2025 Essendon Football Club season

Last updated

The 2025 Essendon Football Club season is the 127th season of the Essendon Football Club playing in the Australian Football League (AFL) and the club's 151st season overall. [1] [2] The club is also fielding reserves teams in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and VFL Women's (VFLW), and will field a team in the AFL Women's (AFLW). [3] [4]

Contents

AFL

Practice matches

Date and local timeOpponentScores(Essendon's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendanceRef.
HomeAwayResult
Saturday, 15 February (2:00pm) Western Bulldogs 8.10 (58)11.11 (77)Won by 19 points Mission Whitten Oval – [5] [6]
Tuesday, 24 February (7.10pm) Geelong 12.11 (83)17.2 (104)Won by 21 points GMHBA Stadium 11,626 [7] [8]

Home-and-away season

RdDate and local timeOpponentScores(Essendon's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendancePositionRef.
HomeAwayResult
OR Saturday, 8 March (4:15pm) Gold Coast Match postponed People First Stadium –8th Steady2.svg
1 Friday, 14 March (7:40pm) Hawthorn 17.9 (111)12.13 (85)Lost by 26 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 80,73514th Decrease2.svg
2 Friday, 14 March (7:40pm) Adelaide 15.10 (100)25.11 (161)Lost by 61 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 46,68816th Decrease2.svg
3 Thursday, 27 March (7:30pm) Port Adelaide 9.18 (72)8.12 (60)Won by 12 points Marvel Stadium 25,11414th Increase2.svg
4 Bye 14th Steady2.svg
5 Saturday, 12 April (7:05pm) Melbourne 8.9 (57)15.6 (96)Won by 39 points Adelaide Oval 45,03913th Increase2.svg
6 Friday, 18 April (4:10pm) West Coast 11.9 (75)11.11 (77)Won by 2 points Optus Stadium 46,08011th Increase2.svg
7 Friday, 25 April (3:20pm) Collingwood 16.11 (107)10.6 (66)Lost by 41 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 92,04412th Decrease2.svg
8 Thursday, 1 May (7:30pm) North Melbourne 9.11 (65)9.8 (62)Won by 3 points Marvel Stadium 35,439 [9]
9 Saturday, 10 May (4:15pm) Sydney Marvel Stadium

Ladder

Updated to North Melbourne v Fremantle (round 14).

PosTeam
PldWLDPFPAPPPtsQualification
1 Collingwood 1311201197893134.044Finals series
2 Geelong 14104014261066133.840
3 Brisbane Lions 1494112241109110.438
4 Adelaide 1495013571004135.236
5 Hawthorn 1495011971073111.636
6 Gold Coast 128401114904123.232
7 Greater Western Sydney 1486011881104107.632
8 Fremantle 1385010861019106.632
9 Western Bulldogs 1376013421051127.728
10 Essendon 13670947120078.924
11 Carlton 12570967935103.420
12 Sydney 135801004111490.120
13 Melbourne 135801023115988.320
14 St Kilda 135801053119987.820
15 Port Adelaide 12570901110681.520
16 North Melbourne 133911003124480.614
17 Richmond 133100853122969.412
18 West Coast 131120892136565.34
Source: afl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for

VFL

2025 VFL season
PMvESS5.jpg
Essendon playing Port Melbourne in round 4
Coach Cameron Joyce
Captain(s) Xavier O'Neill
Home ground
←  2024
2026  →

On 4 February 2025, Essendon VFL coach Dale Tapping died, two years after he was diagnosed with myeloma, an aggressive form of blood cancer. [10] [11] Essendon had appointed Tapping as its VFL coach for the 2025 season only several months prior on 11 October 2024. [12] He had previously served as Collingwood's VFL coach from 2013 until the end of the 2016 season, and was named VFL Coach of the Year in 2016. [13] [14]

Cameron Joyce, who coached Gold Coast in the AFL Women's (AFLW) from 2022 season 6 until he was dismissed at the end of the 2024 season, was announced as Essendon's new VFL coach on 24 February 2025. [15] [16]

Essendon's round 5 match against Collingwood was rescheduled from a 2:05pm start at Windy Hill to 7:10pm at ETU Stadium in order for it to be shown live on 7mate as part of a new broadcast rights deal with the Seven Network. [17] [18]

