Red and Black Unfiltered

Coaching latest plus key contract decisions

Pete & Josh are back to chat all things Bombers after our horrendous Round 17 loss to the Saints. The game review time is deliberately curtailed, and the boys quickly move onto the real news and debate around the club from the past week. The boys discuss the coaching process which has now officially kicked off, with candidates going on 'coffee-dates'. We chat Solly, Hirdy, Longmire, Hinkley, as well as a host of first-time options. The spectre of Hird as Messiah is real, but Josh asks could there be a goldilocks combo that we could consider? The discussion then moves onto 15+ players out of contract at the end of season 2026, and key decisions around Keep/Trade/Delist, with the same assessment provided for some supposedly wantaway Dons. Should we keep the likes of Merrett, Ridley, Parish around if they want out? The discussion wraps up with a very short preview of the Lions game where the odds are long but not long enough for the diehards! Enjoy Bombers fans!

Still no bounce but the Process is announced

This week, Pete and Coops unpack Essendon's decision to use an internal-only coaching recruitment panel and ask the big question: is this a sign of decisive leadership, or another example of the club looking inward when it should be looking outside? We break down the loss, the effort (or lack of it), and the tactical moves that caught our eye, including Harry Jones down back, Ben McKay's role, and the pressure numbers that continue to tell a worrying story. We also discuss which players are still leading from the front, who needs to lift, and why inconsistent effort has become one of the club's biggest concerns. With the coaching search heating up, we explore what this recruitment process says about Essendon's future, whether the club is genuinely changing, and what the next appointment must deliver to finally break the cycle. Plus: * Standout, Watch & Shocker * Votes * Coaching panel deep dive * Player performance discussion * Plenty of passionate Bombers debate If you're looking for honest analysis, big opinions and plenty of Essendon discussion, this is one you won't want to miss. 🎙️ Red & Black Unfiltered — by Bombers fans, for Bombers fans.

Roundtable: What type of coach do we need?

Another week, another massive conversation around the future of the Essendon Football Club. After a frustrating performance against Melbourne, the boys including return special guest Boydy, break down the key moments from the game, highlighting the standout performers, the concerns around the ruck division, ongoing forward line issues, and the players who failed to deliver when it mattered most. With the coaching search dominating discussion, we shift focus to the big question every Bombers supporter is asking: Do the Dons need an experienced senior figure or is it time to back an emerging first-time coach? What qualities should the next coach possess? How much does media spin influence the conversation, and can the club finally get the process right? Enjoy Bomber Fans

Solly brings more fight, we chat on 'The Process"

The boys are back after another week on the emotional roller-coaster that is the Essendon Football Club. Following the clash with Carlton, while the result didn't quite materialise, there were signs of something different under interim coach Solly. We unpack whether the defensive game plan has already taken a step forward, what that says about where the club has been, and where it might be heading. We also dive into the growing discussion around "The Process" for appointing Essendon's next coach — what it actually means, whether fans should still believe in it, and how it fits into the club's ongoing football department reset. As always, we hand out our votes and recognise the best performers from the Carlton game before turning our attention to the upcoming clash against Melbourne. Is it a winnable game? We think so — but only if the effort, intensity and energy can be sustained across four quarters. All that and more on another massive episode of Red & Black Unfiltered.

Hird, Hype & Hysteria

The boys are back for a massive week at the Essendon Football Club, and there’s plenty to unpack. Thats an understatement! We start with the disappointing loss to West Coast — a game many hoped would deliver the classic caretaker-coach bounce, but instead produced another frustrating performance from the Bombers. With Brad Scott now gone, we discuss Dean Solomon's first game in charge and provide a light-touch review of where it all went wrong. Then it's time for a special extended edition of Coops with the Scoops, diving headfirst into the coaching saga that has engulfed the club. We break down the three key factions at play: Team Hird, pushing for the return of the club legend; The Middle Ground, backing a robust process to identify the best candidate regardless of name; and The No Voice, the silent majority whose views remain largely unheard amidst the noise. The boys unpack the Messiah factor, club politics, media leaks and the growing circus surrounding the Bombers' coaching search, before Scoops delivers a passionate call for what he believes should be the ultimate outcome for the football club. As always, the administrative votes are handed out from the Eagles game before we turn our attention to another huge challenge — a blockbuster clash against Carlton. Can the Bombers respond, or will the pressure continue to mount? Enjoy Bomber Fans!