2011 Essendon Football Club season

Last updated

Essendon Football Club
2011 season
Essendon2011guernsey.png
Essendon's 2011 guernsey
PresidentDavid Evans
Coach James Hird
(1st season)
Captain(s) Jobe Watson
(2nd season)
Home ground Marvel Stadium
Pre-season competition Runners Up
AFL season 8th
Finals series Elimination Final
Best and Fairest David Zaharakis
Leading goalkicker Stewart Crameri (34)
Highest home attendance89,626 vs. Collingwood (Round 5)
Lowest home attendance33,631 vs. West Coast (Round 7)
Average home attendance49,267
Club membership50,275
(Increase2.svg 9,686 / +23.86%)

The 2011 Essendon Football Club season is the club's 113th season in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Contents

Essendon won 11 matches, drew one and lost 10 matches in the 2011 season. Essendon won five matches within the first eight rounds, before a form slump culminated in a five-match losing streak and Essendon dropping out of the top eight for the first time this season when it lost to Hawthorn by 65 points.

Their season begun with a 55-point thumping of triple-preliminary finalists the Western Bulldogs before a narrow five-point defeat to Sydney followed. Wins over St Kilda (in their captain Nick Riewoldt's 200th game) followed, before a thrilling draw against Carlton and a five-goal loss in the Anzac Day match against Collingwood followed.

Round 6 brought along the mother of all Essendon wins a 139-point thumping of the Gold Coast at home, with the Bombers recording a record first-quarter score of 15.4 (94) and its quarter-time lead of 93 points also brought along a new record. Amidst this, Essendon lost the second quarter in surprising circumstances, before going on to finish the job to record its first win over a side featuring Gary Ablett since 2005. Only two more wins would follow, against the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Lions in the weeks after the Suns annihilation.

Essendon pulled off the boilover of the season when they defeated the previously unbeaten Geelong by four points in Round 15, 2011, without their injured skipper, Jobe Watson. It was their first win over the Cats in almost six years, having not beaten them since Round 18, 2005. However, it was just their second win over Geelong since 2003, leaving them with one of the worst records against Geelong in recent times.

Round 20 saw Essendon at home to Sydney for the first time since Round 1, 2006 when Essendon triumphed by 27 points. Essendon won by one point after a post-siren shot by Sydney's Adam Goodes drifted to the left. Round 23 saw Essendon qualifying the finals for the second time in two years, when it defeated Port Adelaide by 7 points at Etihad Stadium. It ended a seven-year winless run against the side, having not beaten them since Round 18, 2004.

Essendon's elimination final against Carlton was lost by 62 points, ending what was otherwise a promising first year for James Hird in the Essendon coaching role.

Squad

Senior listRookie ListCoaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • Cruz Roja.svg Long-term injury list
  • Arrow-up.png Upgraded rookie(s)
  • (vet) Veterans list

Updated: 15 February 2012
Source(s): Playing list


Trades

Drafts

Results

Pre-season (NAB Cup)

Round 1

Round 1
Friday, 18 February 7:30 pm Essendon 1.11.1 (76)def. Brisbane Lions 0.2.2 (14) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,313) Report
Friday, 18 February 9:25 pm St Kilda 0.6.2 (38)drew with Essendon 0.5.8 (38) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 24,158) Report

Essendon progressed to the second round.

Quarter-finals

Round 2
Thursday, 24 February 7:10 pm Melbourne 1.11.7 (82)def. by Essendon 1.17.20 (121) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 13,863) Report

Essendon progressed to the third round.

Semi-finals

Semi-finals
Friday, 4 March 7:40 pm Essendon 0.12.12 (84)def. St Kilda 0.6.9 (45) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 17,632) Report

Grand Final

2011 NAB Cup Grand Final
Friday, 11 March 7:45 pm Essendon def. by Collingwood Etihad Stadium (crowd: 45,304) Report
0.2.2 (14)
0.3.4 (22)
0.9.5 (59)
0.13.8 (86)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.3.4 (22)
0.7.6 (48)
1.11.7 (82)
1.15.9 (108)
Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Nicholls, Jennings
Michael Tuck Medal: Heath Shaw
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Super Goals1 Buckley
Hurley, Monfries 3
Ryder, Watson, Zaharakis 2
Hocking 1
Goals3 Krakouer, Dawes
2 Cloke
1 Ball, Beams, McCarthy, Pendlebury, Swan, Thomas, Wellingham
Hardingham (groin)InjuriesNil
  • This was the first pre-season Grand Final Essendon has mad since winning the title in 2000.

