Presidential candidate
The Don.
Future president of the Essendon Football Club. Host, candidate and answerer of the Don's Mailbag. Is Don. Is Good.
The Don 2030: Bring Back The Red & Black, the Essendon podcast
The Don for President. 2030.
The Essendon Bombers podcast for the fans, by the fans. The Don, Ryan and The Oracle on the list, the draft and the club, and one man's campaign to become president.
IS DON. IS GOOD. ★ VOTE 1 THE DON ★ BRING BACK THE RED & BLACK ★ #ISDONISGOOD ★
The numbers don't lie. We checked.
- plays & downloads
- 10,000+
- plays & downloads
- YouTube views
- 20,000+
- YouTube views
- on Instagram
- 3,200+
- on Instagram
- peak, Apple Podcasts Football, Australia
- #3
- peak, Apple Podcasts Football, Australia
The latest from the campaign trail
Ep 24
Memoirs of a Dons Journo w/ guest Rohan Connolly (RoCo)
30 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
Rohan "RoCo" Connolly, 40 years covering footy for The Sun, The Age, SEN, ESPN and Footyology, joins The Don & Ryan. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions for RoCo's Mailbag.
All episodes →New to the campaign?
The highlights reel
On the record.
“One delusional man's journey.”
“Where memories and hopes go to die.”
“We thrive off the messages of hate.”
“A firm and steady handshake from Andrew Welsh in 2030.”
A plan for the red and black.
- 01
Fix My Club.
A full, public review of the club, delivered from a whiteboard.
Policy announced in Ep 9 → - 02
What Would The Don Do?
Every decision at Essendon to pass one simple test.
Policy announced in Ep 10 → - 03
Doneyball.
A Moneyball review of the entire list. Depth chart included.
Policy announced in Ep 21 → - 04
Bums on Seats.
A starting five built to bring back the red and black.
Policy announced in Ep 12 → - 05
The Hangar Hex.
It will be investigated. It will be lifted.
Policy announced in Ep 9 → - 06
The Sausage Sizzle.
It has been reviewed.
Policy announced in Ep 4 →
The ticket
Running mate
Ryan.
The list-management brain of the ticket. If it involves a draft pick, a depth chart or a delisted free agent, Ryan has already made a spreadsheet about it.
🔮
Chief seer, whiteboard division
The Oracle.
Identity classified. Sees the draft before it happens. Communicates by whiteboard only.
On the campaign trail.
Distinguished guests
Every episode runs in four quarters.
- Q1
The week in red & black.
- Q2
Trades, the list & the draft.
- Q3
Off-field focus.
- Q4
Nostalgia, Top 5s & the Don's Mailbag.
Latest polling
The Don's numbers can move quickly.
Live event
Draft night, live.
Thursday 19 November, 6:30pm AEDT, live on YouTube. The Don, Ryan and The Oracle 🔮. Drever or Butler?
--Days
--Hours
--Mins
--Secs
Ask the Don anything.
Every episode ends with your questions. Ask about the list, the draft or the future of the club.
Enrol to vote
One email per episode. Unsubscribe any time.
Ballot paper · Election of President · 2030
The Don
Everyone else
Listen everywhere
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Talk to the campaignTHE PLAIN ENGLISH VERSION
- What is Bring Back The Red & Black?
- An independent Essendon Bombers AFL fan podcast, for the fans, by the fans. Each episode covers the week at Essendon, trades, the list and the draft, off-field news, then nostalgia, Top 5s and listener questions.
- Who hosts it?
- The Don and Ryan, with The Oracle on the whiteboard. Guests have included Rohan 'RoCo' Connolly and Scooter McNeice.
- Where can I listen?
- On Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, plus most other podcast apps through the RSS feed.
- Is The Don really running for Essendon president?
- It's the show's running joke and a parody campaign. It isn't a real election campaign.
- Is this the official Essendon podcast?
- No. It's an independent fan production, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Essendon Football Club or the AFL.
- How do I ask a question?
- Send it to the Don's Mailbag by Instagram DM or at bringbacktheredandblack@gmail.com.