ESSENDON’S father-son selection Joe Daniher is expected to be in the mix once again to make his AFL debut after another impressive outing for the the Bombers VFL team in in their 12-point loss to Port Melbourne on Saturday. Daniher kicked four goals and looked lively for much of the match and with Michael Hurley

IN a massive upset, the Brisbane Lions headed to Melbourne, expected by many, except their most ardent fans, to lose but instead they upset the number two placed side and came away with the points.

Simon Black started the match in his second game of the year after being the Sub last week against West Coast. He found plenty of the ball with 12 first term touches and all of them were silky and effective.

ESSENDON BOMBERS
vs
BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday May 18, 1:45pm, Etihad Stadium

GAME OVER: BRISBANE 14.12.96 def ESSENDON

AFTER taking care of business against Essednon, Geelong now face the prospect of being without Taylor Hunt after the Cats tagger went down with a right shoulder injury in the first quarter of last night’s blockbuster at Etihad Stadium. Hunt collided with Essendon’s Jake Melsham along the boundary line in the opening minutes of play when the two players were

IN front of a packed Etihad Stadium, Geelong has put on a third quarter clinic to runaway 28 point winners against a bewildered Essendon. The two undefeated teams fought furiously, until a rampant Cats made a wasteful Bombers pay, winning 17.11 (113) to 11.19 (85).

After the Cats started the game slow out of the blocks and trailed by 21 points in the second quarter, they switched on after that and made the Bombers rue their chances.

GEELONG CATS
vs
ESSENDON BOMBERS
Friday 10th May, 7:50pm, Etihad Stadium

GAME OVER: GEELONG 17.11 (113) def ESSENDON 11.19 (85)

THE Essendon Football Club has announced that Dyson Heppell has agreed to a two year contract extension with the club. Heppell, 20, won the Ron Evans Medal in 2011 as the NAB Rising Star award winner for that season and has been a star midfielder for the Bombers ever since they selected him with the 8th pick

IT was first against worst according to the AFL ladder but the game proved to be far more interesting than any would have expected.

Maybe it was Kevin Sheedy finding a little something extra against his old club or maybe it was just complacency by the Bombers, but in a game of two very different halves, Essendon had to shake off a 21 point halftime deficit to defeat the GWS Giants by 39 points

Essendon Bombers
vs
Greater Western Sydney Giants

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 1:45pm AEST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)
GAME OVER: Essendon 17.18.120 def GWS Giants

Essendon Bombers
vs
Greater Western Sydney Giants

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 1:45pm AEST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)

THE only saving grace for Essendon in its performance enhancing drug scandal remains a letter from the World Anti-Doping Agency approving use of the anti-obesity drug AOD-9604 shown to the club – but WADA doubts the existence of it. The document, which was allegedly provided by sports scientists Stephen Dank, has yet to be seen in

ESSENDON’S father-son selection Joe Daniher is still in the mix for an imminent AFL debut despite a “planned rest” from the VFL this week. The Bombers opted to rest its promising star from its 35-point win over North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium. Daniher’s form in the VFL in recent weeks had put him into serious

PUNTERS are surging on the Bombers after their impressive 46-point win over Collingwood on ANZAC Day, but ironically it is all for the wrong reasons. Essendon is now fourth favourite for the wooden spoon according to some markets with the full report from Ziggy Switkowski to be released publicly next week. The findings are expected

ESSENDON is likely to race to a 6-nil start with a meeting against Greater Western Sydney next week but coach James Hird has told fans not to get too carried away following its round five Anzac Day win over Collingwood by 46-points at the

Essendon Bombers
vs
Collingwood Magpies

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 2:40pm EST
WHERE: MCG (VIC)
Final Score: ESSENDON 18.13 (121) def COLLINGWOOD 10.15 (75)

“As they played the Last Post and the national anthem, the 100,000-strong crowd uttered not a peep, whispered not a murmur. The atmosphere was electric and the general mood in the air one of reverence for the diggers and anticipation of the game to come…” - Peter Fitzsimons. It can be a hard act to associate the horrors

Essendon Bombers
vs
Collingwood Magpies

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 2:40pm EST
WHERE: MCG (VIC)

ESSENDON’S prized father-son selection Joe Daniher will be strongly considered for his AFL debut against Collingwood at the MCG on Anzac Day. Bombers skipper Jobe Watson said Stewart Crameri may return to replace the injured Michael Hurley, but Daniher will vie for contention with Scott Gumbleton, who played a starring role against the Saints on the weekend.

