Essendon’s season ends with the club finishing 18th after a loss on Sunday, despite a moment involving captain Zach Merrett that could have delivered a win. Multiple outlets describe the match as one where Merrett kicked what might have been an Essendon winning goal, but the result still goes against the Bombers.
Across the articles, the broader context is Essendon’s difficult year. The Bombers win only two matches from 23, a record that follows the sacking of former coach Brad Scott during the season. The reporting frames the final ladder position as a key reference point for what comes next, noting that the club now faces important list and coaching decisions.
While the headlines differ slightly in phrasing, the underlying emphasis is consistent: the Sunday loss closes out a low-win campaign, and the club’s finishing position—18th—is presented as potentially significant for upcoming decisions. None of the sources suggest a turnaround in the season outcome, instead focusing on the implications of where Essendon lands on the ladder.
