Champion Data has Essendon ranked as the fourth best list in the AFL.

The Bombers performed below expectations in 2018, finishing 11th on the ladder after many had them pegged for finals in pre-season predictions.

Asked if Champion Data were bullish about Essendon rising sharply in 2019, Daniel Hoyne said there were plenty of positives surrounding the Bombers.

“We’ve got them as the fourth best list in the comp,” he said on Sportsday.

“They are very young. They are the second least experienced team and the fifth youngest in the competition.

“When I was looking at Essendon last year, I could totally understand why Essendon supporters were getting frustrated and upset with what was actually happening in the first two months of the year.

“It was’t all about last year. It’s all about setting up sustained success.

“They get Dylan Shiel, another 25-year-old, adds to that age bracket. He’s going to be there for five, six, seven years.

“They’ve got each third of the ground covered at the moment.”

Listen to Hoyne on the Bombers below: