2012 Essendon Football Club season

The 2012 Essendon Football Club season is the club's 114th season in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Essendon Football Club

2012 season
President	David Evans
Coach	James Hird (2nd season)
Captain(s)	Jobe Watson (3rd season)
Home ground	Etihad Stadium
AFL season	11th
Best and Fairest	Jobe Watson
Leading goalkicker	Stewart Crameri (32)
Highest home attendance	80,900 vs. Richmond (Round 8)
Lowest home attendance	33,118 vs. Port Adelaide (Round 2)
Average home attendance	47,607
Club membership	47,708 ( 2,567 / -5.38%)
← 2011 2013 →

After a promising start to the season Essendon found themselves second on the ladder with a record of 8 wins and 1 loss (which was by a single point). The season then took an unexpected turn which saw Essendon lose 10 out of the last 13 games and miss the finals. They became the first club to have an 8–1 record and miss finals since Melbourne in the 1971 season.

Prior to the final round vice-captain Mark McVeigh announced his retirement from football after 14 season and 232 games at the club. After the Home and Away season completed Essendon captain Jobe Watson was awarded the Brownlow Medal. The highest individual accolade in the AFL. This was later handed back following the drug scandal.

The season became notorious for the illegal supplements program that was operated by the club prior to and into the 2012 season. After a three-year investigation, thirty-four players on the 2012 squad were suspected to have been administered the banned peptide Thymosin beta-4 and were suspended for the 2016 season.^[1]

Squad

Essendon Football Club

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Senior list						Rookie List		Coaching staff
2 Ricky Dyson 3 Scott Gumbleton 4 Jobe Watson (c) 5 Brent Stanton 6 Angus Monfries 7 Leroy Jetta 8 Jason Winderlich 9 Brent Prismall 10 Mark McVeigh (vc) (vet) 11 David Zaharakis 12 Stewart Crameri 14 Sam Lonergan 15 Courtenay Dempsey 16 Tayte Pears 17 Jake Melksham 18 Michael Hurley 19 David Hille (vc) (vet) 20 Henry Slattery 21 Dyson Heppell 22 Jake Carlisle		23 David Myers 24 Alex Browne 25 Ariel Steinberg 26 Cale Hooker 27 Luke Davis 28 Elliott Kavanagh 29 Alwyn Davey 30 Paddy Ryder 31 Dustin Fletcher (vet) 32 Travis Colyer 33 Jackson Merrett 34 Kyle Hardingham 35 Nick O'Brien 37 Kyle Reimers 38 Michael Ross 39 Heath Hocking 40 Ben Howlett 42 Nathan Lovett-Murray 43 Michael Hibberd 44 Tom Bellchambers				13 Anthony Long 36 Lauchlan Dalgleish 41 Brendan Lee 45 Hal Hunter 46 Mark Baguley 47 Cory Dell'Olio		Head coach James Hird Assistant coaches Mark Thompson (senior assistant) Sean Wellman (defensive structure) Simon Goodwin (midfield structure) Matthew Egan (forward structure) James Byrne (development) Rick Ladson (development) Hayden Skipworth (VFL coach) Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice-captain(s) (vet) Veterans list Updated: 20 October 2012 Source(s): Playing list, Coaching staff

Trades

Main article: 2011 AFL Trades

In Player Traded From Traded To Traded For None

Out Player Traded From Traded To Traded For   Josh Jenkins Draft pick No. 41 Essendon Adelaide Draft pick No. 31

Drafts

Main article: 2011 AFL Draft

National Draft Round Pick Name From League 1 19   Elliott Kavanagh Western Jets TAC Cup 2 31   Jackson Merrett Geelong Falcons TAC Cup 3 59   Nick O'Brien North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup 4 75   Stewart Crameri Rookie Promotion

Rookie Draft Round Pick Name From League 1 11   Lauchlan Dalgleish North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup 2 29   Cory Dell'Olio South Fremantle WAFL 3 47   Mark Baguley Frankston VFL 4 46   Hal Hunter Calder Cannons TAC Cup 5 78   Brendan Lee East Perth WAFL 6 85   Anthony Long Essendon AFL

Pre-Season Draft Round Pick Name From League No Picks

Delisted

Seasons^[s]	Player
4	Darcy Daniher
4	Jay Neagle
2	Mark Williams
3	Michael Quinn
3	Tyson Slattery
2	Taite Silverlock
1	James Webster

= Retired

Guernsey

Standard Home Away

Special Versions Anzac Dreamtime at the 'G Clash for Cancer Heritage Heritage Round(s) Worn 5 Round(s) Worn 8 Round(s) Worn 13 Round(s) Worn 15 Round(s) Worn 16, 22