ESSENDON key forward Michael Hurley is now in doubt for next Thursday’s ANZAC Day clash against Collingwood after injuring his ankle in yesterday’s match against St Kilda. Hurley, 22, was subbed off after falling awkwardly and injuring his ankle in a marking contest during the third quarter of the club’s 37 point win at Etihad

IT was always going to be a big ask for St Kilda and on an emotional day when the Saints took on the prodigal son Brendon Goddard and his new team, the talent gap between the two sides was visible as Essendon came away with a 37 point victory at Etihad Stadium last night

THE Casey Scorpions have notched their third consecutive win to kickstart their 2013 season after demolishing Essendon at Windy Hill by a score of 25.12 (162) to 11.13 (79). The damage was done after a seven goal to three second term that set up the Scorpions scoring run and, ultimately, their 82-point win. While highly fancied Essendon

St Kilda Saints
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 4:40pm EST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)
Final Score: ESSENDON 19.14 (128) def ST KILDA 13.13 (91)

MANY remember the 2010 AFL Grand Final between St Kilda and Collingwood as being the first draw since North Melbourne vs. Collingwood in 1977. But it is the story of Brendon Goddard’s Grand Final heroics and later his deflection to Essendon, which is an important tale. The 27 year old soared higher than any other

FORMER Gippsland Power excitement machine Anthony Tipungwuti will make his debut for Essendon’s VFL team against the Casey Scorpions on Saturday. Tipungwuti, who hails from the Tiwi Islands, was unlucky not to be rookie-listed last season but instead finds himself at the Bombers in a VFL capacity but will be looking to impress. Bombers VFL

St Kilda Saints
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 4:40pm EST
WHERE: Etihad Stadium (VIC)

THE Essendon Football Club has announced that Paddy Ryder and Nick Kommer have accepted the sanctions passed down by the Match Review Panel yesterday. As a result Ryder will be out for three weeks for his hit on Fremantle’s Luke McPharlin and Kommer will miss two weeks for his rough conduct against Fremantle’s Kepler Bradley. “It is disappointing to

THERE was no doubt that last night’s game between Fremantle and Essendon was a thrilling contest ending in heartbreak for the home team and elation for the visitors. Also on Football Nation: What we learnt: Fremantle vs Essendon But the game was not without a price with a number of players injured and potentially facing

OUT of the darkness Essendon have lifted themselves from one of the most tumultuous weeks in the club’s history to record an inspiring four-point upset win against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium in Subiaco, Western Australia

Fremantle Dockers
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Friday, April 12, 2013 at 6:40pm WST
WHERE: Patersons Stadium (WA)
Final Score: ESSENDON 10.12 (72) def FREMANTLE 9.14 (68)

ESSENDON coach James Hird has decided to ignore AFL chief Andrew Demetriou’s call for him to consider standing down as coach ahead of tonight’s clash against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium. Earlier today, Demetriou, in an interview with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell, said that he believed Hird should consider standing down pending the investigation, knowing a few

THE Herald Sun has this morning reported that under-fire Essendon coach James Hird will tell anti-doping authorities that he received two injections in March last year and he understood that they were legal amino acids. The report comes the morning after the ABC’s 7.30 program last night that revealed an extensive series of text messages between James

Fremantle Dockers
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Friday, April 12, 2013 at 6:40pm WST
WHERE: Patersons Stadium (WA)

UPDATE: ESSENDON coach James Hird was hoping for just another normal week in the lead up to Friday night’s clash against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium. Instead, it has become one of backlash following claims that he injected a WADA blacklisted drug, while his players were given an extract from pig’s brain according to a media

DEE-plorable, dee-vastating and dee-sastrous. Like a leaky, faulty water pipe, Melbourne’s floodgates burst again with a whopping 148-point annihilation. Last night’s loss for the Demons marked their worst at the MCG in their 155-year history.

