AFL News: Sheedy reveals he wanted Hird over Scott for Bombers coach, De Goey makes his choice

New Essendon coach Brad Scott has admitted turning around the struggling’s club’s fortunes on-field will be a ‘big challenge’, but says he is delighted to be back in the hot seat.

Scott departed North Melbourne in tumultuous circumstances in mid-2019 after nearly a decade at the club, before joining the AFL as the league’s head of football operations.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Scott said while his time at league headquarters had been fulfilling, coaching is his true calling.

“It was a really difficult decision for me because I made a conscious decision when I went to the AFL that I was going to fully invest in an administration career,” he said.

“By definition, at a club, you‘re very narrow in your view and you’re very focused on what you need to do, so the three years at the AFL taught me a lot.

“Ultimately, I love coaching players, I love improving people.

“Talent was part of my portfolio at the AFL and every time I went out and looked at the talent pathway, I couldn‘t get away from the fact that that’s really what I love doing. I love developing boys as they’re on the talent pathway through their adult life and that was the most satisfying thing about coaching previously.

“Ultimately, when it came down to the decision, that‘s what I love doing.”

However, not everyone at the club is thrilled with the appointment, with board member and former coaching icon Kevin Sheedy publicly voicing his disapproval.

Sheedy led calls to reappoint Bombers legend James Hird, who was at the helm from 2011-13 and 2015 during the club’s infamous supplements saga, and took issue with president David Barham’s claim that Scott’s signing was unanimous.

“I am extremely disappointed that the comment from my club was that it was fully endorsed, when in fact I voted for James Hird to be the coach of Essendon,’’ Sheedy told the Herald Sun.

“The vote was 6-1.

‘’Now, I would’ve expected that to have been written, and that in the end the board actually won that vote.

“But I want to make sure all the fans know that I voted for James Hird and I’m extremely disappointed with the report that went out from the Essendon media department.

“I’m not happy.

Don’t tell the Essendon fan base an untruth.

“This is what happens when you bring new people into the club.

“I actually felt insulted that Hird would think I voted against him after what he’s done for our club.’’

The Bombers have famously not won a final since 2004, but while Scott is aware the powerhouse is ‘not entitled to anything’, there is only one way forward.

“I‘ve admired the Essendon Football Club from afar for a very long time,” Scott said.

“But the longer you spend in football, the more you realise that you’re not entitled to anything, regardless of which club you’re at and what opportunities you have.

“It all comes back to the same thing: hard work, discipline, being united and being really clear on the direction and the role that everyone needs to play.

“That‘s going to be a big challenge here. But if you’re united and you’re not going in the same direction, I don’t care what players you’ve got, what facilities you’ve got, none of that matters.”

“My role is to drive the football program. Everyone wants the same thing, members and supporters, they want to see the team perform. I want to create a program to enable that.”

Barham described the appointment as ‘one of the most exciting days in this football club’s history’.

“We get to start with a new coach, start another chapter in what is a long and storeyed history of the football club. We’re looking forward positively and with great enthusiasm about the next years ahead.”

Scott has signed an initial four-year contract at the Bombers.

Newly appointed Essendon coach Brad Scott. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Power wingman flies to Hawks

The first move of the AFL free agency period has seen Port Adelaide wingman Karl Amon head to Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent.

The 27-year old had informed the Power of his intent to become a Hawk in 2023 at the end of the home-and-away season, with paperwork lodged at AFL House within hours of the signing period opening on Friday morning.

Amon joins the Hawks on a four-year deal, having enjoyed a career-best last two seasons at the Power as an outside runner.

He polled 15 Brownlow Medal votes to finish 12th in the 2022 count, the highest tally of any Port player.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Karl to Hawthorn,” Hawks list manager Mark McKenzie said in a statement.

“It’s pleasing to hear Karl indicate his decision to commit to the club was based around the positive direction of the organisation and the exciting brand of football being developed.