Heritage Guernsey

On 2 July Essendon unveiled their Heritage Guernsey. It feature all the names of past premiership players in the background along with the name and signature of club legend John Colman on the breast. Under the signature include the traditional Essendon Football Club motto 'suaviter in modo, fortiter in re' which dates back to the 1870s and translates as 'gentle in manner, resolute in deed.'^[2] The most notable change to the guernsey was the removal of the black background to comply with AFL rules requiring each club to provide a clash guernsey. The new Heritage guernsey made its debut during the Round 15 game between St Kilda and Essendon. This marked the end of a 114-year-long tradition as the first time the Essendon Football Club would play an AFL/VFL game without wearing its famous black and red stripe guernsey.

Results

Pre-season (NAB Cup)

Round 1

The three teams in each pool play each other in games of two 20-minute halves, with all three games being played over a three-hour period at the one venue.

Round 1 Sunday, 18 February 4:45 pm West Coast 0.9.3 (57) def. Essendon 0.5.6 (36) Patersons Stadium (crowd: 27,581) Sunday, 18 February 5:50 pm Fremantle 1.7.5 (56) def. Essendon 0.3.2 (20) Patersons Stadium (crowd: 27,534) Round 2 Round 2 Saturday, 3 March 7:00 pm (cancelled) Essendon def. by St Kilda Wangaratta Showgrounds The match between Essendon and St Kilda was cancelled, because heavy rain prevented flights chartered by the Essendon Football Club from landing in Wangaratta.^[3] Initially the match was reflected as a draw with no score on the NAB Cup Ladder,^[4] but later St Kilda was awarded the four points.^[5] Round 3 Round 3 Friday, 9 March 6:10 pm Essendon 1.14.12 (105) def. Sydney 1.14.10 (103) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 12,000) Round 4 - NAB Challenge Round Round 4 Saturday, 17 March 3:30 pm Essendon 16.16 (112) def. Brisbane Lions 8.8 (56) Visy Park (crowd: 3,500) This game was played under regular season rules. Home and Away season Round 1 Round 1 Saturday, 31 March 7:40 pm North Melbourne def. by Essendon Etihad Stadium (crowd: 45,699) 4.3 (27) 8.5 (53) 10.10 (70)  15.12 (102) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 3.2 (20) 9.8 (62) 13.14 (92)  14.20 (104) Umpires: Stevic, Armstrong, Bannister Television broadcast: Fox Sports Harvey 3 Adams, Edwards, Petrie, Thomas 2 Harper, MacMillan, McIntosh, Wells 1 Goals 2 Hurley, Lovett-Murray, Melksham, Stanton 1 Heppell, Hille, Jetta, McVeigh, Ryder, Watson Wells, Swallow, Petrie, Firrito, Adams, Harper, Thomas Best Stanton, Watson, Heppell, Myers, Hille, Hibberd, Zaharakis Tarrant (Hamstring) Injuries Hocking (Concussion), Hardingham (Shoulder) Wright (Charging) Reports Nil Former Essendon player Jordan Bannister made his senior AFL debut as a field umpire in this match. Bannister played for Essendon from 2001–2003, and later played for Carlton.^[6] || Brownlow Votes 3 Brent Stanton (Essendon) 2 Daniel Wells (North Melbourne) 1 Jobe Watson (Essendon) Game Milestone 50 Cale Hooker Score Worm   Round 2 Round 2 Saturday, 7 April 1:45 pm Essendon def. Port Adelaide Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,118) 5.2 (32) 10.6 (66) 11.13 (79)  16.15 (111) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 5.2 (32) 7.3 (45) 12.5 (77)  13.8 (86) Umpires: Donlon, Ritchie, Armstrong Television broadcast: Channel 7 Jetta 4 Crameri 3 Stanton 2 Carlisle, Dempsey, Hille, Howlett, Hurley, Monfries, Zaharakis 1 Goals 4 Schulz 3 Westhoff 1 Ebert, McCarthy, Redden, P.Stewart, Thomas, Wingard Stanton, Jetta, Ryder, Watson, Dempsey, Monfries, Hardingham Best Boak, Cornes, Westhoff, Schulz, McCarthy, Cassisi