Essendon Bombers
vs
Melbourne Demons

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 7:40pm AEDT
WHERE: MCG (VIC)
Final Score: ESSENDON 28.16 (184) def MELBOURNE 5.6 (36)

Essendon Bombers
vs
Melbourne Demons

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 7:40pm AEDT
WHERE: MCG (VIC)
LAST TIME: Round 10, 2012, MELBOURNE 8.10 (58) def ESSENDON 6.16 (52) at the

ESSENDON’S 35-point win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium last night was full of emotion considering the dark months at Windy Hill leading up to the match

Adelaide Crows
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Friday March 22, 2013 at 8:10pm ACDT
WHERE: AAMI Stadium (SA)
GAME OVER: ESSENDON 18.9 (117) def ADELAIDE 11.16 (82)

Adelaide Crows
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHEN: Friday March 22, 2013 at 8:10pm CDT
WHERE: AAMI Stadium (SA)

Essendon Coach: Hayden Skipworth Key Player Arrivals: Matt Firman (Geelong), Josh Freezer, Jacob Thompson, Ben Duscher (Bendigo), Josh Toy (Gold Coast), Matthew Bate (Melbourne), Michael Sikora (Sandringham) Key Player Departures: Nil Last Year’s Finish: Didn’t form a team until 2013 This year’s prediction: 1st And why?: Hayden Skipworth had little to work with at Bendigo.

A HORROR pre-season off the field but the Bombers are hopeful of turning it around and providing fans – who have shown some faith – with some excitement.

WE have seen glimpses from Essendon big man Paddy Ryder but coach James Hird said in the after match press conference that he wants to see more consistent dominance from him after his outstanding display against GWS on Friday night

Greater Western Sydney Giants
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHERE: Manuka Oval, ACT
WHEN: Friday, March 8, 6.10pm EDT
FINAL SCORE: ESSENDON 1.16.14 (119) def GWS GIANTS 0.4.4 (28)

Guest contributor RowdyOne continues his series looking at each club’s best 22 players for the upcoming 2013 season. Suddenly we all know far more about “peptides” than we ever thought we would. This off-season for the Bombers has indeed been tough and the recent controversy that has surrounded the club has overshadowed an off-season that saw the

THE drama surrounding controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank has expanded and engulfed the NRL’s Cronulla Sharks with news emerging that up to 14 of the club’s players face immediate suspension after being implicated in ASADA’s anti-doping investigations. Indeed it had been reported that the 14 players have been told to accept a six-month suspension or

Greater Western Sydney Giants
vs
Essendon Bombers

WHERE: Manuka Oval, ACT
WHEN: Friday, March 8, 6.10pm

FIRST year draftee Nick Vlastuin must be on the Richmond’s selection committees’ minds given his outstanding pre-season and such was his promising form in the eight point win over the Bombers in Wangaratta on the weekend, Vlastuin is well and truly in contention for a senior debut in round one

Essendon Bombers
vs
Richmond Tigers

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 5.10pm EDT
WHERE: Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta, VIC
FINAL SCORE: RICHMOND 2.8.20 (86) def ESSENDON 1.10.9 (78)

Essendon Bombers
vs
Richmond Tigers

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 5.10pm EDT
WHERE: Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta, VIC

ESSENDON coach James Hird went from being testy during a pre-game interview with Fox Footy (when he walked off-camera in response to the Herald Sun‘s Mark Robinson questions about the drug investigation that has engulfed the club) to being noticeably happier during his post-game press conference. The under-fire coach was full of praise for his players for their

