One team from last year was playing under exceptional circumstances and the list management and coaching development had to adjust accordingly.

Through the maelstrom that was, we lost Stewart Crameri, Patrick Ryder, Michael Hibberd and Jake Melksham. It’s impossible to read where the team would be. So how do you get through that and not only remain competitive but also secure 7th position the following year?

Right now there are 11 teams behind Essendon, just wishing they were in the Bombers position.

Stability comes in many forms. The senior player leadership has been significant starting with Brendon Goddard’s role as Captain through that period, the leadership of Chief Executive Xavier Campbell, the persistence and support of an expanding membership base and of course the calm, balanced and measured performance from a strong Coach.

While things started to grow off the field in 2016 with sponsors returning, it was interesting what happened on the field. The wooden spoon must be recorded with an asterisk because the recruiting and performances provided hope. When you have hope and vison, people will come to games, renew membership and continue to support.

The 2016 team provided hope. Good on them. They gave people a reason to believe.

To quote one of the great movies; Field of Dreams...

"If you build it, they will come”

So on and off the field Essendon continued to build throughout 2016 and somewhat unfairly history will record a grossly unfair 3-19 win/loss ratio. Despite the absence of senior talent, Essendon people saw an image of the future and one they were prepared to support.

The AFL is full of clubs that have gone to the bottom and suffered decline in membership and sponsorship. Part of it may well be the protest vote. Maybe (as my family did) it was just a financial contribution of support to buy a membership. Some naturally deserted the ship and they have every right to do that. They were hurt, angry and no doubt disillusioned with football and maybe even Essendon.

I went through those phases myself. It was not the Essendon that guided, nurtured and taught me. It took me a long time to forgive the harm that was inflicted on a great institution. On the weekend, I took my boys Ben and Jack into the rooms for the first time in many years. It was not about me. I wanted them to feel what ‘Essendon’ feels like.

We have not always had great teams, but we have always had a great Club.

It felt like a great Club.

Thanks @EssendonFC for inviting Ben and Jack in after the game so the boys could meet their heroes. Memories that will stay with them. pic.twitter.com/sjbgMA3jqe — Robert Shaw (@shawry_analyst) August 27, 2017

Throughout last year, the ageing ‘Pops’ Kelly found his footy boots that he dropped off at the Geelong tip. Michael Hartley drove down Bell St from Coburg City Oval. Adam Cooney oiled up his rusty knees and had a big go. Mathew Stokes gave some guidance to Orazio Fantasia. Matt Dea bounced back after being sacked by Richmond. Mitch Brown offered defensive and forward coverage. Leuenberger and the Big Russian Jamar toiled in the ruck.

Supporters saw the future in the likes of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Darcy Parish. BJ argued, gesticulated and growled … because he cared. Paddy Ambrose improved. Joe Daniher and Zach Merrett were one year away from becoming All Australians.

Some are still on the list, while some have moved on. But don’t ever forget the 2016 playing group. They stood in front of a massive ‘tidal wave’ and never wavered.

With the players coming back for the 2017 campaign, it was again into the unknown. In my opinion, the group gelled quickly, mainly because they have actually played a lot of football with each other. But there were some that shook hands at pre-season for the first time.

The team recorded great wins over Hawthorn and Brisbane to start the year 2-0. Two wins against the Pies, including ANZAC Day, brilliant performances against Geelong, West Coast, Port Adelaide and the Saints.

The demoralising loss to the Swans in Sydney showed the team’s best was right in the mix. There were unexplained losses to Fremantle, Carlton and Brisbane and narrow losses to GWS and Richmond that, to put it bluntly, cost Essendon a crack at a top six position. There was little margin for error but now there is no use crying over what could have or should have been.

We can, instead, talk about the players that have emerged/continued to emerge (Daniher, Merrett, Hurley, Fantasia, McGrath), the significant moments in the season (round one, ANZAC Day, farewelling our champions) and maybe even what the next few seasons look like, regardless of what transpires over the next few weeks.

When Adrian Dodoro visited me at Brighton Grammar a year ago we naturally discussed our student/player Andrew McGrath. I had to be professional and curtail my enthusiasm. Deep down I so wanted Andrew to go to Essendon. I really wanted Essendon people to enjoy this young man’s talents. Bloody Adrian gave me nothing and like you, I sat in suspense on that Draft Day.

A year on and McGrath is a favourite for the Rising Star and the Bombers had three All Australian selections, which is a great result.

The continual improvement of Hurley, Daniher, Merrett and Fantasia together with the respectful retirements of Watson, Stanton and ‘the Geelong flyer’ Kelly were significant positives. There is also the projection a $4 million profit and hopefully our own AFLW team. More than one million people watched Essendon play during the home and away season and along the way we broke our membership record. We’ve gone from last to seventh, even though its deceptive, but it means so many boxes have been ticked.

However, what price team success? While this group remains steadfast on making its own history, the elephant in the room is twofold:

- The Swans in Sydney. From 2000 -2017 they have played in 15 finals series out of 18. They are the finals specialists. There is no tougher place to go and win a final.

- Essendon’s last finals win was in 2004. Maybe given what the Dons have been through, they probably wouldn’t want it any other way … a little bit of adversity.

It comes down to this.

One FINAL box to tick, in a most inhospitable environment. Tough? Ask the blokes that spent 2016 training at St. Bernard’s with one flat football.

Expect to win. Play well. Put pressure on the opposition.

Win finals … don’t be a participant … and be satisfied.

Robert Shaw’s in depth match preview will be published on the website next week.