We’re on the eve of what shapes as a spectacular finals series of rare depth, and an unforgettable final round that promises explosive results. Yet somehow, here we are with Essendon dominating the headlines.
Maybe it’s a good thing.
Rather than hearing empty platitudes from the upcoming finals combatants (I doubt we’re going to get anything near Ed Langdon’s “duck or no dinner” comments over the next month or so), the top eight teams can let their football do the talking. It’s been speaking loudly enough after all.
Monday was a day of upheaval at Windy Hill. The rumours and reports were flying thick and fast, and it seemed no two journos in town were across the same information.
President Paul Brasher had either been sacked or resigned. Ben Rutten was sacked too, until he wasn’t. Daniel Giansiracusa was coaching Essendon this week, or not. Alastair Clarkson had either not been contacted, was going to be reached out to, or had already agreed to a handshake deal.
CEO Xavier Campbell was either under pressure and the next to go, or rock solid and executing yet another review.
Who knows what will become of general manager Josh Mahoney, who has been spectacularly unsuccessful after his playing career. He was an assistant coach at Melbourne when they could barely win a game, got promoted to oversee the Mark Neeld era, and it was only after he left that the Dees turned things around immediately and won the flag.
Now he’s in charge of the disaster taking place at the Bombers.
About the only rumour that wasn’t passed around was the return of James Hird and Stephen Dank.
There has been a change of president, with Dave Barham replacing Brasher. Barham has been on the board for seven years, so has been a part of the systemic failures at the club. A classic Bombers move.
So, what does it actually mean for Ben Rutten? There has been disquiet about him almost from the time he came on board to serve an apprenticeship under John Worsfold. Before he even became senior coach, he denied Tom Bellchambers a farewell game, in an act that could not have endeared him to the playing group.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Essendon snuck into the eight in Rutten’s first proper season in charge, pouncing on a soft draw late, but with only 11 wins, four wins and 10 per cent behind sixth-placed Sydney. There were still murmurings.
And then they were never in the hunt this year, trounced in the opening game in by far the most spiritless performance of any team in Round 1. They did have a tough early draw, but to be 2-9 at the bye was pitiful, and while they looked like turning things around afterwards, nothing was at stake.
It’s hard to see Rutten surviving, given that he’s never been fully embraced. When you look at the likes of Bomber Thompson and Damian Hardwick surviving reviews and going on to coach premierships, they had shown the ingredients for success already.
Thompson took Geelong to a semi-final and a prelim in the two years before 2006, which was his annus horribilus.
Hardwick had twice coached Richmond to fifth on the ladder, plus another finals series, before his review in 2016. They had been in the chair much longer than what Rutten has, without the creeping discontent.
Rutten was an assistant under Hardwick, and helped deliver a premiership. But not every assistant under a multiple premiership coach automatically makes it.
Mick Malthouse gave us the misery of Mark Neeld at Melbourne and Scott Watters at St Kilda, while Alastair Clarkson had Brendon Bolton fail at Carlton. Hardwick himself saw Justin Leppitsch perform poorly at Brisbane in-between times at Richmond, and now Rutten.
Rutten’s position is now untenable, regardless of whether Essendon lands Clarkson. Brasher was the first domino to fall. Rutten will be the second.
Adrian Dodoro has been at the Bombers for two and a half decades, all of which has been involved in recruitment, the last 12 years as list manager. It’s a phenomenal achievement to not just keep your job but actively get promoted when you have crafted a list that hasn’t won a final since 2004.
Dodoro has built a midfield that is too small and not tough enough to compete with the best, let alone win finals. Dylan Shiel has been a high-profile flop. Jake Stringer has baggage that can’t be overcome.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Even Devon Smith, a best and fairest winner, was never the right fit, given an oversized role that neither his body nor ability was fit for.
Worst of all, Dodoro is in charge of a list build that has Dyson Heppell being publicly shopped around and getting interest from Gold Coast because the Bombers won’t commit to their own captain. It’s hugely embarrassing and a disgraceful slur against a man who has given his heart and soul to the club.
Whichever angle you look at the Essendon mess from, they are a shambles. The nuclear option is to blow the club up, and start again.
If Clarkson comes in, this will certainly be the case. And chaos will follow.
Clarkson is a pig-headed, hot-tempered coach, who demands total control and autonomy. Essendon is a club that is full of power-brokers who love putting in their two cents and getting things done their way. Ego is the number one ticket-holder.
And what if Clarkson is another Mick Malthouse to Carlton? Or Denis Pagan to Carlton? What about Malcolm Blight to St Kilda?
It’s been 18 years since Clarkson was appointed at Hawthorn. It’s a different time now, and his last two years at the Hawks provided mixed results at best. Life can come at you fast.
Either way, there will be chaos.