Hille (Calf), Myers (Hamstring), Lovett-Murray (Hamstring) Injuries Wingard (Concussion) || Brownlow Votes 3 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 2 Domenic Cassisi (Port Adelaide) 1 Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) Score Worm   Round 3 Round 3 Saturday, 14 April 7:40 pm Gold Coast def. by Essendon Metricon Stadium (crowd: 17,069) 2.3 (15) 7.5 (47) 12.7 (79)  13.10 (88) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 5.6 (36) 7.10 (52) 10.12 (72)  15.15 (105) Umpires: Ritchie, Stewart, Grun Television broadcast: Channel 7 Ablett, Bock, Hall 2 Brennan, Caddy, Harbrow, Matera, Rischitelli, Russell, Shaw 1 Goals 4 Crameri 2 Hurley, Jetta, Ryder, Watson 1 Bellchambers, Davey, Reimers Ablett, Harbrow, Hunt, Tape, Bock, Swallow Best Watson, Crameri, Hurley, Monfries, Howlett, Ryder Nil Injuries Dempsey (Hamstring) || Brownlow Votes 3 Gary Ablett, Jr. (Gold Coast) 2 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 1 Stewart Crameri (Essendon) Game Milestone 350 Dustin Fletcher 50 Michael Hurley 50 Tayte Pears Score Worm   Round 4 Round 4 Saturday, 21 April 1:45 pm Carlton def. by Essendon MCG (crowd: 73,172) 4.4 (28) 4.7 (32) 5.12 (42)  11.13 (79) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 3.6 (24) 8.11 (59) 12.17 (89)  15.19 (109) Umpires: Margetts, Rosebury, Leppard Television broadcast: Channel 7 Betts 4 Robinson, Garlett, Murphy, McLean, Gibbs, Judd, Hampson 1 Goals 5 Crameri 3 Davey 1 Melksham, Stanton, Ryder, Zaharakis, Hurley, Fletcher, Monfries Simpson, Murphy, Judd, Scotland, Henderson, Waite Best Watson, Stanton, Crameri, Hardingham, Ryder, Davey, Heppell, Hibberd, Fletcher Carrazzo (Shoulder), Laidler (Knee), Yarran (Toe) Injuries Hurley (Hamstring) The match between Carlton and Essendon was the 2,500th senior VFL/AFL match hosted by the Melbourne Cricket Ground.^[7] || Brownlow Votes 3 Brent Stanton (Essendon) 2 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 1 Stewart Crameri (Essendon) Game Milestone Debut Cory Dell'Olio Score Worm   Round 5 Round 5 Wednesday, 25 April 2:40 pm Collingwood def. Essendon MCG (crowd: 86,932) 2.4 (16) 5.6 (36) 9.8 (62)  11.14 (80) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 1.3 (9) 3.6 (24) 7.8 (50)  11.13 (79) Umpires: Donlon, Stevic, Meredith Television broadcast: Channel 7 Cloke, Swan 3 Blair 2 Sidebottom, Jolly, Beams 1 Goals 3 Davey 2 Zaharakis, Monfries 1 Hocking, Howlett, Lonergan, Dell'Olio, Stanton Swan, Clarke, Pendlebury, Beams, Wellingham, Toovey Best Zaharakis, Heppell, Howlett, Dyson, Lonergan Nil Injuries Hibberd (Hamstring) || Brownlow Votes 3 Dane Swan (Collingwood) 2 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) 1 Dyson Heppell (Essendon) Anzac Medal Dane Swan^[8] Score Worm   Round 6 Round 6 Saturday, 5 May 1:40 pm Essendon def. Brisbane Lions Etihad Stadium (crowd: 36,361) 8.3 (51) 12.9 (81) 16.12 (108)  19.15 (129) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 4.1 (25) 7.4 (46) 8.4 (52)  9.8 (62) Umpires: Rosebury, Fila, Grun Television broadcast: Fox Sports Crameri 4 Jetta, Davey 3 Lonergan, Monfries 2 Melksham, Dyson, Lovett-Murray, Dempsey, Watson 1 Goals 2 Brown, Polec, Crisp 1 Hudson, McGrath, Cornelius Stanton, Watson, Bellchambers, Lonergan, Heppell, Hocking, Fletcher Best Rich, Brown, Redden, McGrath, Maguire Crameri (Knee) Injuries McGrath (Adductor) || Brownlow Votes 3 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 2 Brent Stanton (Essendon) 1 Dyson Heppell (Essendon) Score Worm   Round 7 Round 7 Saturday, 12 May 7:40 pm Essendon def. West Coast Etihad Stadium (crowd: 43,260) 1.6 (12) 5.10 (40) 12.14 (86)  16.17 (113) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 