Coaching is obviously an issue and it's obvious that Essendon's game style doesn't match the skillsets of the list. I still think it's talent as well though, I remember footy classified talking about Essendon and Ross Lyon was like "what if it's just that they're not good enough, talented enough, not well coached enough". I completely agree. If this side was full of talented players who are capable of performing the crucial aspects important to the modern game like contested football, pressure, contested marking, goal kicking etc. then transition coaching and a shifting leadership group wouldn't matter as much. However, their gamestyle is suited to a run and gun half back attack and Dodoro has to take some of the blame for creating a list which is so skewed towards a certain style of play, which limits the coaches' ability to create a dynamic and versatile gamestyle.