RICHO’S TOP 10: Essendon Bombers must be united off the AFL field and have strong leadership

1. It’s hard to see a win coming anytime soon for Essendon with the worst far from over.

I went through times like this at the Tigers back in the day. It’s a tough environment to be in when a win seems near impossible to achieve. But one thing is certain, to turn it around you can’t have elements or your club being divisive. You need all parts of your club being in unison. I saw this with Richmond from 2010 until the 2017. Brendan Gale and Peggy O’Neal were able to change the culture with consistent and stable leadership. If the Bombers understood there was going to be some “pain” as Brad Scott said in his presser after the game Saturday night they need to come out publicly and support their coach and do it quickly. I fear for what the undefeated Bulldogs are going to do them on Sunday.

2. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Good Friday appeal game tomorrow is shaping as a cutthroat match for Michael Voss and the Carlton footy club.

North Melbourne have won twice this year, and I think they can match Carlton around the contest and stoppages. If a team does this against the Blues, they have shown in all three games they can’t score from turnover. The other factor is the mental demons they clearly suffer in the second half. Once challenged they lose confidence and second guess themselves very quickly. They have been outscored 36.21 to 11.18 after half-time after leading at the main break in all three games. A simple blueprint for North is to match Carlton in tight and be close at half-time. The Blues do have one thing going for them and that is not having to worry about Tristan Xerri who is serving a three-match ban for his bizarre decision to wipe his blood on the face of Bombers skipper Andrew McGrath. It will give the Blues an advantage in their strength area which is scoring from stoppages but they still need to find a way at scoring from turnover and taking some risk with ball in hand.

3. The tipping point has arrived for the GWS Giants on the injury front so the bye this weekend has come at a very good time for them.

At 1-3 they are desperate for the cavalry to arrive in the Barossa for Gather Round against the Tigers. When you have your two key defenders, Jack Buckley and Sam Taylor, your best midfielder, Tom Green, arguably your best key forward, Aaron Cadman, and three of you small hybrid pressure forwards, Toby Bedford, Brent Daniels and Darcy Jones out you are in all sorts. No team can cover losses at this level, particularly when the talent pool is stretched to its limit across the entire competition. This injured group will not all come back in Gather Round but two or three of them should and help them get a much-needed win.

4. I’m putting my Tigers fanboy hat on here after noticing a bit of negative feedback from Tigers supporters online.

My advice to them is stay positive and be realistic. Over the last two weeks the Tigers have been ultra-competitive against top-four teams the Suns and Dockers for a half. They have then fallen away in the second halves of those games as you would expect. The reality is last Saturday they had 13 players on the field with under 50 games. The starting forward line’s most experienced player was Maurice Rioli Jr with 53 games. Three of their first round picks from the 2024 and 2025 drafts Taj Hotton, Josh Smillie and Sam Cumming are not playing as they are injured. Be patient Tiger fans. Our time will come again.

5. Two wins on the trot for Andrew McQualter’s Eagles who have already eclipsed last year’s solitary win.

The most impressive part of both wins was they were able to reel in an early deficit. The best part of this is the really bright signs from their young stars. It’s only early but I think you can declare that they have nailed their early draft picks. Willem Duursma looks to have it all. Taking intercept marks down back and also marking it in forward 50. He’s also hitting the scoreboard. Their talls, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Archer Reid and Jobe Shanahan are looking imposing as well. West Coast had 10 players 21 and under on the field against Port. The re-build of this club is starting to take shape.

6. The rule changes at centre throw up are really starting to kick in. Some teams have adapted well and are scoring well from this area of the ground.

Some are struggling. Essentially if you haven’t got a ruckman that can jump you are in a bit of strife. The Hawks have already decided to go with two rucks in Lloyd Meek and Ned Reeves. Now the Pies have followed suit with last week’s debutant Oscar Steene plus Darcy Cameron. Steene is a jumper and performed well at centre throw ups. With five on the bench, you can carry the extra ruck. Look at your team’s list and if you don’t have a big leaper you could be in a bit of trouble moving forward.

7. Bravo to the AFL on announcing the grand final will remain in the traditional timeslot of 2.30pm for the next two years.

The AFL often cops criticism for not listening to the rank-and-file fanbase. Well they have this time. It won’t please everyone as there is clearly support for a twilight or night grand final. But the overriding majority wanted the afternoon slot and we now have clarity. Having worked on talkback radio in Melbourne for 17 years we have opened the lines on this topic many times and I would say three out of four callers always say keep it where it is.

8. Securing Kylie Minogue for this year’s AFL pre-game entertainment was another big announcement about the last Saturday in September made this week.

I have written about having Aussie artists on our biggest day so this is great news. Kylie is an icon and most AFL fans will instantly recognise her biggest hits. Will be great now if they can surround her with some younger Aussie talent on the day. The AFL has had a good week.

9. The AFL players through the AFLPA have agreed to a revised illicit drug policy until 2029.

While not going into all of the specifics, the three strikes is out and players will be subjected to twice yearly hair testing. The hair testing can detect illicit drugs in your body for longer. No other professional sports body of players signs up for a policy like this above the existing WADA in competition testing. All athletes are subjected to the WADA testing. This point is important to remember, they didn’t have to sign up for this out-of-competition testing. If a player tests positive the first steps will be treatment and education. As it should be. As usual the critics say this is too lenient and the AFL should name and shame them. Anyone saying a zero-tolerance policy is needed can’t be serious. Imagine an 18-year-old making a mistake out of competition on a Saturday night and losing a career. Sports people are not immune to what a lot of people in the community do every weekend.

10. Did you notice the Melbourne players roll up before the game in their own kit and not their club issued outfits?

I loved it. It gives the players a chance to be themselves and show a bit of flair. This has been happening in US sports for years. While some of the older generation won’t like it, I guarantee the younger fans will love it. My three votes went to CJ Jiath with an honourable mention to Tom McDonald wearing the Bluey T-shirt. Got a feeling his kids had something to do with that!