1.3 (9) 3.5 (23) 3.7 (25)  7.10 (52) Umpires: Stewart, Fila, Meredith Television broadcast: Channel 7 Crameri, Davey 3 Jetta, Ryder, Stanton 2 Bellchambers, Dyson, Lovett-Murray, Melksham 1 Goals 2 Waters 1 Brennan, Darling, Hill, Kerr, McGinnity Stanton, Watson, Zaharakis, Hooker, Melksham, Crameri, Fletcher Best Cox, Kerr, Gaff, Shuey, McGinnity Nil Injuries Priddis (Concussion) || Brownlow Votes 3 Brent Stanton (Essendon) 2 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 1 Paddy Ryder (Essendon) Round 8 Round 8 Saturday, 19 May 7:45 pm Essendon def. Richmond MCG (crowd: 80,900) 6.2 (38) 12.7 (79) 16.9 (105)  19.14 (128) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 4.2 (26) 6.8 (44) 11.16 (82)  15.19 (109) Umpires: Rosebury, Stewart, Bannister Television broadcast: Channel 7 Ryder 4 Stanton, Monfries 3 Watson, Jetta, Davey 2 Crameri, Howlett, Lovett-Murray 1 Goals 3 Cotchin, Edwards 2 Grigg, Martin 1 Deledio, Jackson, Miller, Nahas, Riewoldt Watson, Stanton, Crameri, Ryder, Jetta, Bellchambers, Heppell, Zaharakis Best Deledio, Cotchin, Grigg, Foley, Maric, Tuck, Jackson Fletcher (Groin), Hardingham (Calf) Injuries Grimes (Hamstring) || Brownlow Votes 3 Brett Deledio (Richmond) 2 Brent Stanton (Essendon) 1 Jobe Watson (Essendon) Round 9 Round 9 Saturday, 26 May 7:40 pm Greater Western Sydney def. by Essendon Skoda Stadium (crowd: 11,887) 0.5 (5) 2.9 (21) 4.11 (35)  7.11 (53) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 3.1 (19) 8.1 (49) 13.8 (86)  18.11 (119) Umpires: McBurney, Ryan, Hosking Television broadcast: Channel 7 Cameron 3 Shiel, Treloar, Giles, McDonald 1 Goals 3 Crameri, Davey, Bellchambers 2 Ryder, Monfries 1 Zaharakis, Watson, Melksham, Hurley, Colyer Treloar, Tyson, Kennedy, Cameron, Power, Shiel Best Dyson, Crameri, Lovett-Murray, Dempsey, Zaharakis, Davey The match between Greater Western Sydney and Essendon will be the first AFL match played at Skoda Stadium, the new primary home ground for Greater Western Sydney. This is the first game former Essendon Coaching legend Kevin Sheedy will coach against his old club. || Brownlow Votes 3 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 2 Tom Bellchambers (Essendon) 1 Brent Stanton (Essendon) Round 10 Round 10 Saturday, 2 June 7:40 pm Essendon def. by Melbourne MCG (crowd: 42,987) 1.5 (11) 2.9 (21) 5.13 (43)  6.16 (52) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 1.2 (8) 4.3 (27) 5.5 (35)  8.10 (58) Umpires: McBurney, Jennings, Foot Television broadcast: Channel 7 Watson 2 Davey, Melksham, Hocking, Colyer 1 Goals 2 Garland 1 Howe, Morton, Moloney, Jones, Clark, Sylvia Watson, Dempsey, Stanton, Howlett, Zaharakis Best Watts, Jones, Howe, Moloney, Rivers, Grimes, Nicholson || Brownlow Votes 3 Jack Watts (Melbourne) 2 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 1 Daniel Nicholson (Melbourne) Round 11 Round 11 Saturday, 9 June 7:40 pm Essendon def. by Sydney Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,785) 1.5 (11) 1.11 (17) 2.15 (27)  11.16 (82) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 5.3 (33) 8.6 (54) 11.8 (74)  13.8 (86) Umpires: Margetts, Meredith, McInerney Television broadcast: Channel 7 Davey 3 Watson 2 Hocking, Howlett, Jetta, Lovett-Murray, Myers, Stanton 1 Goals 3 Jetta 2 Jack, Reid 1 Bolton, Everitt, McVeigh, Mumford, Roberts-Thomson, Shaw Watson, Davey, Dyson, Howlett, Heppell, Hooker Best Jetta, Bolton, Armstrong, Bird, Kennedy, Richards, McVeigh Nil Injuries Hannebery (Concussion) || Brownlow Votes 3 Jude Bolton (Sydney) 2 Lewis Jetta (Sydney) 1 Jobe Watson (Essendon) Round 12 Bye Round 13 Round 13 Saturday, 23 June 5:40 pm Fremantle def. by Essendon Patersons Stadium (crowd: 34,567) 