LATEST: Big problem with Bombers’ eight-year plan… and shock that could ‘shake the foundations’

Fox Footy analyst David King believes that Hawthorn could cause an upset against Essendon this Saturday, attributing it to a psychological factor affecting the Bombers before Round 1.

Last season, despite winning 11 games, Essendon missed out on the finals in coach Brad Scott’s first season, experiencing a decline towards the end of what initially seemed like a promising campaign.

This year, Essendon faces a depleted Hawthorn team due to pre-season injuries, entering the match as favorites. Despite an off-season focused on strengthening their squad and team chemistry, King sees a different narrative, predicting an unlikely Hawthorn victory that could shake Essendon’s early-season confidence.

King disagrees with Scott’s notion of an “eight-year premiership window,” arguing that every club should aspire to be contenders within that timeframe. He questions the impact of such language on players like Heppell, Shiel, and Stringer, and whether it affects their mindset for the upcoming game.

Reflecting on Essendon’s approach last season, Montagna recalls Scott preaching patience, which initially worked well but faltered towards the end of the year.

King expresses concern about the psychological state of the Essendon players, suggesting that the acceptance of potential mediocrity could influence their performance.

Despite injuries to key players like Parish and Ridley, Essendon has chosen not to include Hobbs, Laverde, and Draper for the weekend’s game.

The Essendon vs. Hawthorn match is scheduled for Saturday at 1:45 pm AEDT and will be exclusively broadcast on Fox Footy via Foxtel or Kayo.