AFL Exchange co-host Cal Twomey says it's "absolute crap" to declare that season 2018 hasn't been a wasted year for Essendon.

"This is a club that made the top eight last year. To suggest that this team has gone forward, despite going backwards on the ladder ... this rubbish that it's not a wasted year is just absolute crap," Twomey said.

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In this week's episode ...

Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw and AFL Media's Matt Thompson join Twomey to discuss the biggest positives and negatives for all the teams that missed finals, and select a winner for the Rising Star and Coach of the Year awards.

Episode guide

6.00 – How Angus is tempering his expectations and excitement ahead of the finals

8.00 – What the Demons have learnt since the last time they played the Cats

16.00 – 'They're the flop of the season'

18.20 – 'Absolute crap' to suggest it hasn't been a wasted year for Essendon

38.00 – Rising Star picks

45.00 – Coach of the Year picks

46.30 – How does a coach build loyalty with players?

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