Playing squad

No.PlayerVFL debutCommunity club2025 playing statisticsTotal VFL statisticsRef
GamesGBKHDMTGamesGoals
50 Jackson Hately 2024 [19] St Bernard's (VAFA)
51Will Hoare 2022 [20] Pascoe Vale (EDFL)
52Ricky Monti (D) 2022 [21] Golden Square (BFNL)
53 Jack Peris 2022 [22] Seymour (GVFNL)
54Hamish Sinnott (D) 2022 [23] Camperdown (HFNL)
55 Xavier O'Neill 2024 [19] Blackburn (EFNL)
56Shane Clough (D) 2025 [24] Gisborne (BFNL)
57Noah Scott (D)– Pascoe Vale (EDFL)
58Jared Eckersley (D) 2022 Pascoe Vale (EDFL)
59Dayten Uerata (D)– Sandhurst (BFNL)
60Ryan Brodie (D) 2024 [25] Strathmore (EDFL)
61Riley Leedham (D)– Greenvale (EDFL)
62Mahmoud Taha (D) 2023 [26] Pascoe Vale (EDFL)
63 Oskar Smartt (D) 2024 [19] Colac (GFNL)
64Domanic Akuei 2022 St Mary's (NFNL)
65Cam Nyko (D) 2024 [27] Montmorency (NFNL)

Source: [28] [29]
(D) Development list

Playing squad changes

Departures

PlayerDateReasonNew clubRef
Amin Naim18 October 2024Club change Northern Bullants [30]
Charlie Bolmat21 October 2024Club change Northern Bullants [31]
James Barrat 21 November 2024 AFL drafted St Kilda (AFL) [32]
Ryan Eyre2 December 2024Club change Collingwood [33]
Kane Loftus6 February 2025VFL departure University Blacks (VAFA) [34]
Noah Caracella3 March 2025VFL departure Newtown & Chilwell (GFNL) [35]
Luca Alessio11 March 2025VFL departure St Bernard's (VAFA) [36]
Oscar Duncan11 March 2025VFL departure [36]
Malik Gordon11 March 2025VFL departure Strathfieldsaye (BFNL) [36]
Macca Hallows11 March 2025VFL departure Pascoe Vale (EDFL) [36]
Jack Jedwab11 March 2025VFL departure Romsey (RDFNL) [36]
Michael Kiraly11 March 2025Club change Collingwood [36]

Practice matches

Date and local timeOpponentScores(Essendon's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendanceRef
HomeAwayResult
Saturday, 15 February (5:00pm) Footscray 13.12 (90)11.4 (70)Lost by 20 points Mission Whitten Oval – [37] [38]
Tuesday, 24 February Geelong 9.13 (67)12.12 (84)Won by 17 points GMHBA Stadium – [39]
Saturday, 8 March Collingwood 14.12 (96)8.13 (61)Won by 35 points NEC Hangar – [40]
Friday, 14 March Box Hill 11.8 (74)18.7 (115)Lost by 41 points NEC Hangar – [41] [42]
Saturday, 12 April Box Hill 8.6 (54)8.7 (55)Lost by 1 point NEC Hangar – [43] [44]

Home-and-away season

RdDate and local timeOpponentScores(Essendon's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendancePositionRef
HomeAwayResult
1 Saturday, 22 March (3:05pm) Williamstown 14.10 (94)12.11 (83)Won by 11 points NEC Hangar –7th Steady2.svg [45]
2 Saturday, 29 March (11:05am) Werribee 11.12 (78)7.13 (55)Lost by 23 points NEC Hangar –12th Decrease2.svg [46]
3 Bye 14th Decrease2.svg [47]
4 Saturday, 19 April (7:10pm) Port Melbourne 7.13 (55)9.17 (71)Won by 16 points ETU Stadium –10th Increase2.svg [48]
5 Saturday, 26 April (7:10pm) Collingwood 12.16 (88)18.11 (119)Lost by 31 points ETU Stadium –14th Decrease2.svg [49]
6 Friday, 2 May (2:05pm) North Melbourne 10.13 (73)12.11 (83)Lost by 10 points Windy Hill –15th Decrease2.svg [50]
7 Saturday, 10 May (11:05am) Sydney 16.11 (107)5.12 (42)Won by 65 points Windy Hill –11th Increase2.svg [51]
8 Bye 12th Decrease2.svg
9 Saturday, 24 May (7:10pm) Richmond 10.14 (74)7.10 (52)Lost by 22 points Kinetic Stadium –15th Decrease2.svg
10 Friday, 30 May (12:05pm) Brisbane 18.11 (119)15.9 (99)Lost by 20 points Brighton Homes Arena –15th Steady2.svg
11 Sunday, 8 June (2:05pm) Carlton 8.6 (54)10.12 (72)Lost by 18 points Windy Hill –17th Decrease2.svg
12 Saturday, 14 June (7:10pm) Casey 17.10 (110)12.11 (83)Lost by 29 points ETU Stadium –