GAME 1: ESSENDON 1.5.6 (45) d WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.1.4 (19)
GAME 2: COLLINGWOOD1.6.2 (47) d WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.4.5 (29)
GAME 3: COLLINGWOOD 1.2.10 (31) d ESSENDON 0.4.5 (29)

JUST imagine if Essendon skipper Jobe Watson was to be stripped of his Brownlow Medal after such a scintillating season last year. The reaction of his father, club champion Tim Watson, said it all this week

ASADA was spotted at Essendon training this morning as the authority continues its overall investigation into the Bombers’ performance enhancing drug scandal. The authority says it was a routine check and was also spotted at the Western Bulldogs training base at Whitten Oval earlier in the morning. Every player was tested during the targeted checks.

NAB Cup Squads Round 1, 2013
Collingwood Magpies
vs
Western Bulldogs
vs
Essendon Bombers
WHEN: Fri 15 Feb 2013, 06:45 PM
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, Docklands, VIC

ESSENDON is expecting some positive news by Friday in regards to the performance enhancing drug claims. Key Essendon figures spoke about the hope of hearing some good news at the parents meeting at Windy Hill on Monday night and believes many questions that weren’t answered may well be answered then. But an investigation from ASADA

WITH potential bans set to be handed down by ASADA, it could be the end of the road for one of the games’ longest serving players – Dustin Fletcher – if the Bombers are found guilty of administering illegal substances. For all of the hypotheticals out there about what may or may not happen, this

THE man at the centre of the Essendon drug scandal – Stephen Dank – says players were informed of the supplements they were having but didn’t believe that he was giving the players anything illegal. ”They were obviously quite happy with what I had discussed with them, and I figured that must have been consistent

CLUBS are at risk of being penalised with potential bans for two years, being stripped of awards such as Brownlow Medals and having the right to choose players at the next available draft as part of punishment from the AFL under WADA rules if found guilty of administering banned substances. Just a day after ASADA

ESSENDON is at the centre of an investigation for substance use from ASADA and the AFL. The Bombers swiftly held a press conference this afternoon at AFL headquarters with chief David Evans stating that it was a “very distressing” time for the club amidst claims some of its players had been using illegal substances while

BOMBERS midfielder David Zaharakis is hoping that he will be fit enough to still get some game time in the NAB Cup despite injuring a quad at training this week. Zaharakis, who took out the 2011 best and fairest, said he was confident the injury wouldn’t be a huge setback. “I definitely wont miss the

ESSENDON midfielder Dyson Heppell says that last year’s torrid pre-season – which had the team falling over in the second half of the season – will hold the team in good stead heading into the 2013 season. Heppell also believes this pre-season has been the best he has seen in his time at the club,

WITH David Hille in the twilight of his career and Patrick Ryder set to remain in a dual role in the ruck and up forward, Tom Bellchambers is set to assume the No.1 ruck spot at the Bombers this season. Coach James Hird said at a recent press conference that Bellchambers has had an outstanding

ESSENDON’S star forward Michael Hurley is in the best shape of his career according to assistant coach Matthew Egan. The 22-year-old is set for a huge break-out season given he has shed weight and has enhanced his endurance over the break. Egan said the wrist operation last year actually could turn out to be a

HARD-running Essendon midfielder Michael Hibberd says he is hoping for an injury-free season after copping two soft tissue injuries for the Bombers last season. Hibberd, who was recruited from Frankston, has become a handy player for the Bombers but struggled to maintain consistency last season after comebacks from injuries. “Just to limit the injuries really,

DELISTED Essendon forward Kyle Reimers has opted out of the AFL, turning his back on the national competition and returning to Western Australia with a view to playing in the WAFL. Reimers, 23, had been approved to train with Carlton earlier this week and, while his name was on the Permission to Train List, Reimers

