AFL Supercoach 2026: Essendon Bombers 2026 Squad Analysis


<p>Essendon’s 2025 season was cruelled by a horrific injury crisis but a new year means a fresh start.</p>



<p>Former captain Zach Merrett tried to pursue a move to Hawthorn but a deal wasn’t able to get done there, which means he’ll come back to the Bombers who have now elected defender Andrew McGrath as their new skipper.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Ex-Sun Brayden Fiorini has already made a big impact at the Hangar, while a quartet of draftees in Dyson Sharp, Jacob Farrow, Sullivan Robey and Hussien El Achkar should excite Bombers fans, who have lost Sam Draper among nine list changes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Through the injury crisis, several Dons had some senior opportunities under coach Brad Scott that they might not have otherwise and the Bombers will be searching for continued improvement again in 2026.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at the Bombers’ SuperCoach prospects for the upcoming season.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Predicted Round 1 starting team</strong></h2>



<p>FB: Andrew McGrath, Ben McKay, Jordan Ridley</p>



<p>HB: Mason Redman, Zach Reid, Archie Roberts</p>



<p>C: Xavier Duursma, Darcy Parish, Brayden Fiorini</p>



<p>HF: Jye Caldwell, Nate Caddy, Kyle Langford</p>



<p>FF: Isaac Kako, Peter Wright, Matt Guelfi</p>



<p>FOLL: Nick Bryan, Zach Merrett, Sam Durham</p>



<p>I/C: Angus Clarke, Dyson Sharp, Jacob Farrow, Harrison Jones, Archie Perkins</p>



<p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Essendon managed to get AFL experience to almost every player on their list last year, which means competition for places this season should be fierce. Sharp and Farrow will be eyeing off early debuts, while Robey will also hope to be amongst the action early but has had an interrupted pre-season due to a back problem. Which talls make selection is also interesting, with Vigo Visentini, Lachie Blakiston and Archie May around the mark, while Jayden Nguyen, Jade Gresham and Jaxon Prior are others who could be in the frame. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fixtures</strong></h2>



<p>Round 1: Hawthorn (H)</p>



<p>Round 2: Port Adelaide (A)</p>



<p>Round 3: North Melbourne (H)</p>



<p>Round 4: Western Bulldogs (A)</p>



<p>Round 5: Melbourne (H)</p>



<p>Byes: Round 15</p>



<p><strong>Verdict: </strong>The month leading into Essendon’s bye is particularly appealing, with matchups against Richmond, West Coast, Carlton and Melbourne and then North Melbourne post-bye. It’s hard to place the Bombers heading into 2026 however, given the best 23 will look a lot different to what they had out on the park late last year. Their bye is shared with Brisbane, Sydney and West Coast.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOCK</strong></h2>



<p>Draftee <strong>Dyson Sharp ($149,500 MID)</strong> is ready made for AFL footy and looms as a likely round one debutant against Hawthorn. Sharp is an absolute beast at the coalface and proved any doubters wrong during his under 18s year, winning a smorgasbord of awards. He’s an absolute ball magnet and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. </p>



<p>Elsewhere, midfielder <strong>Darcy Parish ($334,600 MID)</strong> is looking good this summer after a 2025 campaign cruelled by injuries. Parish clearly comes with a significant injury risk, but if he can return to the heights of his 2021-2023 years then he could prove a bargain buy. It’s worth tracking his fitness and form over the practice games. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>POINT OF DIFFERENCE </strong></h2>



<p>Despite his failed attempt to defect to the arch enemy in Hawthorn, <strong>Zach Merrett ($583,000 MID)</strong> is the ultimate professional who will again be critical to Essendon’s fortunes this year. Merrett has averaged over 100 for ten consecutive seasons now and is one of the competition’s best players but is in just two per cent of teams at the time of writing. A creative on-baller with an elite kick, taking a punt on Merrett could be a risk worth taking. </p>



<p>Elsewhere, young star <strong>Archie Roberts ($452,700 DEF) </strong>is a mid-priced defensive option who could be worth a look. Roberts has improved each year he’s been in the system and will be hoping to take the next step again in 2026. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHEAPIES</strong></h2>



<p>Sharp should be a lock, but there could be plenty of other Bombers that come through as solid cheapies for us. <strong>Jacob Farrow ($163,000 DEF/MID)</strong> is a superb user of the footy and has impressed throughout the pre-season across half-back, which could translate to some great SuperCoach scores if he can find his way into the best 23. The Bombers are crying out for good users and Farrow would certainly bolster that aspect of their game. </p>



<p>Fellow draftee <strong>Sullivan Robey ($167,500 MID/FWD)</strong> has had an interrupted pre-season but was one of the most in-demand draftees last year given his unique skillset. Not only can he find the footy, he also loves to hit the scoreboard and I suspect that when fit, he’ll slot in across the half forward line, he just might take some time to work his way into the senior side. </p>



<p>If <strong>Vigo Visentini ($181,800 RUC)</strong> or <strong>Nick Bryan ($257,600 RUC) </strong>are selected as solo rucks you’d have to consider them at R3 and if <strong>Nik Cox ($134,600 MID)</strong> has put his concussion issues behind him could be considered depending on his role.</p>



<p></p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: Essendon Bombers 2026 Squad Analysis

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