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Bomber Barracks Daily news on the Mighty Bombers for the Red and Black Army

Injury Update: Relief in Sight for the BombersEssendon’s injury list finally has some positive news, with several key pl...
23/06/2026

Injury Update: Relief in Sight for the Bombers

Essendon’s injury list finally has some positive news, with several key players edging closer to a return.

Andrew McGrath and Jye Caldwell have both recovered and are available for selection this weekend, providing a welcome boost to the midfield.

Darcy Parish and Isaac Kako have returned to full training and are expected to be available pending they get through Thursday’s main session.

There’s more good news at VFL level, with Vigo Visentini, Matt Guelfi and Angus Clarke all expected to return to action this weekend as they complete the final stages of their rehab.

The injury list hasn’t escaped unscathed though. Kyle Langford is set to miss the next 2-3 weeks with a quad strain, while Archie Roberts remains sidelined after his shoulder dislocation but is progressing strongly and is targeting a return in the coming weeks.

With several experienced players returning and others not far away, the Bombers may finally be starting to see some light at the end of the injury tunnel.

Which returning Bomber will have the biggest impact on the run home? 🔴⚫️

Toby Greene to Essendon?Cal Twomey says Essendon’s preference was actually Lachie Neale as a Hodge-style experienced on-...
22/06/2026

Toby Greene to Essendon?

Cal Twomey says Essendon’s preference was actually Lachie Neale as a Hodge-style experienced on-field leader.

Personally, Neale doesn’t really scream that type of captain to me.

Then Greene gets mentioned and, while he’s a superstar and fierce competitor, I’m not sure “on-field leader” is the first thing that comes to mind there either.

Am I missing something, Bomber fans?

Who fits the brief better: Neale, Greene, or should Essendon back the leaders already on the list?

Bomber fans - The Bomber Barracks contract poll is complete.More than 5,000 votes were cast, with supporters asked a si...
20/06/2026

Bomber fans - The Bomber Barracks contract poll is complete.

More than 5,000 votes were cast, with supporters asked a simple question:

Which out-of-contract Bombers would you keep?

🥇 Will Setterfield – 725 votes (14%)
🥈 Tom Edwards – 723 votes (14%)
🥉 Elijah Tsatas – 645 votes (13%)

4️⃣ Jaxon Prior – 580 votes (11%)
5️⃣ Archie Perkins – 499 votes (10%)
6️⃣ Jayden Nguyen – 405 votes (8%)
7️⃣ Kayle Gerreyn – 405 votes (8%)
8️⃣ Nik Cox – 292 votes (5%)
9️⃣ Saad El-Hawli – 250 votes (5%)
🔟 Liam McMahon – 161 votes (3%)
1️⃣1️⃣ Rhys Unwin – 145 votes (2%)
1️⃣2️⃣ Matt Guelfi – 74 votes (1%)
1️⃣3️⃣ Jade Gresham – 28 votes (

Bomber fans - Will Setterfield is out of contract at season’s end.In fact, if not for Nic Martin’s injury, he would not ...
19/06/2026

Bomber fans - Will Setterfield is out of contract at season’s end.

In fact, if not for Nic Martin’s injury, he would not even have been on the list.

Yet here we are.

With Darcy Parish’s latest injury, Setterfield has come in and reminded everyone exactly what he offers: size, pressure, tackling and a willingness to do the hard stuff around stoppages.

The interesting part?

Parish’s 2026 numbers are actually better.

He averages 26 disposals, 5.3 clearances and 366 metres gained per game. Setterfield sits at 23.7 disposals and 4 clearances from his opportunities.

On the stat sheet, Parish wins.

But football isn’t played on spreadsheets.

Setterfield brings a defensive edge, physicality and flexibility that this midfield doesn’t always have. He can tag, he can scrap and he is that perfect demographic of size and age to help the kids.

Parish is contracted until the end of 2029. He tried to get out last year but zero takers…with young guys coming through that are way more dynamic do we offer to pay part salary to move him on?

Setterfield is fighting for a list spot.

If you could only keep one beyond this season, what are you doing?

Keeping Setterfield?

Backing Parish?

Or is there room for both?

Follow Bomber Barracks for more Essendon discussion. Respectful debate always welcome.

16/06/2026

Bomber fans - Tim says what we all are thinking here…but…

Why is he commenting? Because Jay Clark, pretend journalist, said it appears Andrew Welsh might want Dean Solomon. Pulitzer Prize stuff that.

Welsh has done a great job keeping his mouth shut. We live rent free in so many peoples heads they gotta write something.

So far Welsh has passed the test. Let’s wait and see hey.

FWIW, and just my opinion, there’s zero chance he just appoints Solomon, and even with a process I just can’t see it…

Bomber fans - How good was yesterday watching the Socceroos?And before anyone points it out — yes, I know this isn’t an ...
15/06/2026

Bomber fans - How good was yesterday watching the Socceroos?

And before anyone points it out — yes, I know this isn’t an Essendon player.

The reason I posted it is because that goal, and the performance around it, got me thinking.

I tuned into that game with zero expectations. What I saw was a rock-hard, incredibly fit and disciplined side. Not the most talented team in the tournament. Not the most skilled.

Just the most committed to the system.