6.1 (37) 8.2 (50) 14.4 (88)  14.5 (89) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 5.2 (32) 10.4 (64) 13.5 (83)  17.11 (113) Umpires: Schmitt, Meredith, Bannister Television broadcast: Channel 7 Mayne 4 Pavlich 3 Clarke, Broughton 2 Barlow, Griffin, de Boer 1 Goals 6 Hurley 2 Monfries, Dell'Olio, Crameri 1 Heppell, Ryder, Hille, Melksham, Watson Pavlich, Barlow, Mayne, Ibbotson, Clarke, de Boer, Lower Best Hurley, Watson, Myers, Howlett, Ryder, Crameri, Carlisle || Brownlow Votes 3 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 2 Michael Hurley (Essendon) 1 Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) Game Milestone 50 Ben Howlett Round 14 Round 14 Saturday, 30 June 7:40 pm Essendon def. Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,824) 7.5 (47) 12.7 (79) 15.10 (100)  21.14 (140) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 1.2 (8) 3.5 (23) 6.7 (43)  8.8 (56) Umpires: Margetts, Leppard, Findlay Television broadcast: Channel 7 Hurley 5 Reimers 3 Watson 3 Crameri, Ryder, Dell'Olio, Melksham 2 Hocking, Dempsey 1 Goals 3 Minson 2 Liberatore 1 Campbell, Smith, Boyd Hurley, Watson, Dempsey, Stanton, Hibberd, Hocking, Reimers Best Minson, Liberatore, Boyd, Picken, Dahlhaus, Smith Nil Injuries Murphy (Left Hamstring), Griffen (Calf) || Brownlow Votes 3 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 2 Michael Hurley (Essendon) 1 Heath Hocking (Essendon) Game Milestone 50 Jake Melksham Round 15 Round 15 Saturday, 7 July 7:40 pm St Kilda def. Essendon Etihad Stadium (crowd: 45,838) Report^[dead link] 4.3 (27) 9.5 (59) 15.6 (96)  21.7 (133) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 3.5 (23) 5.6 (36) 7.8 (50)  8.14 (62) Umpires: Stevic, Meredith, Mitchell Television broadcast: Channel 7 Milne 5 Riewoldt 4 Koschitzke, Siposs, Wilkes, Saad, Schneider 2 Gilbert, Gram 1 Goals 2 Hille, Melksham 1 Carlisle, Hurley, Reimers, Davey Milne, Dal Santo, Hayes, Riewoldt, Siposs, McEvoy, Simpkin Best Dempsey, Heppell, Watson, Melksham, Lonergan Nil Injuries Hurley (Hamstring), Reimers (Concussion) Koschitzke (Rough Conduct) Reports Nil || Brownlow Votes 3 Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) 2 Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) 1 Stephen Milne (St Kilda) Round 16 Round 16 Saturday, 14 July 1:40 pm Port Adelaide def. by Essendon AAMI Stadium (crowd: 17, 344) 4.3 (27) 8.6 (54) 11.9 (76)  11.13 (79) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 4.2 (26) 8.4 (52) 13. 8 (86)  19.13 (127) Umpires: Farmer, Ritchie, Fila Television broadcast: Fox Sports Westhoff, Ebert 3 D Stewart 2 McCarthy, P Stewart, Thomas 1 Goals 3 Gumbleton, Jetta 2 Dell'Olio, Bellchambers, Hille 1 Davey, Dyson, Melksham, Reimers, Howlett, Myers, Watson Brad Ebert, Brett Ebert, Moore, Broadbent, Boak, Westhoff Best Bellchambers, Howlett, Jetta, Gumbleton, Heppell, Watson Nil Injuries Michael Hibberd (Quad) || Brownlow Votes 3 Leroy Jetta (Essendon) 2 Brett Ebert (Port Adelaide) 1 Dyson Heppell (Essendon) Game Milestone Debut Mark Baguley Round 17 Round 17 Friday, 20 July 7:50 pm Geelong def. Essendon Etihad Stadium (crowd: 50,066) 4.5 (29) 9.7 (61) 15.11 (101)  20.14 (134) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 2.1 (13) 5.4 (34) 8.5 (53)  10.7 (67) Umpires: Rosebury, Nicholls, Hay Television broadcast: Channel 7 Hawkins 5 Smedts 3 Johnson, Murdoch, Taylor, Chapman 2 Duncan, Mackie, Motlop, Walker 1 Goals 3 Bellchambers 1 Crameri, Davey, Dell'Ollio, Gumbleton, Jetta, Monfries, Myers Duncan, Johnson, Smedts, Selwood, Mackie, Hawkins, Corey, Kelly Best Myers, Bellchambers, Stanton, Watson, Heppell Steve Johnson (Right Groin) Injuries Nil || Brownlow Votes 3 Andrew Mackie (Geelong) 2 Mitch Duncan (Geelong) 1 Steve Johnson (Geelong) Round 18 Round 18 Friday, 27 July 7:50 pm Essendon def. by Hawthorn Etihad Stadium (crowd: 44,899) 1.4 (10) 3.7 (25) 9.11 (65)  12.14 (86) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 8.5 (53) 14.9 (93) 20.15 (135)  27.18 (180) Umpires: Meredith, Findlay, Jeffery Television broadcast: Channel 7 Gumbleton 4 Hille 2 Dell'Ollio, Howlett, Jetta, Lovett-Murray, Monfries, Winderlich 1 Goals 5 Hodge 4 Suckling 3 Gunston, Roughead 2 Young, Breust, Rioli, Smith 1 Lewis, Puopolo, Shiels, Whitecross Watson, Gumbleton, Howlett, Heppell, Carlisle Best Rioli, Hodge, Suckling, Gunston, Mitchell, Whitecross, Sewell || Brownlow Votes 3 Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) 2 Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) 1 Matt Suckling (Hawthorn) Game Milestone Debut Elliott Kavanagh Round 19 Round 19 Sunday, 5 August 4:10 pm Adelaide def. Essendon AAMI Stadium (crowd: 40,030) Report^[dead link] 4.2 (26) 6.3 (39) 13.7 (85)  16.8 (104) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 5.4 (34) 9.7 (61) 12.7 (79)  15.10 (100) Umpires: Donlon, Kamolins, Hay Television broadcast: Fox Sports Walker 4 Dangerfield 3 Johncock, Jenkins 2 Jacobs, Sloane, Porplyzia, Riley, van Berlo 1 Goals 4 Winderlich 2 Browne, Gumbleton 1 Colyer, Dempsey, Davey, Hurley, Jetta, Lonergan, Watson Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloane, Talia, Douglas, Walker Best Watson, Dempsey, Lovett-Murray, Browne, Carlisle, Heppell Porplyzia (Shoulder) Injuries Howlett (Hamstring), Winderlich (Hamstring) || Brownlow Votes 3 Jobe Watson (Essendon) 2 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) 1 Rory Sloane (Adelaide) Game Milestone 150 Jobe Watson 100 Jason Winderlich Round 20 Round 20 Sunday, 12 August 4:40 pm Essendon def. by North Melbourne Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,674) 5.2 (32) 8.6 (54) 9.10(64)  11.10 (76) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 6.2 (38) 8.4 (52) 11.7 (73)  15.10 (100) Umpires: Donlon, Meredith, McInerney Television broadcast: Fox Sports Davey, Hurley 3 Crameri, Lovett-Murray, Lonergan, Melksham, Watson 1 Goals 3 Harvey, Hansen, Tarrant 2 Garlett, Gibson 1 Wells, Wright Watson, Fletcher, Bellchambers, Colyer, Davey, Hurley Best Harvey, Wright, McMahon, Swallow, Grima, Gibson, Goldstein, Anthony Nil Injuries Leigh Adams (Left Shoulder), Daniel Wells (Calf), Nathan Grima (Hamstring Tendonitis) || Brownlow Votes 3 Sam Wright (North Melbourne) 2 Tom Bellchambers (Essendon) 1 Jobe Watson (Essendon) Round 21 Round 21 Saturday, 18 August 1:45 pm Essendon def. by Carlton MCG (crowd: 59,381) 2.5 (17) 6.6 (42) 7.8 (50)  8.12 (60) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 5.3 (33) 15.4 (94) 20.9 (129)  25.12 (156) Umpires: McBurney, Farmer, Schmitt Television broadcast: Channel 7 Crameri, Ryder 2 Watson, Lonergan, Stanton, Hurley 1 Goals 5 Waite 3 McLean, Simpson, Walker, Garlett, Casboult 2 Betts, Murphy Watson, Browne, Hooker Best Murphy, Gibbs, McLean, Waite, Simpson, Judd, Betts, Casboult Fletcher (Hip Flexor), Carlisle (Ankle) Injuries Nil || Brownlow Votes 3 Marc Murphy (Carlton) 2 Jarrad Waite (Carlton) 1 Kade Simpson (Carlton) Round 22 Round 22 Friday, 24 August 7:50 pm Richmond def. Essendon MCG (crowd: 47,590) 5.5 (35) 8.11 (59) 12.16 (88)  13.24 (102) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 3.2 (20) 4.6 (30) 7.9 (51)  8.9 (57) Umpires: Nicholls, McInerney, Mollison Television broadcast: Channel 7 Riewoldt 3 Edwards, McGuane 2 Astbury, Deledio, Grigg, Martin, Nahas, O'Hanlon 1 Goals 3 Monfries 1 Browne, Gumbleton, Hurley, Jetta, O'Brien Tuck, Cotchin, Deledio, Houli, Jackson, Edwards, Riewoldt, O'Hanlon