Ladder

PosTeam
PldWLDPFPAPPPts
15 Carlton (R) 945070675893.116
16 Port Melbourne 9351684658104.014
17 Essendon (R) 936069372595.612
18 Gold Coast (R) 926171177392.010
19 Sandringham 917155483566.36
Updated to match(es) played on 9 June 2025. Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for
(R) = Club is the reserves team of a senior club of the Australian Football League

VFLW

Home-and-away season

RdDate and local timeOpponentScores(Essendon's scores indicated in bold)VenueAttendancePositionRef.
HomeAwayResult
1 Saturday, 19 April (4:05pm) Port Melbourne 7.7 (49)4.6 (30)Lost by 19 points ETU Stadium –8th Steady2.svg
2 Saturday, 26 April (11:05am) Collingwood 10.4 (64)3.6 (24)Won by 40 points Windy Hill –4th Increase2.svg
3 Saturday, 3 May (11:05am) North Melbourne Werribee 5.5 (35)4.8 (32)Won by 3 points Windy Hill –7th Decrease2.svg
4 Saturday, 10 May (2:35pm) Carlton Windy Hill

Ladder

PosTeam
PldWLDPFPAPPPtsQualification
1 North Melbourne Werribee 7520320187171.120Finals series
2 Box Hill 7520353224157.620
3 Essendon 7520309229134.920
4 Williamstown 7520219171128.120
5 Port Melbourne 7421273174156.918
Updated to match(es) played on 1 June 2025. Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