WITH the Second List Lodgement deadline looming this Thursday, the Essendon Football Club has announced that it has parted ways with Brent Prismall, Ricky Dyson and Ariel Steinberg. But in one of those strange AFL list manoeuvres  Steinberg, 20, has been offered a spot on the Rookie List by the club via next month’s Rookie Draft. (Also on Football Nation:

AFTER trade period negotiations to get him to North Melbourne failed, Ben Jacobs has quit Port Adelaide today and nominated for the AFL Draft to be held on November 22. Just two years after being drafted by the Power with the 16th pick of the  2010 Draft, Jacobs, 20, was keen to return home to

              ROUND   DATE OPPONENT VENUE   TIME 1 Friday, March 22 Adelaide Crows AAMI Stadium Away 8.10pm 2 Saturday, April 6 Melbourne MCG Home 7.40pm 3 Friday, April 12 Fremantle Patersons Stadium Away 6.40pm 4 Saturday, April 20 St Kilda Etihad Stadium Away 4.40pm 5 Thursday, April 25

IN a deal that shows that the AFL still has some kinks to work out of the new free agency system, Essendon forward Angus Monfries has been traded to Port Adelaide for the Power’s third round draft pick. In a move that is sure to challenge the spirit of the rule if not the letter,

GUEST Writer MATT WEBBER is a proud and long time St Kilda fan and shares his views about Brendon Goddard and the first official player movement under the AFL’s new free agency rules

BRENDON Goddard is set  to make a move under the AFL’s new free agency rules, testing the market, picking his new “workplace” and negotiating directly with the Essendon Football Club after 10 years with St Kilda. Goddard, 27, was selected by the Saints with the number one overall selection in the 2002 AFL Draft, and went on to

IN a year of balloting that featured a wide-open field of deserving winners, Essendon captain Jobe Watson last night emerged the victor. Watson raced out to an early lead in the vote count, recording votes in 12 of the first 14 Rounds and, at 26 votes after that burst, taking a commanding 8 point lead over the

Joe Daniher Key position, Calder Cannons (VIC) 201cm, 89kg 04/03/1994 HAS developed into one of the TAC Cup’s key forwards and is set to taken as a father-son selection by the Bombers in the first round of this year’s draft. Cannons coach Marty Allison has warned that Daniher may take some time to develop his raw

ESSENDON veteran Mark McVeigh has bowed out after 232-AFL games, preferring to give his spot to a rookie-listed player in the lead up to

REIGNING premier Geelong proved last night that it has one last punch left in the tank after demolishing Essendon by 67-points at Etihad Stadium. Certainly the critics were out during the week including Collingwood premiership coach Mick Malthouse, who assumed the Cats couldn’t make the finals this season with a tough run home. It was

CARLTON forward Jarrad Waite and Essendon midfielder Brent Prismall will make long-awaited returns from injury this week in the VFL. Blues coach Brett Ratten was optimistic that Waite could resume in the AFL ranks as soon as next week with the club in desperate need of some forward power. “He’s one we would just love

ESSENDON ruckman Tom Bellchambers is likely to be recalled for Saturday’s clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium after escaping with a reprimand for a tripping charge at the VFL tribunal last night Bellchambers, who was best on ground for Bendigo, is almost certain to return for the Bombers against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium

ESSENDON bound father son selection Joe Daniher has cited that he wants to play a game of VFL with Bendigo this season to enhance his development, but the Bombers have yet to approve the plan. There has been some caution applied to Daniher being fast-tracked despite him dominating in the TAC Cup and impressing in

THE Western Bulldogs’ demoralising 84-point loss to Essendon last night has not pushed the panic buttons just yet but the signs appear gloomy at Whitten Oval. The Dogs barely gave a yelp last night and that happened right from the first bounce as the Dons walloped them in the centre clearances to get out to

IS it too early for Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton to return to Essendon’s forward line despite showing encouraging signs in his last three VFL matches? Former AFL coach Robert Shaw took to Twitter yesterday, suggesting that a return too soon could wreck Gumbleton’s career, plagued by back and hamstring injuries, once more. “The gap (from)

