After 11 rounds of the 2022 AFL season we reach the first of three bye rounds, with six clubs handed a week's break to assess their season and move onto the final stretch.

Carlton, Essendon, GWS, Port Adelaide, Richmond and St Kilda are scheduled for their bye this weekend, giving us the perfect time to critique and grade their campaigns to date.

We put the microscope over each of the aforementioned clubs season's and name their MVP, best win and worst loss at the midway mark of this year in part one of our mid-season report cards.

These gradings factor in pre-season expectations and form across the opening 11 rounds of the year.

Back
Next

Essendon

Grade: D-
W-L Record: 2-9
Percentage: 73.5%

You could have labelled last season's finals finish as an anomaly for the Bombers prior to the first ball being bounced in 2022, but nobody saw their nightmare run on the cards.

The Bombers endured a difficult start to their season in what was arguably the toughest five rounds of the season, facing losses to Geelong, Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle to begin their 2022 campaign at 1-4.

Two more defeats at the hands of Collingwood and the Bulldogs suddenly had Ben Rutten's side chalking up their sixth loss in seven weeks, before a tantalising come-from-behind victory over Hawthorn sparked some hope for the Dons.

After having some pep in their step, Essendon were soon tripped by the Swans in an outing that was highlighted as the low point in their season.

Having laid a deplorable 30 tackles for the game and a disposal rate of 36.7% inside 50, a near-insurmountable amount of pressure had been placed on the club's shoulders.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Ben Hobbs and Dyson Heppell of the Bombers look dejected after a loss during the 2022 AFL Round 05 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on April 17, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Despite the disastrous start to the year, there have been some highlights for the Bombers in 2022, with SSP recruit Nic Martin having arguably been the club's best performer in the opening half of the season.

Spearhead Peter Wright has been prominent in Essendon's attack despite their ability to low points total throughout 11 rounds.

Their upcoming bye round will hopefully act as time where they get the train back on track, with an outing against the Blues the perfect chance to turn some heads and earn some honour.

MVP: Darcy Parish (71 votes)
Best Win: Round 8 vs Hawthorn
Worst Loss: Round 9 vs Sydney

Back
Next