References

  1. ↑ Barnes, Josh (26 December 2024). "Essendon season 2025 preview: Josh Barnes breaks down where the Bombers sit". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  2. ↑ Meyers, HB (20 January 2025). "The Big Questions – 2025 Essendon Season Preview". The Mongrel Punt. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "From the CEO: Vozzo's in-depth preview for 2025". Essendon Football Club. 3 March 2025. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  4. ↑ Faulkner, Will (12 March 2025). "Essendon's enigma could soon be explained... but there's a result fans 'can't benignly accept'". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "Full house: Dogs v Dons sold out". Western Bulldogs. 7 February 2025. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  6. ↑ Black, Sarah (15 February 2025). "Bombers SSP hopeful produces ultimate audition, big Dog stars". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  7. ↑ "The First Look: AAMI Community Series Practice Match". Geelong Football Club. 20 February 2025. Archived from the original on 11 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  8. ↑ Gabelich, Josh (25 February 2025). "Dons go wacko for Kako as young forwards light up GMHBA". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  9. ↑ McWilliams, Phoebe (1 May 2025). "Bombers scrape home against fast finishing Roos". Essendon Football Club. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "Essendon VFL senior coach Dale Tapping dies following myeloma illness". ABC News. 4 February 2024. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  11. ↑ "Vale Dale Tapping". Prahran Football Club. 4 February 2025. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  12. ↑ Smith, Martin (4 February 2025). "Vale, Dale Tapping: 'Outstanding' coach dies after cancer battle". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  13. ↑ "Dale Tapping". Demonwiki. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  14. ↑ "Vale Dale Tapping". Essendon Football Club. 4 February 2025. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  15. ↑ Beveridge, Riley (2 December 2024). "Suns sack AFLW coach Joyce after missing finals". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  16. ↑ "Suns sack AFLW coach Joyce, captain Bohanna wants trade". ESPN. 2 December 2024. Archived from the original on 9 December 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  17. ↑ "Bombers' 2025 VFL, VFLW fixtures confirmed". Essendon Football Club. 27 February 2025. Archived from the original on 5 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  18. ↑ "Saturday night lights to shine on VFL". AFL.com.au. 17 March 2025. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 "TEAMS: Smithy's VFL Round 1". AFL.com.au. 22 March 2024. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "VFL: Hoare re-signs for 2025". Essendon Football Club. 19 December 2024. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "GIANTS and Sandringham Play Out Thrilling VFL Draw". GWS GIANTS. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  22. ↑ Clark, Jackson (15 January 2025). "Jack Peris joins Essendon's VFL team for 2024". National Indigenous Times. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  23. ↑ Filippo, Cristian (11 June 2023). "VFL team news: Five changes for Round 12". Carlton Football Club. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  24. ↑ Rhodes, Brendan (21 March 2025). "TEAMS: Smithy's VFL Round 1". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  25. ↑ Rhodes, Brendan (31 May 2024). "TEAMS: Smithy's VFL Round 10". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  26. ↑ "VFL: Rd 19 team v Sydney". Essendon Football Club. 28 July 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  27. ↑ Rhodes, Brendan (19 April 2024). "TEAMS: Smithy's VFL Round 4". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  28. ↑ "VFL: 2025 squad". Essendon Football Club. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  29. ↑ Keating, Mitch (6 March 2025). "Every VFL playing list for the 2025 season – Essendon". ZeroHanger. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  30. ↑ Amy, Paul [@PaulAmy375] (14 October 2024). "VFL: another good pick-up for the Northern Bullants. They've nabbed young Amin Naim, who booted 39 goals from 19 games for Strathmore this year" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025– via Twitter.
  31. ↑ Northern Bullants FC [@NBullantsFC] (21 October 2024). "We would like to welcome Charlie Bolmat, who comes over from Essendon VFL" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025– via Twitter.
  32. ↑ "Pick swaps galore as Saints add four more at 2024 Draft". St Kilda Football Club. 21 November 2024. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  33. ↑ Collingwood FC VFL [@CollingwoodVFL] (2 December 2024). "Ryan Eyre is ready to take to the skies ✈️ We've signed the athletic defender for season 2025! 🙌" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025– via Twitter.
  34. ↑ King, Tom (6 February 2025). "Saints lose speedster". K ROCK 95.5. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  35. ↑ King, Tom (3 March 2025). "Falcons squads confirmed". K ROCK 95.5. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rhodes, Brendan (11 March 2025). "2025 Smithy's VFL playing lists". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  37. ↑ "VFL practice match v Bulldogs: Details, streaming information". Essendon Football Club. 14 February 2025. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  38. ↑ "VFL match report: Bombers get through first practice game". Essendon Football Club. 17 February 2025. Archived from the original on 6 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  39. ↑ "VFL match report: Final term blitz secures Dons' practice match win". Essendon Football Club. 26 February 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  40. ↑ "VFL match report: Youngsters shine in practice game win". Essendon Football Club. 9 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  41. ↑ "VFL practice match team selection: Dons taking on Box Hill at NEC Hangar". Essendon Football Club. 14 March 2025. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  42. ↑ "VFL match report: Dons complete pre-season schedule". Essendon Football Club. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  43. ↑ Box Hill Hawks [@BoxHillHawks] (12 April 2025). "So, we won! The scoreboard read 54-apiece at the final siren, but following a chat between umpires it was adjusted to reflect a one-point Stangs victory" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025– via Twitter.
  44. ↑ "VFL match report: Dons draw with Hawks in modified practice match". Essendon Football Club. 12 April 2025. Archived from the original on 12 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  45. ↑ "VFL match report: Bombers open campaign with thrilling win over Gulls". Essendon Football Club. 22 March 2025. Archived from the original on 23 March 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  46. ↑ "VFL Match report: Bombers come up short despite strong start". Essendon Football Club. 29 March 2025. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  47. ↑ "Around the state leagues: Swan stars on return, Roo fires, dropped Pie responds". AFL.com.au. 6 April 2025. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  48. ↑ "VFL Match Report: Bombers storm home for impressive win over Borough". Essendon Football Club. 21 April 2025. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  49. ↑ "VFL match report: Pies finish stronger under lights". Essendon Football Club. 27 April 2025. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  50. ↑ "VFL match report: Bombers fall short against Roos". Essendon Football Club. 3 May 2025. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  51. ↑ "VFL match report: Bombers run rampant in big win over Swans". Essendon Football Club. 11 May 2025. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
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