Essendon currently sit 2-1, have the second best percentage in the competition and have just beaten their long-time rivals Carlton by 81 points. It is fair to say things are looking pretty good.
Coach Mark Thompson sits in an unfamiliar position as caretaker coach. After the supplements scandal that rocked Essendon last year, Thompson knows he is only coach for this season. In 2015, he hands the reigns back to James Hird.
When you watch Thompson, there is a calm nature. This may be to do with knowing what will happen next year. In the box he looks as relaxed as ever, post-match he is offering insight and a real openness to questions and on AFL 360, he seems to be enjoying being free of the supplement scandal.
In saying this, there is a fear within Thompson. The fear is success. Most interim or caretaker coaches want success to prove they can coach. As a two-time premiership winning coach at Geelong, Thompson has nothing to prove.
The fear is that he will do so well as coach that people will want him to continue coaching next season and beyond.
At the start of 2011, James Hird was given the job of rebuilding the club. After Matthew Knights’ failure to connect with fans and make substantial ground with the list, it was handed to Hird, along with Thompson, to take Essendon to the final sonce again.
After finishing eighth in 2011, Essendon failed to make the finals in 2012 and last year finished sixth, however were kicked out of the finals due to the AFL punishment over the supplement scandal. In 2014, Essendon have the makings of a top-four side. The question is, should they finish top four and go deep in September, will Hird be able to emulate this success?
Despite being the golden child of Essendon and the #standbyhird hash tag which was in full voice last year, the fact remains that Thompson is a better coach than Hird.
Geelong captain Tom Harley, who was captain in the two premierships Thompson coached, expressed this after Essendon’s’ thumping of Carlton Sunday night, “I believe he is coaching as well if not better than he ever has”.
This endorsement was quickly squashed by Thompson in the post-match interview when told by a journalist, almost hating the fact he is being spoken about in such glowing terms.
Thompson agreed to take on the coaching role as the best thing for Essendon. He loves the club he played for and won three premierships as a player with. The last thing he wanted was the hard work of the previous three years to go unrewarded.
With Thompson as coach, he is quickly transforming Essendon from a good side to a potential premiership side. Notable changes have been Brendon Goddard spending more time forward than he did under Hird, as well as a clear structure being established, with Jake Carlisle playing forward and Michael Hurley playing back.
Most notable is the change in game style. They average 168 handballs across the first three rounds and lead the competition in average disposals with 435 – 35 more than any other team. They have a high uncontested game, averaging 146 marks – 41 more than Hawthorn, who are known for their precise foot skills and uncontested possession rate.
Thompson has been very loyal to Essendon and Hird. With no coaching experience before taking on the Essendon job, Hird needed an experienced assistant. Thompson has not just been that but very much the architect for game style and player development.
The season will play out and as we get closer to the finals, much will be said and written about Hird’s reintroduction to Essendon from his suspension. What will be of note is how the players and fans react. Most will welcome Hird back with open arms and no residual feelings for what occurred last year, but some may be less inclined to do so.
As for the coaching position itself, there is very little chance Thompson will lead the club beyond this year. However, if Essendon can go deep and even add its 17th premiership, this may be rethought.
No matter what happens, season 2014 will be much happier than 2013 and next season will see the return of Essendon’s much-loved son. In what capacity, we will wait with eager anticipation.
Ian Barbary
Guest
Dockers won't win a priemership under Ross Lyon don't be suprised to see the Hawks and Bombers fight it out this year and maybe a couple after that
Brian
Guest
I hat to admit it but I really like Bomber's attitude this year. I only say that because as a Hawks supporter he's basically spent he's entire career at our 2 greatest rivals involved in the biggest games against us. His honesty adds to the entertainment of following the AFL. I'll tip the Bombers to make top 4 this year but no chance for the flag, that's for Geelong, Freo and Hawks to sort out.
Brian
Guest
In 2001 I believe Davdi Parkin was head coach and Wayne Brittain did matchdays
Lroy
Guest
Bombers could be 3 and 0.. played great against the Hawks.. looking forward to the rematch. Realistically I think round 8 is the important one.. by then everyone has played a couple of good teams, a couple of bad ones and a few in the middle. If your sitting tenth after 8 rounds thats pretty much where you are going to finish up. There will be the occasional side that jump or fall one or 2 spots, but for most of the teams, thats where they willl remain come the end of August.
TomC
Roar Guru
It's an interesting dilemma, but I tend to think that head coaches should be seen more as the head of a coaching team these days, so if Hird comes back and Thompson stays as a senior assistant the Bombers don't necessarily need to lose anything. That said, the Bombers' style has been a bit different. They are heavily focused on possessing the ball, and seem determined to run other teams into the ground. But if Hird does come back into a team with a successful style he would be mad to make too many changes. He can build on what Thompson has set up.
Aransan
Guest
Didn't David Parkin have a match day coach? I must admit I thought Hird was weak on match day on a couple of occasions, does emotion and passion over-ride logic for him?
Cat
Roar Guru
I look forward to the drama at Essendon when this season is up and Bomber Thompson moves on to do whatever he decides to do and the EFC do worse once Hird is back in control then they did the year before under Thompson.
Ash of Geelong
Guest
Essendon should learn a lesson from Collingwood, their succession plan with Nathan Buckley cost them 2011 flag as Mick had them flying then the wheels fell off with angst between himself and Eddie, so I can see the same thing unfolding here Bomber has them flying and Hird wants the controls win loose or draw.
Avatar
Roar Guru
If Essendon could, then they can make Hird and Bomber co-coaches for the 2015 season. Hird could oversee the club's training and Bomber could be the match day coach, or vice versa. I can't recall the last time any AFL club has had co-coaches, but I do remember the NRL's Dragons having co-coaches early in their merged history (circa 1999).
Joel Clarke
Roar Pro
I meant fear of winning praise. If I could edit it I would.
marty
Guest
Will get real interesting if they win the flag.Will bomber go back to being an assistant? How could hird come back in these circumstances? It seems no matter what happens at Essendon the potential for controversy and scandal is always just bubbling under the surface. Very good side though very exciting to watch in particular Winderlich and Heppel
david
Guest
If the bombers get infraction notices then Melbourne and the Gold Coast will get them too. Seen as though Dank was was being paid by the afl to work at the suns it's about time this complete mess is just dusted under the rug which will happen shortly.
Bosk
Guest
Bomber's biggest worry right now would hardly be a fear of success, but rather being issued with an infraction by ASADA later in the month - don't forget he was in up to his neck in the Peptides scandal and either happily turned a blind eye to what was happening or was a willing accomplice of Hird, Dank & Robinson. Given Bomber's history with Dean Robinson at Geelong I'd say the latter was far more likely, but of course it all comes down to what ASADA is able to prove. Essendon's shredding machines certainly got a workover once Demetriou tipped them off that the ACC report was incoming and ultimately this is the only thing that's saved the club from utter disaster thus far.