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Sport Nation
The glaring Essendon stat that was the worst in over two years
Connor Scanlon • May 21st, 2025 1:25 pm
Essendon's shortcomings have been highlighted by Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne following their 91-point thrashing at the hands of the Western Bulldogs.
Hoyne ripped into the Bombers' lack of tackling pressure, which broke an unwanted Champion Data record for the worst pressure recorded in over two years.
“There’s tackles and then there’s missed tackles,” Hoyne told SEN’s Sportsday.
“They had 99 (attempted) tackles on the weekend to lay a tackle to prevent a Bulldogs player from getting an effective disposal away.
“Only 46 times did they do this.
“That’s the worst return we’ve seen by any team for more than two years.”
Hoyne singled out Essendon’s skipper Zach Merrett as one of the main catalysts to their tackling issues against the Dogs.
“Zach Merrett did something that we have rarely seen from Zach Merrett’s career,” Hoyne exclaimed.
“Six times he tried to lay a tackle, 0 tackles (laid).
“Only the third time in his career, Zach, where he actually hadn’t laid a tackle.”
Hoyne also picked out midfielder Will Setterfield and off-season recruit Jaxon Prior for missing when it mattered.
“(Will) Setterfield on the weekend tried to lay 12 tackles, only laid six effective tackles,” Hoyne said.
“(The) AFL average is about 70 percent.
“Jaxon Prior, playing in your back half. Five times he tried to lay a tackle on the weekend, only once (he laid a tackle).
“You can’t get away with those sort of numbers.”
Hoyne said Friday night’s Dreamtime clash against Richmond will present a crucial test of Essendon’s character.
“If you’re an Essendon supporter there is one thing that you can almost guarantee with what’s going to be on the white board,” Hoyne said.
“That’s pressure and their ability to stick tackles.
“So, Friday night that’s probably the only thing I would’ve thought if you’re an Essendon supporter, that you’re going along to see - can we stick it?
“Against a team of lesser quality than the Bulldogs, especially from a midfield perspective, can we get to work and actually prevent that from happening, to protect our back half.”
The Dons could be inspired by one of the biggest home and away games on the AFL calendar when they take on the Tigers in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
