Barring some monumental upsets over the next fortnight, John Worsfold’s five-year reign as Essendon coach is coming to an end in two weeks.
He’ll almost certainly be the only senior coach departing their club in 2020, and although he hasn’t been sacked, the curious and sudden timing of his succession plan with Ben Rutten being announced carried many of the same hallmarks.
The man known as ‘Woosha’ will always occupy a small part of Bombers folklore for his herculean efforts in steering them through the compromised 2016 season, but after a meteoric rise and subsequent stagnation, the reception hasn’t always been as rosy.
He defied all expectations by getting the Dons back inside the top eight the next season, only for them to get thumped. They traded aggressively that off-season but failed to make the eight in 2018 before returning to finals in 2019 and getting thumped in the first week again.
The common consensus appears to be that he’s failed to capitalise on a breakout 2017 and strong recruiting, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
To get the right context for Worsfold’s induction we need to go back a few years. With then-coach James Hird suspended for the 2014 season, two-time Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson took the reigns and guided Essendon to seventh, from where they lost an all-time classic elimination final to North Melbourne.
Unfortunately they massively overestimated the quality of their list that off-season. ASADA penalties ruined their draft plans, but spending a second-rounder on Adam Cooney and signing James Gwilt in free agency – both nearly 30 at the time – was a clear sign they thought they were ready to contend.
They weren’t. The bottom fell out in 2015 with a 6-16, 15th-place finish, seeing Hird moved on and Worsfold brought in ahead of a season that was almost certainly going to be ruined by ASADA suspensions. Dustin Fletcher, Paul Chapman and Jason Winderlich retired, while another 12 players were rubbed out for 2016, including Dyson Heppell, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker, Michael Hibberd and Tom Bellchambers.
Very few senior coaches have walked into such a difficult situation, but Worsfold and co. hit the ground running with an excellent draft haul that off-season, nabbing Darcy Parish, Aaron Francis, Mason Redman and Mitch Brown, the latter three players all coming from draft picks gained by offloading Jake Melksham, Jake Carlisle and Jonathan Giles. Then they plucked Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in the rookie draft before nailing it with most of their top-up selections.
While the 2016 season itself was never going to end in anything other than a wooden spoon, their three wins for the season was five more than anyone expected going in. They also crushed it again in the off-season, drafting Andrew McGrath, Jordan Ridley, Josh Begley, Dylan Clarke and Sam Draper. The former two stand out from the others, but there are no rotten apples in that bunch.
Then, with the old cast back together, Woosha weaved some magic to get them to 12-10 and earn them a spot in the finals. It’s really, really, really important people take both 2015 and 2016 into account when they look back on 2017. This wasn’t a contender returning to their best after external forces halted their march the previous season; this was the full potential of a fairly average list being realised for a commendable result, but that was far as it was always going to get.
Where the narrative now insists that rising no further with the acquisitions of Jake Stringer, Adam Saad and Devon Smith that off-season was a failure, I present a more rational insight.
Stringer, Saad and Smith have been fine acquisitions, but they weren’t going to take Essendon to the top and the club knew it. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The equation was never as simple as ‘2017 Bombers + Stringer + Saad + Smith = top four’ – no matter how much Dons fans insisted it was – because they had the small matter of dealing with the retirements of contested possession leader Jobe Watson and halfback general James Kelly.
Smith and Saad weren’t really ‘additions’ at all; they were urgent reinforcements for a middling side who’d lost two very important pieces. While Stringer was supposed to be the icing on top up forward, Daniher’s injury woes over the last three seasons have meant he too has been required for maintaining their level rather than improving it. Without him the Bombers would’ve been forced to play Hooker exclusively up forward for the last three years.
Bombers fans may bemoan Worsfold for acquiring that trio and not moving forward. Instead they should be thankful they’re not languishing in the bottom four without them. If you could spend picks 11, 30 and a future second-rounder to replace your club’s best midfielder, halfback rebounder at an age discount while adding an experienced mid-sized forward, you’d do it in a heartbeat.
That’s not even mentioning that Essendon’s 2018 ‘failed’ win-loss record was identical to 2017’s and just 1.4 percentage points worse off – and it was actually better than the 2019 record that saw them qualify for finals once more.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Pick 9 for Dylan Shiel is the one people are still unsure of, but the Dons were without Smith for virtually all of last season and have been without Heppell for virtually all of this one, so we still haven’t really seen the midfield they’ve been trying put together on the field yet.
Would they be a premiership side with a healthy Daniher as well as having Shiel, Heppell and Smith in the midfield this whole time? Not quite, but it’s not unreasonable to assert they’d have been better than 12-10.
Their two finals thumpings under Woosha are also misleading. They came up against the hottest sixth-place team in VFL/AFL history when they got dumped by the Swans in 2017, a year they’d crushed fifth-placed Port Adelaide by 70 points and eighth-placed West Coast by 61. Last year’s elimination final drubbing was against a West Coast side who absolutely should’ve been in the top four.
