Ben Rutten will remain as Essendon coach – for now.
But after a Monday of rumours, conjecture and an emergency Bombers board meeting, the 39-year old’s future at the club is still hanging in the balance.
President Paul Brasher’s resignation was the only domino to fall as the board convened, their second meeting in a turbulent 24 hours that also featured a humiliating 84-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday evening.
Former Channel 10 executive David Barham has been named to replace Brasher at the helm.
Club CEO Xavier Campbell fronted the media on Monday afternoon, refuting claims that Rutten had been sacked.
“Ben’s our coach,” he is reported to have said.
However, the Bombers are also said to be seriously considering a heavy pursuit of in-demand four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, who has been heavily linked to the vacant North Melbourne position, though not yet confirmed.
The rumour mill clicked into overdrive during the morning, when 3AW’s Neil Mitchell claimed Rutten had already been informed that he has coached his final game, with assistant Daniel Giansiracusa to take over for the Bombers’ final game of the season, against Richmond on Saturday night.
https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1558993155894444032
Rutten is currently contracted to the end of 2023.
The club have been conducting an internal review since midway through the season, with Brasher adamant in May that Rutten would ‘definitely not’ be removed as coach.
According to The Age, the announcement of the review has divided the board, with some feeling Brasher should have commissioned an independent review rather than keeping things internal.
Having made finals in 2021 in Rutten’s first year at the helm, the Bombers have gone backwards this season, reaching rock bottom against the Power.
Prior to taking the senior role, Rutten was designated a year out as John Worsfold’s replacement, setting into motion a controversial coaching succession plan throughout 2020.
The Bombers sit 15th on the ladder with one round to go, having managed just seven wins for the season.
The club, the AFL’s equal most successful alongside Carlton with 16 VFL/AFL premiership, has famously not won a final since 2004.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Did Neg Guy run off with that spreadsheet?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I think maybe that’s how it use to work, players wouldn’t really debut until the year after they were drafted, teams use to protect the young guys more. But after a few had breakout first years it just became the new trend to play them early. I think anyway.lol. But it makes sense your bodys still growing and your joints etc are still developing so thats a lot of physical pressure on these y I ung kids bodies before there bodies are even finished growing and developing. They may seriously have to look at lifting the draft age even if it was just a year plus it would help these kids out by being able to completely concentrate on school instead of being drafted the same year they complete yr12 etc.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Well with this emotional circus we may have to & clubs might in fact be forced to allow players drafted to bulk up before debut. Either way it’s a conundrum of sorts. Fortunately common sense prevailed but what irks me is why it actually went to tribunal in the first place. Clearly they are embarrassed about the Cripps verdict & try as they might for some solace to act on behalf of a skinny kid knocking his head on the ground. Where to from here Adam :shocked:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
He got off first he. I think I read that before crashing after poker but was abit of alcohol involved.lol. spot on man the AFL may have to seriously consider raising the age of players before they are drafted.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Adam it was done within 3 meters of the ball more like 1 1/2 meters on impact. The perfect hip & shoulder bump. At first when they sent it to tribunal they didn’t grade it fuc.king circus. Everyone will be watching closely on the outcome. The kid hit his head on the ground that caused the concussion not the impact of Cordy knocking the kid for 6. If your skinny in future don’t play light underdeveloped kids. 22 & older only to play AFL otherwise this Bullsh.t
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Please nooooooo.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
That's ridiculous if its a fair hit, maybe the other guy shouldn't be playing yet if he can't take the physicality yet. Put on some muscle and come back latter.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Flags in our shorts & make it a non contact sport this is the future of AFL
Lukey Miller
Guest
Could be worse for Essendon, they could have the Eagles head recruiter doing the job for them.
Lukey Miller
Guest
I think Clarkson would be carefully assessing the competing clubs on their playing lists and potential. He would also be evaluating the clubs' professionalism, integrity and how they treat their people - so he might just be giving Essendon a miss this time.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
A swap of Ratten and Rutten could help both teams to not be so rotten
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Reckon Clarko will be coaching Nth. They have dangled the keys to North Melbourne Mazda Football Club :stoked:
O M
Roar Rookie
He wants to coach the North Reserves?? :stoked:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Excessive force Adam is the judgement, gee wiz in future we can’t as players go in with full intent that’s the whole meaning of the word get the ball in AFL it’s a life blood of our conscious belief in the game. If he gets suspended it has huge ramifications.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
As long as he didnt hit him high he should be alright. What do want players to take a pillow out there and lay it down for those players that don't have a hard head or don't instantly protect themselves when going to the ground. Maybe give Carlton a call and ask to borrow their lawyer.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Feel for Cordy he’s going to the bloody tribunal for ‘excessive force’ for bumping a young small frame the kid got concussion when his head hit the ground not from the bump. What a farce if he gets 1 week for that Sh.t l’ll be fu.King ropeable :angry:
DriveBy
Roar Rookie
also "Club CEO Xavier Campbell fronted the media on Monday afternoon, refuting claims that Rutten had been asked."
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Rotten?
RT
Roar Rookie
:angry:
Panozzo
Roar Rookie
Geelong sacked Bob Davis a year after he coached them to a flag, they waited 40+ years to win another, Melbourne sacked Norm Smith after 6 flags they waited 57 years to win another. Richmond sacked Tom hafey after 4 flags and in quick succession Tony jewell after 1 flag and waited 37 years. Essendon sacked Sheedy in a dreadful deceitful manner and there at 20 years and counting Idiot committee members on power trips rip the fabric of clubs apart