Popovic took them into a longer camp than any other nation. He drilled a game plan, set standards and got complete buy-in.

He then picked 10 starters who had never started a World Cup match before.

Unheard of.

So what does this have to do with Essendon?

Maybe more than we think.

It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change when a coach has clarity, players buy in, and everyone understands their role. Success doesn’t always come from having the biggest names. Sometimes it comes from having the most connected group.

That’s why I’m still hopeful about 2027.

A new coach. A new game plan. A young list that has already been forced to blood talent through injury.

No, I’m not saying we’re suddenly becoming contenders.

But if the Socceroos taught us anything yesterday, it’s that things can turn faster than people think when belief meets discipline.

Am I dreaming, or is there a lesson there for Essendon?

Bomber fans - Elijah Tsatas got smashed for his game yesterday.So let’s play a game.One of these stat lines belongs to a...
13/06/2026

Bomber fans - Elijah Tsatas got smashed for his game yesterday.

So let’s play a game.

One of these stat lines belongs to a 30-year-old A-grader.

One belongs to a 21-year-old midfielder still learning his craft.

Tell me which one is Elijah Tsatas.

Player A
🔹 32 disposals
🔹 7 contested possessions
🔹 75% disposal efficiency
🔹 24 uncontested possessions

Player B
🔹 22 disposals
🔹 7 contested possessions
🔹 82% disposal efficiency
🔹 15 uncontested possessions

Have your guess before reading on.

…

Player A was Zach Merrett.

Player B was Elijah Tsatas.

Now before anyone loses their mind, this isn’t saying Tsatas is as good as Merrett.

He’s not.

Were some of his mistakes dreadful? Absolutely.

Did he miss a gettable shot? Yep.

Does his kicking still need work? 100%.

Can he look vulnerable defensively at times? Definitely.

But some of the reaction yesterday was completely over the top.

The same people who spent two years demanding he be picked now seem ready to write him off after every mistake.

He’s 21 years old and finally getting a genuine run at AFL level.

Maybe go back and watch some of his in-close work from yesterday.

There was more good in that game than many want to admit.

As for the game itself, let’s not pretend inaccurate kicking was the only issue.

Yes, we could have won if we’d kicked straighter.

But we also could have won if we’d actually matched Melbourne at the contest.

🔹 Clearances: 38-29
🔹 Centre Clearances: 13-8
🔹 Contested Possessions: 140-108

That is where the game was won and lost.

Our overall disposal was horrific and our kicking efficiency was reportedly sitting around 29% midway through the second quarter.

Yes, we looked a different side in the third quarter.

But let’s not kid ourselves.

Melbourne took the foot off the pedal and with 10 minutes to go in the last, put it straight back on again.

What it did show was what this side is capable of when it moves the ball with confidence and actually takes the game on.

Let’s leave the players alone for a minute and look at the bigger picture.

We’re 18th for a reason.

We’re clearly not as good as the better sides in the competition right now.

What I can’t work out is how our disposal and goal kicking have become so poor.

Is this simply a football team completely bereft of confidence?

I’d say so.

The bye has come at a merciful time for all of us.

Take a breath, enjoy the week off and hopefully we see a more competitive Essendon over the final third of the season.

Go Bombers. ❤️🖤

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Disappointing loss, with fundamentals just not up to scratch. Showed a little bit in second half but a long way to go. T...
13/06/2026

Disappointing loss, with fundamentals just not up to scratch.

Showed a little bit in second half but a long way to go. They just toyed with us and put the foot down again when needed.

Sharp, Cox, Day-Wicks really good signs. Setterfield excellent again.

Vent away, keep it respectful.

More tomorrow…Go Dons ❤️🖤

GAME DAY, BOMBER FANS.Today we face Melbourne again.We’ve beaten them once. Why not again?The forecast is ugly. Wet. Win...
12/06/2026

GAME DAY, BOMBER FANS.

Today we face Melbourne again.

We’ve beaten them once. Why not again?

The forecast is ugly. Wet. Windy. Proper Melbourne footy. It probably suits us a little too, because Melbourne are not a high scoring side as a rule..

Are we too tall? Maybe.

Does it really matter?

Not as much as this: contest, contest, contest, contest, contest.

Melbourne are a much better side than us on paper right now. If we’re going to win, it won’t be because we’re more talented.

It’ll be because we outwork them. Spread.

Keep the game tight. Stay in the fight until the rain arrives. Make every contest ugly. Give ourselves a chance in the last quarter.

The boys will believe they can win.

That’s a pretty good start.

Will we win?

Who knows.

Will I get absolutely soaked at the MCG?

Almost certainly.

Do I care?

Not one bit.

Because it’s game day.

It’s the day we get behind the boys.

It’s the day we choose hope over reality, belief over doubt, and red and black over everything else.

A huge congratulations to Mason Redman on 150 games.

When I think of Red Dog, I think of him charging off half-back and launching one from 55. Let’s hope he lets one fly tonight and celebrates accordingly.

Maybe it’ll even be the match winner.

For now, park the negativity.

There’ll be plenty of time for frustration tomorrow if it’s needed.

Today is about backing the boys.

Whether you’re at the ground, at the pub, or on the couch, wear the colours with pride.

GO DONS. ❤️🖤

Can the Bombers make it two from two against Melbourne this year?

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