Best Heppell, Monfries, Hibberd, Crameri White (Hamstring) Injuries Davey (Hamstring), Crameri (Shoulder) || Brownlow Votes 3 Trent Cotchin (Richmond) 2 Shane Tuck (Richmond) 1 Brett Deledio (Richmond) Game Milestone Debut Nick O'Brien Round 23 Round 23 Saturday, 1 September 7:40 pm Essendon def. by Collingwood MCG (crowd: 56,491) 4.3 (27) 7.3 (45) 9.7 (61)  10.12 (72) Q1 Q2 Q3  Final 5.5 (35) 7.11 (53) 10.17 (77)  14.20 (104) Umpires: Donlon, McBurney, Jennings Television broadcast: Channel 7 O'Brien, Zaharakis 2 Crameri, Monfries, Hurley, Myers, Watson, Heppell 1 Goals 5 Cloke 2 Fasolo 1 Beams, Goldsack, Paine, Swan, Krakouer, Shaw, O'Brien Watson, Stanton, Zaharakis, Heppell, Hille, Hurley Best Swan, Cloke, Beams, Fasolo, Pendlebury, Thomas Nil Injuries Goldsack (Ankle) || Brownlow Votes 3 Dane Swan (Collingwood) 2 Travis Cloke (Collingwood) 1 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) Game Milestone 150 Angus Monfries Debut Jackson Merrett Ladder 2012 AFL ladder Pos Team v t e Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts 1 Hawthorn 22 17 5 0 2679 1733 154.6 68 Finals series 2 Adelaide 22 17 5 0 2428 1833 132.5 68 3 Sydney (P) 22 16 6 0 2290 1629 140.6 64 4 Collingwood 22 16 6 0 2123 1823 116.5 64 5 West Coast 22 15 7 0 2244 1807 124.2 60 6 Geelong 22 15 7 0 2209 1886 117.1 60 7 Fremantle 22 14 8 0 1956 1691 115.7 56 8 North Melbourne 22 14 8 0 2359 2097 112.5 56 9 St Kilda 22 12 10 0 2347 1903 123.3 48 10 Carlton 22 11 11 0 2079 1925 108.0 44 11 Essendon 22 11 11 0 2091 2090 100.0 44 12 Richmond 22 10 11 1 2169 1943 111.6 42 13 Brisbane Lions 22 10 12 0 1904 2092 91.0 40 14 Port Adelaide 22 5 16 1 1691 2144 78.9 22 15 Western Bulldogs 22 5 17 0 1542 2301 67.0 20 16 Melbourne 22 4 18 0 1580 2341 67.5 16 17 Gold Coast 22 3 19 0 1509 2481 60.8 12 18 Greater Western Sydney 22 2 20 0 1270 2751 46.2 8 Source: ^[citation needed] Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for. (P) Premiers Ladder progress Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Ground A H A A A H H H A H H B A H A A A H A H H A H Result W W W W L W W W W L L W W L W L L L L L L L Position 9 5 4 3 5 4 2 3 2 2 4 6 3 4 6 6 6 7 8 8 10 11 11 Source: Competitive Matches A = Away; H = Home; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose Tribunal cases Player Round Charge category (Level) Verdict Points^[a] Result Victim Club Ref(s) Sam Lonergan 2 Rough Conduct (2) Guilty (Early Plea) 185.63 1 Week Travis Boak Port Adelaide ^[9] Leroy Jetta 8 Striking (2) Guilty (Appeal Denied) 137.50 1 Week Dylan Grimes Richmond ^[10] David Zaharakis 9 Striking (2) Guilty (Early Plea) 93.75 Reprimand Tomas Bugg Greater Western Sydney ^[11] Jake Carlisle 9 Wrestling Guilty (Early Plea) 0 $900 Jeremy Cameron Greater Western Sydney ^[11] Alwyn Davey 9 Wrestling Guilty (Early Plea) 0 $900 Taylor Adams Greater Western Sydney ^[11] Paddy Ryder 10 Tripping (1) Guilty (Early Plea) 66 Reprimand Daniel Nicholson Melbourne ^[12] Alwyn Davey 11 Rough Conduct (3) Guilty (Early Plea) 243.75 2 Weeks Dan Hannebery Sydney ^[13] Stewart Crameri 14 Rough Conduct (3) Guilty (Early Plea) 243.75 2 Weeks Dylan Addison Western Bulldogs ^[14] Heath Hocking 15 Rough Conduct (2) Guilty (Early Plea) 297.19 2 Weeks Lenny Hayes St Kilda ^[15] Jake Carlisle 16 Rough Conduct (1) Guilty (Early Plea) 93.75 Reprimand Paul Stewart Port Adelaide ^[16] Season statistics Home attendance Round Opponent Attendance 2 Port Adelaide 33,118 6 Brisbane Lions 36,361 7 West Coast 43,260 8 Richmond 80,900 10 Melbourne 42,987 11 Sydney 42,785 14 Western Bulldogs 40,824 18 Hawthorn 44,899 20 North Melbourne 42,674 21 Carlton 59,381 23 Collingwood 56,491 Total