Well they put away the Premiers fairly comfortably in Perth and went down by a goal to the Tiges, put Geelong and GWS away, worked off North, pumped Port at Alberton, destroyed Sydney, so we're not exactly talking blue sky to get ahead of some of those 11 that you mentioned.Geez man - I dunno.
Three of the top sides:
West Coast - Gaff and NicNat come back into the side.
Richmond - Tom Lynch
Melbourne - adding May, Kolo and Lever
These sides just put together seasons at least 6 games more than Essendon (including finals wins) AND they've added topline players.
There's not a solid argument on Essendon finishing higher than any of those three that is based on players.
Incidentally, bumped into one of your old warriors a few weeks ago who used to have red hair, couldn't stop raving on about A.Francis.