Again, I’m not claiming fate conspired against them winning the flag, but the manner of their finals exits was a harsh reflection on their quality.
Worsfold leaves the Bombers with only five players over the age of 30 and a good core of players in the 24-28 age bracket, but what’s most encouraging is an under-24 group with 488 games under its collective belt. McGrath’s development has been managed perfectly, while Kyle Langford, Ridley, Francis and Parish have all blossomed under Worsfold’s tutelage. More recently the likes of Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Sam Draper and Irving Mosquito have all shown promise.
They’ve drafted incredibly well during his tenure and their trades have almost all paid off. This year has been a disappointment, but they’ve pushed the likes of Richmond, West Coast and GWS all the way.
Their list isn’t perfect, but Ben Rutten doesn’t enter the job in 2021 needing to tear things down or kick off a rebuild. Some Bombers fans can’t wait to see the back of Woosha, but if they do secure that 17th flag in the next five or so years, he’ll have played an almighty part in it.
Mark
Roar Rookie
You 3 should call yourselves…”Captain S@lty and the Shakers”! You have no class at all Dangersmear.
Blitz
Guest
Great call Pedro and no disrespect to the Crows or Adelaide but Woosh probably didn’t want to live in Adelaide, but if he had of stayed for a few years he may have another flag or two under his belt by now - possible sliding door moment with the benefit of hindsight. If he’d achieved that he would be in even greater demand than he already is. I think Woosh (I do have SOME inside knowledge as I know a few past and present players that played with him and under him) wanted to coach a big Melbourne club after West Coast - he thrives on huge, seemingly insurmountable challenges - that should be obvious! He will always be a West Coast legend and man in his heart (biggest and richest club in the land) - he went to the Blues to assist Parkin post-playing-career, another big club and big challenge. Woosh loves huge challenges - he thrives on it and his wife and family wonder why he keeps driving himself (they have plenty of money) which is why he’s had to make very some hard calls over the years. He was having significant marriage issues in his last few year at WC (during the cultural rebuild) that distracted him from his job at WC and this was why he resigned ie his wife said enough is enough after decades of single-minded footy dedication and he knew in his heart that he couldn’t give it 100% so he handed the reigns to Simmo who knows full well how fortunate he has been to take the reigns, and he has done an incredible job in his own right. Woosha’s wife has been living in Perth for almost 2 years so he resigned and let Rutten take the reigns. If any club was seeking a leader to drag them up from their knees and remake them, Woosha would be on your very, very, shortlist. The challenge for him in this next phase of his life is that if he wants to remain intimately and physically involved in an AFL club (his wish), and remain married, is that’s it’s going to very tough to do that from Perth as it’s a two-team town. Sure, he can be a consultant to any AFL club and he can make a lot of money consulting on management and leadership for corporations but I know that it’s clubland that’s floats his boat (up until now at least). Pedro, good call. If Woosh had of stayed at the Crows and won a flag or two the next phase of his life may well have been that much different.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Gees seems I might have hit a nerve.. guess the external pressure really is building on the tigs, not only is their coach getting snappy, but equally so their supporters. Ironic comments about our fans coming from a tigers fan, as I'm pretty certain your supporter base is universally known as the simple folk, -seemingly made up of high school drop outs, drunkards, and angry 15 year old kids. You strike me as the type of person who probably senses their time in the sun is coming to an end, same as the tigers as a playing group, and an institution. Easy to call others "sooks" when the competition is literally designed to favour your team. You know you wouldn't have won 17 without the gifted home finals, and it burns you that we all know it too. Would have taken a genuine person to admit as much, and a coward to try and blanket over it with empty words and petty insults. You've won 2 premierships and been competitive for what, 3 out of the last 40 years, and you think that suddenly makes you king of the jungle? lol mate, your pathetic club was irrelevant before 2017, and they'll be back were they belong before you know it. The day we start taking advice about "respect" from the tigers is the day we no longer respect ourselves...
Mark
Roar Rookie
What a prize sook. No wonder you Cats Supporters regularly come out on top of Polls asking who the AFL’s Saltiest Supporters are! Just look at the miserable band of Cats Supporters who Post in here for example (prime offenders Doc & Yatts)…always sooking it up about how unfair life is for Geelong and denigrating other Teams. Not surprising really considering who your Coach is. Definitely no class whatsoever and an endless source of amusement for us all, especially Richmond Supporters. Maybe try winning some Finals first, particularly against the Tigers then you may be deserving of some respect.