Home and Away season

Round 1

Round 1
Sunday, 27 March 1:10 pm Essendon def. Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,617) Report
3.4 (22)
9.12 (66)
13.15 (93)
16.17 (113)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
4.1 (25)
5.2 (32)
7.5 (47)
8.10 (58)
Umpires: Farmer, Kennedy, Findlay
Television broadcast: Fox Sports
Ryder, Watson, Monfries, Hurley, Stanton, Zaharakis 2
Crameri, Winderlich, McVeigh, Myers 1
Goals2 Hall, Giansiracusa
1 Djerrkura, Wood, Grant, Hill
Watson, Hille, Hocking, Stanton, Jetta, Melksham, Ryder, Heppell Best Murphy, Higgins, Ward, Picken, Markovic, Hudson
NilInjuries Wood (ankle)
  • This was James Hird's first game as coach of Essendon
Brownlow Votes

Round 2

Round 2
Sunday, 3 April 2:10 pm Sydney def. Essendon ANZ Stadium (crowd: 28,082) Report
1.5 (11)
6.8 (44)
10.11 (71)
14.14 (98)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
4.4 (28)
8.7 (55)
12.9 (81)
13.15 (93)
Umpires: Rosebury, Pannel, Jennings
Television broadcast: Channel 7
McGlynn, Bolton 3
White, Bevan 2
Goodes, Kennedy, Rohan, O’Keefe 1
Goals2 Ryder, Crameri, Winderlich, Hurley
1 Jetta, Davey, Hocking, McVeigh
Goodes, Bevan, Bolton, McGlynn, O’Keefe, Grundy, Hannebery Best Watson, Stanton, Hurley, Heppell, Bellchambers, Ryder, Davey
NilInjuries Hille (hip) replaced by Davey
Brownlow Votes

Round 3

Round 3
Sunday, 10 April 4:40 pm St Kilda def. by Essendon Etihad Stadium (crowd: 47,762) Report
5.3 (33)
7.5 (45)
8.9 (57)
12.12 (84)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
8.2 (50)
13.2 (80)
19.5 (119)
21.10 (136)
Umpires: Donlon, McBurney, Armstrong
Television broadcast: Channel 7
Riewoldt 3
Milne, Steven 2
Dal Santo, Fisher, Gram, Montagna, Stanley 1
Goals3 Hurley, Watson, Winderlich, Zaharakis
2 Howlett, Monfries, Ryder
1 Crameri, Jetta, Bellchambers
Gram, Dal Santo, Armitage, Fisher, Ray Best Watson, Hocking, Bellchambers, Ryder, Crameri, Hurley, Fletcher
Brownlow Votes

Round 4

Round 4
Saturday, 16 April 2:10 pm Carlton drew with Essendon MCG (crowd: 78,605) Report
0.2 (2)
4.9 (33)
6.13 (49)
11.13 (79)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.2 (20)
6.3 (39)
7.8 (50)
11.13 (79)
Umpires: Nicholls, Stewart, McBurney
Television broadcast: Channel 10 and One HD
Simpson 3
Waite, Garlett, Laidler, Curnow, Carrazzo, Murphy, Warnock, Yarran 1
Goals2 Jetta, Lonergan
1 Hurley, Bellchambers, Watson, Fletcher, Zaharakis, Stanton, Melksham
Murphy, Waite, Gibbs, Yarran, Robinson, Jaminson, Judd, Scotland Best Fletcher, Hooker, Zaharakis, Watson, Hardingham, Stanton
NilInjuries Winderlich (knee), Dempsey (knee)
  • The draw between Carlton and Essendon was the third of the season, and the third between the two sides since 1993. It also means that four of the last 12 games played at the MCG were drawn, and it is the first time since 1914 that there were three draws in the first four rounds of the season.
Brownlow Votes

Round 5

Round 5
Monday, 25 April 2:40 pm Essendon def. by Collingwood MCG (crowd: 89,626) Report
0.3 (3)
3.8 (26)
7.10 (52)
11.11 (77)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
4.2 (26)
7.3 (45)
10.6 (66)
16.11 (107)
Umpires: Chamberlain, Ryan, Findlay
Television broadcast: Channel 10 and One HD
Crameri 4
Hille, Zaharakis 2
Bellchambers, Watson, Jetta 1
Goals3 Cloke, Pendlebury
2 Beams, Dawes
1 Swan, Jolly, Didak, Ball, Brown, Sidebottom
Crameri, Heppell, Fletcher, Jetta, Bellchambers Best Pendlebury, Cloke, Davis, Shaw, Ball
Brownlow Votes


