Essendon champion Dustin Fletcher will sever ties with the Bombers after the AFL coaching aspirant wasn’t offered a job with the club.
Fletcher, 40, retired at the end of the season after 400 games and two premierships.
The well-respected defender has coaching aspirations and was keen to remain with the Bombers in a coaching capacity but is looking elsewhere after no offer to join John Worsfold’s staff was forthcoming.
“I would have liked to have helped out at Essendon a bit but that didn’t go down,” Fletcher told SEN after Australia was defeated by Ireland in the International Rules Series in Dublin.
“I’ve got a few little things on the go … I’ll get back to Melbourne and get into it.”
Worsfold was appointed to replace sacked senior coach James Hird in October and completed his assistant coaching panel with the addition of former Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna. He joined Mark Harvey, Mark Neeld and Hayden Skipworth on Worsfold’s staff.
A groin injury suffered in his 400th game in round nine stopped Fletcher from taking part in a farewell game with Essendon but he was able to participate in Saturday’s one-off Test match at Croke Park.
Fletcher was the goalkeeper for the Australian side that suffered a four-point defeat.
“I was pretty nervous because we played a bit of a different style but in the second half I got the idea of it,” he said.
“It was disappointing – the career’s over and we just didn’t get over the line.”
Redb
Roar Guru
Great. yourself?
Casper
Guest
Jax - I don't think Lloyd will really care. Even towards the end of last year when Hird was still coach, he was undecided whether he would be involved again. Can't say I have noticed any anti WC or anti Worsfold comments from him. I reckon he just calls it as he sees it. Then again he did play against the WC mid 2000's team, so maybe he has some opinions on that.
jax
Guest
Not face to face but I've read his articles and watched him on TV for years and I don't think his opinion of Woosh, his negative attitude, his media roles (and close links and history to the club and his friendship with Hird) is what Woosh and the club needs as they embark on a revamp of the culture and values. Woosh pushed him aside for a reason. Woosh has said that Lloyd is welcome to work with Joey when Woosh approves of it - that's the coach drawing a line in the sand and letting Lloyd know his place and know who the boss is. Lloyd was a great player (dirty but great) and I'm sure that he can help Joey in a lot of ways but he probably needs to work on his attitude and the break will probably be good for everyone. Woosh needs space to put his stamp himself on the club and the group and after what Lloyd has said about Woosh and WC over the years I doubt that Lloyd is 100% behind Woosh. I haven't seen a strong media statement like that from Lloyd have you? If he's not 110% behind Woosh then he shouldn't be given much clout, pretty simple really. I know Woosh well enough to know that he did it for a reason. I'm only taking a stab at the reason and I could be wrong. It's just an observation and opinion.
Casper
Guest
"Lloyd's energy is toxic" - what are you basing that on? Have you seen this toxic energy first hand?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Redb Having seen you round here too often. How are you going?
Redb
Roar Guru
Fletch will have a game day role at the club in 2016. It's not coaching but time to assess his options and maybe look elsewhere.
jax
Guest
After 40 years at the one club it might be a good idea for Dustin to experience something else. Lloyd wasn't given an official role either, he was a Woosh hater and it's clear he still doesn't like WC. I don't know what's going on inside their walls but Woosh knows what he's doing. Probably wanted to clean out some of the old energy. Nothing against Dustin but Lloyd's energy is toxic IMO. Good luck Bombers fans, you're in good hands.
Penster
Guest
Essendon would be forgiven for being skittish about appointing "favourite son" ex players to the coaching staff. If Dustin is anything like his old man Ken, he'll do well at coaching some level. Ken was footy coach at my school in the 80's and a better coach and mentor would be hard to find. Respect for that family.
Laze
Guest
Craig has also left too. But I think 'WhereIsGene' was just mentioning all the recent hires of ex-Head coaches.
Don Freo
Guest
I think you'll find that Thompson is not involved. Only you could make an error in a non-comment.
WhereIsGene
Guest
Clearly Essendon are only interested in hiring former head coaches. Thompson, Harvey, Neeld, Craig, Worsfold, McKenna. I'm surprised they haven't given Tim Watson some sort of development role, although he's been pretty busy cheerleading for the 'our players are innocent!' PR campaign.