If you’re an Essendon supporter, or an AFL fan for that matter, and think that the Bombers’ game plan is completely to blame for the absolute nose dive they took this season, you’re kidding yourself.
Sure, to some extent the stagnant movement of the ball and the desire to keep possession was definitely a problem, especially for a fast-paced team that thrived off movement through the corridor, transition and counter attacks. But Essendon’s problems go far deeper than just on-field simulation.
This is a blatant culture issue.
The toxicity around Essendon, and the standards of mediocrity that have followed them around for years, is starting to haunt the Bombers in ways they could never imagine.
John Worsfold claimed that they were a good club and that they weren’t far off when it came to competing. At the beginning of the season with the club at 4-1, that seemed more and more likely.
Weeks later, when they had lost eight out of the last ten, the narrative drastically changed to become the complete opposite, with Worsfold inevitably taking a swipe at the club in the process, and potentially causing a rift between him and the supporters.
So can anyone tell us where Essendon are really at? How can a team crumble so badly? Is it really a lack of consistency, or are there things going on behind the scenes? Because I’m certainly not convinced.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Media/Getty Images)
This coaching transition between Worsfold and Ben Rutten could not have been more rocky, and multiple times throughout the season we begged the question: who is really in charge here?
We eventually found out it was Rutten, and his stop-start game plan was certainly not favourable among the playing group. It’s not hard to see. He didn’t have their support. But neither the footy department or higher management has done anything to figure this out.
Everyone is pointing the finger at someone else, not ready to take the blame or cop the brunt of the situation. That’s poor.
The clear absence of Dyson Heppell and the constant shuffling of the leadership group is another factor that cannot be ignored. Heppell only played three games this season due to a fractured ankle. However for the last couple of years he has found it tough to gather any consistent form, making it hard for him to influence games in any way.
Given these circumstances, the Bombers need to look at sorting out a new captain in the off-season. A fresh face and on-ground presence is what they have been needing to secure throughout a fairly tumultuous campaign.
The Bombers also have to stop shuffling their leadership group. At the beginning of every season there are players moving in and out of the group, which doesn’t look great for the stability of the team. My advice: keep it simple and keep it consistent.
So now it brings me to the situation that they are in now. They’ve lost coach John Worsfold, Conor McKenna, Tom Bellchambers, Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia all within the space of four weeks, and both Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley are also uncertain as to where they’ll be in 2021.
Both Daniher and Fantasia indicated their desire to be traded elsewhere last year and this situation was inevitable. They had no desire to play for Essendon this season. So why would you hold them at the club against their will?
Why wouldn’t you trade them and grab some lucrative draft picks in return? This only adds to the heightened tension around Tullamarine and the situation is absolutely baffling.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Essendon were shocked when Saad indicated that he was interested in being traded. I wasn’t. No one who puts off signing a contract for a good week or two then looks to re-sign. He was clearly disgruntled with the club. The poor form, the way they were playing him and the way that the game style didn’t suit his attributes made it a seemingly easier decision than it actually looked.
The one thing that the Bombers should be shocked about is where he wanted to be traded to: Carlton. It had to be them, didn’t it?
But here’s the stinger: he is going to the Blues on a similar salary to what he’s receiving now from Essendon, not even significantly more. It clearly shows where both clubs are at. Carlton is now a more attractive option, and a more popular club for free agents and rightfully so.
They have a decent game plan, a stable coaching and leadership structure, and a brilliant culture crafted by David Teague. And even though both these teams finished two spots away from each other on the ladder, it seems that Carlton is in a much better position for finals contention next year.
Oh yeah, and just in case you forgot, they’re picking up that Zac Williams guy too. No big deal.
Essendon need to fix up their attitude and culture, and until they do that, the club will continue to spiral out of control.
Seano
Roar Rookie
Culture is so overrated, just do your job. Look at Dusty off his chops after the premiership, same as the eagles and pies and cats and Roos in there prime. Le We are nowhere near as bad as the tigers at the end of 2016, we can turn it around.
Tim
Guest
Lots of generic statements with nothing to back them up in the article... Let's not forget that most, if not all, 'experts' picked the Bombers to finish well outside of the 8 coming into the year and then taking into account the rash of injuries and covid, it wasn't really surprising where they wound up. Not saying the culture is great at the moment but on field they are just not a great team.
Greg Baker
Guest
The first change Essendon should make is to move on Adrian Dodoro. In 1998 he inherited a side that was virtually unbeatable for the next three years. Since 2001 he has never once looked like developing a list that has been capable of challenging for a top four spot. In fact in that period we are one of only three clubs not to have at least played in a Preliminary Final, and one of the others is GOLD COAST. Yes the supplement saga penalties had an impact but we were mediocre for ten years leading up to that and are still mediocre five years later. Compare this to Geelong who have just finished top four for the eleventh time in fourteen years despite having to replace the likes of Ling, Scarlett, Bartel, Enright, Corey, Johnson, Chapman, Kelly etc etc etc plus not having Ablett for six years. It doesn't matter how good the coaching staff is or how good the administration is, if you can't recruit talent you are not going to achieve consistency, let alone success.