“He is an incredibly gifted athlete and can be damaging by foot.

“With more than 100 games under his belt, we believe his skillset and experience will complement our young and developing list.”

The Power have received a second-round draft pick as compensation for losing Amon, which currently sits at pick 27.

De Goey de staying at de Pies

Jordan De Goey has ended months of speculation about his future at Collingwood by finally signing a five-year deal to remain at the Magpies.

A restricted free agent, De Goey had attracted heavy interest from rivals St Kilda and Essendon, but despite a last-minute stand-off between club and player over behavioral clauses in his contract, will remain at the Westpac Centre until the end of 2027.

The contract is reportedly worth up to $800,000 per year. It is believed the clauses remain in place for the first two years of the new deal.

The Pies had initially revoked their offer of a four-year deal mid-season following De Goey’s controversial trip to Bali, but an outstanding finals campaign saw them place it back on the table, then up the ante to five years amid further interest in poaching the 26-year old.

“We’re delighted Jordan has agreed to extend his contract to stay at Collingwood,” Magpies football general manager Graham Wright said.
 
“Jordan is a talented footballer and his commitment to improve his game has seen him perform strongly this year, particularly during the back-end of the season and during the finals series where he was exciting to watch.

“We feel Jordan’s best football is in front of him and, as a Club, we will continue to support him as he grows as a player and as a person.”

De Goey has played 137 games for Collingwood since making his debut in 2015. 19 of those came in 2022, with his 18 goals including two exceptional majors in the Pies’ narrow qualifying final loss to eventual premiers Geelong.

The talented forward-midfielder has been plagued by inconsistency and off-field issues for much of his career, including charges of indecent assault in 2020 stemming from an alleged incident in 2015. The charges were later dropped.

‘Horrified’ Kennett breaks silence on Hawks scandal

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has spoken publicly for the first time since allegations of systemic racism were levelled at the Hawks last week.

In a letter to members, Kennett, who was overseas when the contents of a Hawks report on the club’s treatment of First Nations players were made public by the ABC, defended the club’s decision to conduct the report, which has received criticism for failing to speak to former coach and assistant Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, against whom some of the most serious accusations have been aimed.

“When the club received the final report, it would be an understatement to say we were horrified at the stories that three of our past players and their partners had recorded,” Kennett wrote.

“If the allegations were true, these individuals, and their families, have been subjected to some horrific and unacceptable behaviours.

“The review was never meant to be forensic. We wanted to hear from our past and present First Nations players about their experiences at Hawthorn and their current wellbeing.”

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“The Board met to consider the final review and, because of the severity of the contents, decided to inform senior officials at the AFL about the stories that were contained within the review.

“The Board further decided that the review had to be given to the AFL’s Integrity Unit, as is required under the club’s AFL license, and because it was a key recommendation of the review. We also believed that we as a club did not have the personnel or the skillset to take the matter further.

“After submitting the review to the AFL, we were then informed that certain members of the families of those who told their story had also been interviewed by an ABC journalist.

“Their story was then published by the ABC shortly after that.

“The stories themselves are so heartbreaking to read.”

(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Kennett also called for all parties affected to cooperate with a looming AFL investigation into the contents of the report, with The Age revealing players at the centre of the allegations are unwilling to speak to a league-commissioned inquiry.

“A solution must be found quickly, and all parties should be prepared to work towards a solution, because not to do so will impact heavily on all involved,” he wrote.

“Those hurt by alleged past actions should have their right to natural justice served, and the club can continue to learn and grow in this important space.

“As a club, we do not apologise for asking our past and present First Nations players and staff about their past and present experiences. It is good practice to do so and will assist in our endeavours to provide a safe and nourishing environment for every member of our community.

“Hopefully all parties will see fit to work with the AFL inquiry to bring this matter to a conclusion. We at the club do not intend to provide a running commentary on this matter and will allow the AFL inquiry to do its work.

“That said, we will assist in any way we can.”