Attendance 523,680 Average Attendance 47,607 Awards 2012 Brownlow Medal Votes Player 30 Jobe Watson 14 Brent Stanton 4 Tom Bellchambers 4 Michael Hurley 3 Dyson Heppell 3 Leroy Jetta 2 Stewart Crameri 1 Dustin Fletcher 1 Heath Hocking 1 Paddy Ryder Crichton Medal ^[17] Votes Player 551 Jobe Watson 310 Dyson Heppell 256 Dustin Fletcher 240 Brent Stanton 232 Ben Howlett 214 David Zaharakis 208 Courtenay Dempsey 198 Stewart Crameri 195 Paddy Ryder 117 Michael Hurley Other Awards ^[17] Award Name Player Best Clubman Dyson Heppell Matthew Lloyd Senior Leading Goal Kicking Stewart Crameri Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star Michael Hibberd Most Improved Player Jake Carlisle Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player Ben Howlett Best Team Player Dustin Fletcher Essendon Goal of the Year^[18] Stewart Crameri Essendon Mark of the Year^[19] Dyson Heppell Season Financials EFC Annual Report 2012 Item $2012 $2011 Change Revenue $65,431,425 $51,416,731 $14,014,694 Membership & Reserved Seating $9,367,066 $10,363,690 $996,624 Gate Receipts $726,504 $963,101 $236,597 Marketing Revenue $15,902,153 $15,532,108 $370,045 Merchandise Revenue $3,226,302 $2,563,026 $663,276 Football Department Spend $19,200,704 $18,510,078 $690,626 Operating Profit/Loss $401,429 $1,024,086 $622,657 Total Profit/Loss $12,345,536 $2,059,379 $10,286,157 Notes ^a "Points" refers to carry-over points accrued following the sanction. For example, 154.69 points draw a one-match suspension, with 54.69 carry-over points (for every 100 points, a one-match suspension is given). ^s Denotes amount of seasons on the Essendon list only. References Travis King (12 January 2016). "Guilty: court bans the Essendon 34 for 2016". Australian Football League. Retrieved 12 January 2016. . BigPond. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012. Lowther, Andrew (3 March 2012). . Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012. . Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012. . Essendon Football Club. 3 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012. . Footystats. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2012. Green, Warwick; McFarlane, Glenn (20 April 2012). "MCG reaches 2500-game milestone". Herald Sun. Retrieved 21 April 2012. . AFL.com.au. BigPond. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012. . AFL.com.au. BigPond. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 10 April 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012. . AFL.com.au. BigPond. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012. . AFL.com.au. BigPond. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012. . AFL.com.au. BigPond. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012. "MRP full report". AFL.com.au. BigPond. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.^[dead link] "MRP report: round 14". AFL.com.au. BigPond. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.^[dead link] . AFL.com.au. BigPond. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012. . AFL.com.au. BigPond. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012. Twomey, Callum (4 October 2012). . essendonfc.com.au. BigPond. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012. . essendonfc.com.au. BigPond. 14 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012. . essendonfc.com.au. BigPond. 13 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012. External links Official website of the Essendon Football Club Official website of the Australian Football League 22 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine 2012 Season scores and results at AFL Tables 2012 Essendon player statistics at AFL Tables