Anzac Medal

Round 6

Round 6
Sunday, 1 May 1:10 pm Essendon def. Gold Coast Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,710) Report
15.4 (94)
18.4 (112)
25.8 (158)
31.11 (197)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.1 (1)
5.3 (33)
7.5 (47)
8.10 (58)
Umpires: Ritchie, Ryan, Nicholls
Television broadcast: Fox Sports
Reimers 8
Monfries, Crameri 4
Ryder 3
Bellchambers, Lonergan, Zaharakis 2
Hille, Hocking, Howlett, Jetta, Stanton, Watson 1
Goals2 Iles, Matera
1 McKenzie, Rischitelli, Shaw, Smith
Reimers, Howlett, Watson, Lonergan, Ryder, Stanton, Zaharakis Best Ablett, Brennan, Swallow, Iles, Harbrow
  • Essendon's first quarter score of 15.4 (94) was the highest first quarter score of all time. [2]
  • Essendon's first quarter score of 15.4 (94) was the highest scoring of any quarter since 1919. [3]
  • Essendon's final score of 31.11 (197) was its highest since 2000, and its final winning margin of 139 points was its highest since 1989. [4]
  • Set Essendon's new largest winning margin at Docklands Stadium
Brownlow Votes

Ladder

2011 AFL ladder
PosTeamPldWLDPFPAPPPts
1 Collingwood 22202025921546167.780 Finals series
2 Geelong (P)22193025481619157.476
3 Hawthorn 22184023551634144.172
4 West Coast 22175022351715130.368
5 Carlton 22147122251700130.958
6 St Kilda 22129118911677112.850
7 Sydney 22129118971735109.350
8 Essendon 221110122172217100.046
9 North Melbourne 221012021062082101.240
10 Western Bulldogs 2291302060215595.636
11 Fremantle 2291301791215583.136
12 Richmond 2281312069239686.434
13 Melbourne 2281311974231585.334
14 Adelaide 2271501742219379.428
15 Brisbane Lions 2241801814224081.016
16 Port Adelaide 2231901718266364.512
17 Gold Coast 2231901534272656.312
Source: AFL ladder
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Ladder progression

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
GroundHAAAHHHAABHAHAHHAHHHAAHB
ResultWLWDLWWWLLLLLWWWLLWWLW
Position1666654345788108879987888
Source: Competitive Matches
A = Away; H = Home; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose

Tribunal cases

PlayerRoundCharge categoryLevelVerdictPoints [a] ResultVictimClubRef(s)
Mark Williams NAB CupStriking2Guilty70Reprimand Liam Jurrah Melbourne [5]
Cale Hooker 3WrestlingGuilty0$900 Nick Riewoldt St Kilda [6]
Nathan Lovett-Murray 7Negligent Umpire ContactGuilty0$900 Mathew Leppard [7]

Season Statistics

Home attendance

RoundOpponentAttendance
1 Western Bulldogs 42,617
5 Collingwood 89,626
6 Gold Coast 33,710
7 West Coast 33,631
11 Melbourne 53,077
13 North Melbourne 42,329
15 Geelong 43,806
16 Richmond 55,442
18 Carlton 74,123
20 Sydney 38,722
23 Port Adelaide 34,849
Total Attendance541,932
Average Attendance49,267

Season Financials

Annual Report 2011

Item$ (AUD)
Revenue$51,416,731
Membership & Reserved Seating$10,363,690
Gate Receipts$963,101
Marketing Revenue$15,532,108
Merchandise Revenue$2,563,026
Football Department Spend$18,510,078
Operating Profit/Loss$1,024,086
Total Profit/Loss$2,059,379

Notes

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References

  1. "ANZAC Medal voting breakdown". collingwoodfc.com.au. BigPond. 25 April 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  2. "Quarters & Halves". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  3. "Quarters & Halves". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  4. "Essendon — Game Records". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  5. "Williams, Wilson can accept reprimands". Brisbane Times. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  6. "Match Review Panel: full report". AFL BigPond Network. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.[ dead link ]
  7. "Match Review Panel: full report". AFL BigPond Network. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.[ dead link ]