ProtectedZone
Roar Rookie
Post on another forum from an ex-staffer suggests "management" has restructured / reorganised / cleaned out the internal club stalwarts in pursuit of business strategies that disregard "old-fashioned" football club ethos and values. Out with the long-serving amateurs and in with the fresh, new professionals. Several other ex-employees / volunteers responded in agreement. If that's the case, it's not hard to see that the history, heart and soul has been sacrificed for the corporate goals of the modern football "business". Given that EFC now seems all merchandising and spin - what exactly are today's players supposed to buy-in TO?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I think the coronavirus forced changes this season pushed a lot of clubs but with the bombers it exacerbated the problems that were just under the surface. I think they’re trying to make changes now for them with a new president coming in but they need to get rid of doddorro and bring in someone new, I’d put my hand up but I live in Sydney and don’t know a huge amount about footy. I’d probably bring in lloydy and Lucas as either development coaches or line coaches, I’d bring back Hird on a part time gig as an opposition strategy coach and I’d place a lot more emphasis on player welfare; and playing an instinctive brand of footy
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Ben rutten was a player for the Adelaide crows playing as a full back from 2002-2014. He then moved into assistant coaching at Richmond the year after and was brought over from Richmond to essendon at the end of 2018 to give the bombers a harder edge.
Blitz
Guest
Woosha can build a clubs culture after it’s been brought to its knees. He was given free reign to do it at WC after Cousins/Judd - one just has to look at the culture and list that he handed to Adam Simpson for proof. I suspect that coterie group etc have been undermining Essendon for a long time. There was a good article in The Age a few weeks ago claiming that Woosh was blocked on key decisions. It seems to be a very divided club and there is probably a lot of finger pointing going on which can be a good thing if done correctly but it doesn’t look like it has been. Many wanted Rutten. Now that they have him they can deal with the consequences of that decision. For them I hope that he turns it around quickly.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
I am not an Essendon supporter, but I can see where you’re coming from on a lot of these points. Is it just me or does the Daniher name carry too much weight at Essendon. Joe has had his good games, but has always lacked consistency or been injured, hardly the makings of a star or champion. Also excuse my ignorance, but I’ve not heard of Rutten before.
Shane
Guest
Dodoro. Look at the club statement he released. It's like he is living in another universe. He can't play hardball, there are too many other options for Carlton to pursue. If Saad remains, it would be the worst outcome for Essendon. Essendon are not a destination club. Their reputation remains in tatters. They need to be humble, and rebuild not only their list, but their brand. What do they stand for? To me it seems self importance and over inflated ego.
Jarrod
Guest
Steven, do some more research mate
Paul
Guest
As an Essendon supporter I am angry and saddened to see our great club have these issues. But are we really all that surprised. We have had cultural issues since before the drugs saga. This has unfortunately crept into every department in the football club. The coaching merry go round is the biggest issue. From Knights to Hird to Bomber to Woosha and now to Truck. All in 15 years. Different coach, different approach, different risk attitude and different game plan. You need to build a team for the game you want to play. The other major issue has been that we have kept onto too many players over the years who could not play consistent footy. You don't need champions on every line but you need a team of players who hate losing and will scrap and chase and tackle and harrass and do it all again because that is the way that they are made. Give me that team anytime and I will be proud of the way we play. If we lose, we lose but we won't give it to you on a platter. There is no point in having so called champions (who have not done anything) such as Daniher, if one week they show up and for the next three weeks they do not get a touch. We need to ask ourselves which players show up time and time again. And do everything to keep onto those types. The Saad case is a sad one because he was that type of player. And perhaps a stronger team culture would have swayed him to stay. But perhaps he just wants to see success and we cannot give it to him just yet. Never the less the President, the CEO, Truck and Dodoro have it all ahead of them. And this is a good thing. The pressure is right on from the start. I like others am sick of waiting but realistically it will take another three years to develop a good team that holds up under finals pressure. However, let's see what we are made of. Roll the dice.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
If Hooker or Hurley move to another club they will have to take a pay cut, they have been looked after very well at Essendon. I believe there were two factors that affected Essendon’s performances in 2020: The shortened season gave less time between games for players to learn a new game plan. A long injury list limited their ability to rotate players between games, rotations were necessary due to frequent short turnarounds. Daniher moving will actually force Essendon to address the problem of not having a key forward, they had been vainly hoping that he would have been available for the last two years. Fantasia has been injured and one wonders about his commitment to Essendon. Essendon have been too soft on their players since the supplements saga. The departure of Saad is a loss.