Jye Caldwell says team has “great talent” despite potential record-breaking losing streak
Essendon tenacious midfielder Jye Caldwell says the Bombers are “not rebuilding” and believes the list can perform much better than they did in the first three rounds.
The Bombers, who are second-last in the standings and winless, face the daunting task of matching this weekend the in-form Western Bulldogs, who are unbeaten and second in the table after beating three of last year’s finalists in their first three games.
A defeat to the Bulldogs would match the club’s undesirable record of 17 consecutive defeats, but Caldwell was not ready to accept that the club was in the process of rebuilding despite a record-breaking debut in an injury-ravaged 2025 season that saw 15 players make their AFL debut in Essendon colours.
While three top-flight players have debuted for the Bombers this season, Sullivan Robey, the first pick in the 2025 national draft, is certain to burst onto the scene at some point, but it’s not expected to be this week.
Caldwell was one of 14 selections in Essendon’s first round draft against North Melbourne. There were four other first-round picks on the list who did not play.
“[We are] I’m definitely not rebuilding. We have great talent and a great roster. We can’t deliver that right now, which is disappointing,” Caldwell said.
The “it” Caldwell is talking about is the pressure needed to win the ball back and prevent opponents from waltzing from end to end.
Since the start of 2025, Essendon has been last in terms of defensive ability against the opposition’s No. 50 striker. Essendon had 50 inside 50 rebounds for a 32.9% rebound rate compared to rival leader Adelaide, who rebounded 21.3%.
In the same period, they are in last place in terms of scoring when the opponent’s forward rebounds from the 50, and 14.9 percent of the opponent’s rebounds result in a score. The Crows concede goals at a rate of 8 percent.
Essendon also conceded 460 points to their opponents in all three matches; This is the most opponent points recorded by Champion Data over a three-round stretch.
Caldwell said the Bombers’ ability to transition from offense to defense and offense to defense wasn’t where it needed to be to match the opposition, but claimed it could improve quickly if the pressure increased.
“It’s not just one thing, especially as the game goes so fast, up and back. Your attack determines your defence, and your defense determines your attack,” Caldwell said at the launch of the 2026 Anzac Appeal ahead of next month’s Anzac Day clash against Collingwood.
“It’s probably due to our setup behind the ball. Our reaction time is not good right now.”
Caldwell also said the pressure around the ball was below average. Essendon made 22 forward-50 tackles in the first three rounds.
“It’s an easy fix. It’s not a structural thing. Our intention is probably to get back to that and put pressure on our front half to be able to defend better,” he said.
He noted signs of improvement in that area against the Kangaroos but conceded the Bulldogs were tough opponents.
“It’s going to be hard to stop them, but we’ll definitely be ready for it,” Caldwell said.
“You can be sad and miserable, or you can be up and seizing the opportunities in front of you.”
Not once have the players mentioned the possibility of setting a new club record for consecutive losses, but Caldwell is aware that is a label the group would like to avoid.
“None of us talked about it,” Caldwell said. “[You] I probably don’t want to break this record. Frankly, it is not a good record to break.”
Unfortunately for Caldwell, defending Essendon’s performance is currently more difficult than defending the opposition. But he fought the good fight as he urged fans to donate to the Anzac Appeal.
And looking back to 2021 when the Magpies struggled for the win, Collingwood has found an unlikely ally in premiership defender Isaac Quaynor.
“You definitely feel the pressure, especially from outside, but nothing seems to change at Essendon. [They] Be very confident in yourself. “There’s no point in staying in landfills,” Quaynor said.
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