ESSENDON development coach Hayden Skipworth is hopeful exciting young talent Anthony Long can “get a good run at the rest of the year” after an injury-plagued career which led to his delisting at the end of last season. Long was subsequently put on the Bombers rookie list for one last crack although his injury problems

ESSENDON has signed star big man Paddy Ryder to a new four-year deal with the club that will see him earn $2 million over that period. The move will be a blow to other clubs such as the GWS Giants that had hoped to secure the services of the 24 year old as well as ending

ESSENDON’S Jake Carlisle has earned the Rising Star nomination for Round 9 of the 2012 season after a seven mark and 13 possession performance against the GWS Giants last Saturday night. Carlisle, 20, was the 24th pick of the 2009 Draft and had played 10 games for the Bombers heading into this season. Working initially as

ESSENDON forward Scott Gumbleton will make his return from injury yet again for Bendigo against Collingwood in the VFL at Victoria Park on Saturday. The injury-plagued forward is set to perhaps give his body one last roll of the dice after succumbing to a number of injuries since being drafted by the Bombers in 2006.

After the completion of the 2012 AFL season the league will be revolutionised by the introduction of free agency. For eligible players this will give them the ability to leave their current club, bypassing the draft and trade periods, and essentially pick their next employer themselves. For the AFL, this will be an unprecedented change. In the lead

ESSENDON-bound Joe Daniher kicked seven goals in the Calder Cannons’ 68-point win over the Murray Bushrangers on Sunday. Daniher is expected to be taken as a father-son selection by the Bombers in this year’s AFL draft. To some recruiters, he is considered a certain first round selection but Essendon may get a steal under the

BENDIGO coach Hayden Skipworth will coach Essendon’s new VFL team next season. Skipworth revealed after the 71-point win over Casey on Sunday that he will go on to play a significant role in the development of the Bomber young guns next year. “I’ve been there (at Essendon) for five years now and love my time here,

THE Essendon Football Club has had a good start to the 2012 season with back to back wins over North Melbourne last week and over Port Adelaide yesterday.  Both games were fought right through to the final moments and the Bombers have shown a resilience under pressure that can only help them as the rest

ESSENDON defender Jake Carlisle is in line for a return against Port Adelaide on Saturday after a dominant performance in the VFL on the weekend. Bombers development coach Hayden Skipworth said Carlisle was on top for much of the game after claiming best on ground in the “Carlisle was excellent. He marked everything that came

ON the eve of the 2012 premiership season, the Essendon Football Club has announced that they have signed a new contract with star foward Michael Hurley that will keep him with the club through to the end of the 2017 season. Hurley, 21, the 5th pick of the 2008 Draft, has played 47 games with

WE continue our season preview in a pocket series with the team that we think will finish in 10th position. And that is Essendon

The AFL has just announced that St Kilda will be awarded the victory, and four NAB Cup points, after Essendon was unable to make the game in Wangaratta last night

The Essendon vs St Kilda NAB Cup game, scheduled to be played in Wangaratta at 7:00pm tonight has been cancelled. Ironically the Bombers, who had chartered two planes to head to the north-eastern Victorian town, had problems flying. For reasons that have yet to be explained, the club had scheduled their flight for early in

It has only taken seven round of the 2010 AFL season for the jury to be out on one of the leagues pre season favourites. Hawthorn set the footy world alight in 2008 when they surprisingly showed up the more fancied Geelong to take out the Grand Final, and to go down as one of

Essendon will decide in next 48 hours if it has any interest in former St Kilda captain

Essendon reveals $20 million plan in bid to keep Bombers at traditional home for the long-term future

Adam McPhee’s hopes of returning to Fremantle after quitting Essendon, will hinge on Melbourne

Adam McPhee is set to leave Essendon in a bid to join Fremantle via the pre-season draft

Former Essendon coach to be appointed coach of new Western Sydney AFL team, newspaper reports

Essendon utility Hayden Skipworth says injuries forced him into early retirement