Mark
Roar Rookie
We've had this tired old discussion before Doc and I discredited your arguments at the time. It seems according to you, that if any of the MCG tenants win the Premiership then its tainted or 'gifted' to use your terminology. If you feel the Competition is so corrupted why do you bother following AFL? It must cause you to live in a state of perpetual frustration and upset. Reading your Posts and their tone actually confirms this. This system isn't perfect....there are many and varied imperfections but to be quite blunt only a blinkered and disingenuous curmudgeon would attempt to discredit an AFL Premier lime you do. So as a result, if you insist on pushing that childis approach I find having any sort of football discussion with you pointless.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The irony is spectacular. You freely admit that Geelong has a significant home ground advantage (like most teams) yet fail to acknowledge the significant advantage teams like the Tiges have on GF day at the 'G. A ground that is also significantly different in its width to most other AFL grounds around the country. Thanks for making my point....again.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Hilarious….Geelong has the greatest AFL gifted/sanctioned “Home ” Ground advantage in the League. Its the biggest rort in the AFL and the Cats are a laughing stock because of it. Not even “deep down” but quite obviously you know I’m right. :happy:
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
At least Scott won his without the significant assistance of the AFL. It must be tough for Hardwick and his fans — winning, yet knowing they're second best. Deep down, you know I'm right.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Cats might win this one but the Tigers will win the game that counts.....just like 2017 & 2019!! The Cats go to pieces in the Finals and the Tigers have their number. As Spruce has displayed, Scotty is not a Finals Coach. Maybe its because he hasn't truly won a Premiership he can own whereas Hardwick has 2.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Edit: make that 6 AA players, including Goddard.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I agree with your assessment of Woosha, although I don't think they overestimated their list to the extent that you say they did. If you go back 12 months or so to round 17 in 2013, the Bombers were 13-3 and equal second on the ladder, with five current or future All-Australians on their list (Watson, Heppell, Hurley, Hooker and Merrett), one of whom was at that point the reigning Brownlow medalist. This was under the shadow of the ASADA investigation and associated media scrutiny, too. They were a top-4 side. It was around that time (late July) that it became apparent the AFL was going to boot the Bombers out of the finals, even though the official announcement didn't come for another month. They proceeded to drop five of their next six games (including a few thumpings). In 2014 they had a stand-in coach who was bitter about being fined by the AFL, and in 2015 the wheels fell completely off when WADA announced it was appealing the AFL Tribunal's not guilty verdict. The Bombers just never had any clear air in a period when they should have been aiming for top 4. Now, I'm not saying they would have had success if there was no saga. They still might have missed out on top 4 spots in 2013-2014 and been bundled out of the finals. All I'm saying is that it's wrong to simply dismiss the state of their list at that point. They were clearly a more competitive side then than they have been at any time since. The big mistake was the arrogance of recruiting as if they weren't in the midst of a crisis. None of that is Woosha's fault, though. As you say, he still had to contend with the loss of key personnel in 2014-2015 (retirements, plus the loss of Ryder, Hibberd, Carlisle, Crameri and Melksham), lack of young talent due to lost draft picks and the reintegration of senior players in 2017 who had lost some of their prime years to the saga. I think he was the right man at the right time, just as I think standing aside is the right thing for him to do now.
Dylillama
Guest
I’m just not convinced this club has had a proper reckoning with the leadership and culture that allowed the doping scandal to happen in the first place. They are tracking about where they should coming back from that, but have been spending draft capital as if they are contenders and playing hard ball at the trade table. I’m not sure the right people have left or the right decisions been taken. I feel entirely neutral about this club, but feel they are one who has overrated their chances for near on 20 years. Being a big Melbourne club success does not make. Could be proven entirely wrong next year and I think it’s absolutely right to change to rutten as soon as possible, but I don’t think that any of the underlying issues that precipitated the drugs scandal have actually been dealt with. Would love to be proved wrong.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Geelong will win the premiership this year, but it won’t be the beginning of a new dynasty.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Perfect summary. No MCG finals = no premiership for the tigers. Anyone denying this is simply delusional. Would have lost to the cats in 17, probably never made the final, and even if they did, on neutral territory they would have been belted by the white hot crows (same as the hawks in 15). 2019 -again, 9-10 games at the G to finish the season? How's that for "fair" eyy.. Don't know what's more pathetic, getting special treatment because you've failed for so sooo long, or deluding yourself into thinking you did it fair and square after the fact. I guess only tiger fans would know. Let's see what happens this week, they're due to be put back in their place, but if it rains it might just even things up and make it a contest. Fingers crossed it doesn't, so we can see which system prevails, precision and class vs chaos (+diving).
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah I know my French sucks.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
You ain't Robinson Crusoe, Chucka.
Jake Ramzy
The bombers had it good for a long time, it's refreshing to see them get flogged. I'm a Geelong supporter and crushing the Don's is what makes life wonderful. They'll be back one day but for now it's Geelong's turn to do the bullying.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
I forgot about Waite! Leaving probably kept him going longer. Same with Eddie
Macca
Roar Rookie
Robbo, Garlett, Betts & Waite were all driven out under Malthouse - we got nothing for any of them. Fortunately we have a new Robbo - Cotrell!!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'm not basing my logic on who has the better record at the Gabba against an ordinary team at all. I'm basing it on Richmond getting pounded this week by the better football team on neutral turf. The same neutral turf the Tigers will likely find themselves on during the finals.