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
Excellent article! Dodoro should have been marched the door years ago. A complete fail. Anyways, I don't mind because the Bumblers have very arrogant supporters (including one of my best mates) for a Club that hasn't won a final in 18 years. Good appraisal on Clarkson, too. Let them together (if he takes the job) continue to inhabit the bottom 4 for as long as the federal LNP remain in the wilderness ...
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
The refusal to accept culpability for the drugging program is astonishing. There are delusional journalists who insinuate that it was ok to undertake a program where 100s of clandestine injections were administered in to the list. Maybe if they investigate the "suppliments" that Shane Charters supplied Hird with during his playing days, there may be 2 brownlows handed back
Vicboy
Roar Rookie
Harsh on Hafey - Pies played in GFs, with average lists; made Sydney humm, again playing plenty of finals. The difference now is Essendon is a divided club - Board, power brokers etc. They need an experienced CEO that can keep these people away from the footy - just raise the $ Eg Brian Cook
1dawg
Roar Rookie
This comment was really good not really bad.
Megeng
Roar Rookie
You clearly don't work in an office. It's bloody hard getting rid of an under-performing employee these days. Three strikes and all that, plus external reviews followed by a settlement. Most companies simply revert to fake redundencies to get rid of their dodgy staff. I'm not sure how you do that at a footy club. "We're making you redundant because we don't need footy players any more"....
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
He didn’t given Bellchambers a farewell game as well which is even more indefensible because that game was a dead rubber
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Essendon list is far from being bad,lot problem is a few them aren’t team players,as for bloke who disrespected the coach he should be booted straight out the door
Handles
Roar Guru
I don't much like the Bombers, but I don't think the list is that bad. I like Perkins, Draper, Jones, Cox, Hind, Ridley, Redman, Merritt and McGrath, that is a solid core. Not sold on Francis or Parish, but they aren't terrible, thats for sure. They have gone for a few too many quick fix players in guys like Shiel, Smith, Caldwell and Wright, but they can play a role. Stringer can be anything if you get him on the wrong day. I disagree with Cam on Heppell, he is a legacy player and should have been moved on years ago. The courage to make moves on much loved players is key to a healthy list. Mitchell, Lewis, and Hodge, for example! Melbourne had strong draft hands in 2014 and 2015. They built on that to look the goods in 2018 but fell in a heap in 2019. Premiers by 2021. Essendon had excellent picks in 2015 and 2016, and they have got the first two years of the Dee's pattern in the bag....
O M
Roar Rookie
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but I feel as though Rutten lost the Players right from the beginning when he didn't give Cale Hooker a farewell game. I think most of the Team were quite upset by that. Also, looks like the Tigers will be playing g their 2nd "sacked coach" game in 6 weeks! I don't mind that at all....we need a tough hit our going into the Finals after last week's "circle work"!
Flancrest enterprises
Guest
Socialism doesn't seize the means of production though. Communism does.
Flancrest enterprises
Guest
Mindset is important, to a point. If you are unhappy, leave the club. If you are unwilling to perform for the club to a level expected of you as an AFL footballer, leave the club. But don't ever turn up, on $500k, and put in a half-assed effort to make a statement you are unhappy. These are elite afl footballers. They are the cream of the crop. They are not bad players. They are just Gen Z/millennials who are entitled and spoiled brats.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Looks like you get your wish Clarko heading to bombers :laughing:
Flancrest enterprises
Guest
Grundy has absolutely been on 50% or worse output since the big one was signed. Travis Cloke was strikingly similar as well when he signed his 4 year deal. Bottom line is that you are paid to play to a certain level regardless of who the coach is, and if you aren't doing that - or worse, won't do that - get lost.
Clear as mud
Guest
really Essendon should be chasing Balme. he and Sheeds are still reasonably close.
justif01
Guest
Reid will take time, Cox will be a gun eventually and Perkins will be good but they have too many 182/83 cm midfielders. They need a key position tall with Hooker retiring last year and Hurley coming towards the end. They should pursue either Taranto or Hopper from GWS to add a bit of size to the midfield rotation. With Tipungwuti and Smith retiring another small forward is a must as well although Smith was a bit under sized to play as a mid at times. There's potential there but they need to get it right with the coach this time
Opps74
Roar Rookie
It really is upper hierarchy that has destroyed alot of the Melbourne clubs to progress, Bucks and McGuire (but acknowledge McGuire saved pies in late 90s), John Elliott with the paper bag scandal...set Carlton back 20 years, essendon approving the Hird and Dank mess, North retiring their stars and trading their currency players out...what's to say clarkson won't do a Malthouse, Eade, Worsfold or Thompson in making comebacks but are never the same coaches
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
again, work ethic by players is just as important, but when I say cattle I am also referring to that important mindset. The mindset of a player is just as important when identifying and keeping talent.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
No. He’s too rigid in his coaching style
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Seizing the means of production? That’s exactly socialism
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
that is interesting. I note Grundy's form dropped right off after he got his contract. I also note Cotchins took a pay cut years ago to help keep players at Richmond, if I remember right.