with 11 wins, one draw and a percentage in the low 90s.
Top 100 Game Players Lost: 1.
Dyson Heppell (eq #14), a former captain of the club, gave the club good service over 14 seasons and retired on the same number of games as champion James Hird.
Top 100 Game Players recruited from other clubs: 0.
Essendon (along with Richmond and Sydney) took virtually no part in the trade period and therefore no new Top 100 players were recruited, relying instead on the draft.
Current Top 100 Games Players: 4.
As Dyson Heppell was the most experienced current player in the team, his exit means that Zach Merrett takes over that mantle with three others who have gained Top 100 status: Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath and Kyle Langford.
Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Potential Top 100 Game Players Next Season: 2.
One player, Jayden Laverde should join the elite early in the 2025 season whilst Mason Redman should pass the “bar’ for entry into the Top 100 game list at the club around the halfway mark of the season.
That would give the Bombers a total of six Top 100 game players by the end of the season, just not quite enough to pose a serious threat for the flag.
Players no longer qualified for the Top 100 Game Players List: 2.
Harold “Roy” McConnell died in Queensland in 2003 and finally lost his place as a Top 100 game player at the ‘Dons 21 years later.
A two-time premiership player, McConnell later became a committeeman, secretary and first General Manager of the Bombers.
McConnell retired at the end of the 1956 season after being selected as the 20th man in the final match of the season, against Geelong.
Vice-Captain of the senior team, and its regular full-back, McConnell was selected as its 20th man in the last match of the season, against Geelong.
He withdrew and announced his immediate retirement claiming he deserved a place in the 18.
Neil “Nobby” Clarke also died in 2003 but at a much younger age. A dual premiership player, Clarke played as a ruck rover in 1984 and on the half-back flank in 1985 in the two premierships. Heavily involved in numerous roles at Essendon, Clarke was a much-loved member of the AFL community.
Jake Stringer. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Top 100 Goal Scorers Lost: 1.
Jake Stringer (#25) was the leading current goal scorer at the club but has moved to Greater Western Sydney.
Top 100 Goal Scorers recruited from other clubs: 0.
Current Top 100 Goal Scorers: 2.
Jake Stringer’s departure leaves the club with a meagre two Top 100 goal scorers. Kyle Langford (#33) is now the leading current goal kicker at the Bombers with Peter Wright (eq #61), with former player Alwyn Davey.
Potential Top 100 Goal Scorers Next Season: 0.
It seems unlikely that any new Top 100 Goal Scorers will make the list in 2025, although Captain Zach Merrett needs only 11 goals – a total he has achieved twice in his 11-year career (including season 2024).
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