Essendon’s football department has lacked unity and their players have lacked fitness, with the troubled AFL club promising a new-look football program next season.
Bombers president David Barham has revealed more details of the external review that was commissioned nearly two months ago to look at all areas of the club.
In a letter to members on Monday, Barham also said the club would soon appoint an inaugural First Nations board member.
He added the process to replace chief executive Andrew Thorburn, who lasted just 24 hours in the role, was also “well underway”.
Essendon have had a disastrous year on and off the field, dropping out of the top eight.
Coach Ben Rutten was sacked in dramatic circumstances, as the club unsuccessfully courted Alastair Clarkson, with Brad Scott eventually taking over.
Thorburn replaced Xavier Campbell as chief executive, but resigned the next day in the wake of a bungled appointment process.
He left the Bombers because of his role as chairman of a church with divisive views around abortion and homosexuality.
Barham said in his letter the review found a need for “stronger alignment of the core functions” in their football department.
“The areas of coaching, physical performance, player development plus list management and recruitment have lacked unity and a shared vision that is embraced by all,” he said.
Matt Guelfi of the Bombers. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
“Creating a strong and unified football department is a key priority for general manager of football Josh Mahoney and Brad Scott during this off-season.”
Player fitness will also be a focus for Scott in his first pre-season at the club.
“The review also recommended the need to drive higher training standards and to build a better fitness base for our players leading into the season,” Barham said.
“We have accepted this, and … Scott has committed to a demanding pre-season designed at improving the consistency of our training standards across the entire playing group.”
On Monday, Barham added the role of club’s VFL coach would become a full-time position.
Essendon previously had announced they would have two new football roles – general manager of performance and head of development.
Barham said the appointment of a First Nations director to the club board was “long overdue”
“The club is committed to restoring our leadership position in the Indigenous community and nurturing Indigenous talent – both players and staff,” he said.
G money
Roar Rookie
Dodo should have gone 5 years ago
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yes.They should stop going to Aspen Colorado for preseason camps
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
getting fitter and stronger is not hard, but a lot of so-called experts struggle with the task.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
player fitness, yes that is crucial. Hope they have some people there to work it out.
theirishman
Roar Rookie
And, unlike at Essendon, he'll have some quality players with great attitudes to work with.
O M
Roar Rookie
Bombers loss is our gain. He was a great assistant prior to going to Essendon and the Tiger Players love him!
robertbrob13226
Roar Rookie
A lot better list than saints have
Birdman
Roar Rookie
I know a guy....
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
He has made some egregioUs missteps that I fear are going to haunt him for the duration of his presidency
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Methtides… worked for cousins worked for bombers
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I’d take Heppell, Hind and Setterfield out id put cox in at chb and put Reid in at full back. I think fox footy have messed up their best 22
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
What could go wrong?…
Chum
Roar Rookie
Great idea. Maybe an external CEO too – someone with a long history running a big disorganised organisation who endured a few scandals. Someone in banking or finance perhaps. They always say sport is increasingly a business these days. Just need to do their due diligence on their ideal candidate, check any other organisations they might be part of, any previously held views – I mean, Essendon are a big club, I’m sure they wouldn’t make a hash of that.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Lol
Macca
Roar Rookie
True but it also takes time to realise that what you think is pushing yourself and what is actually pushing yourself might be 2 different things.
Winston
Guest
Enough's been said about Essendon's poor management. What is the general view of David Barham though? He is their president, ie head of the board, and it seems like he is doing a heck of a lot more leg work which should be done by the CEO instead. Reading this latest news, it doesn't sound like they're treating CEO appointment as a priority after what happened to Andrew Thorburn. Isn't that a major red flag in itself? Barham himself was a media guy, so it should not upon his shoulders to try and run the place. He is there as the head of the body to set the strategy, but then it really should be the CEO executing it, fronting the media, talking to the head of football/community engagement/ grassroots/academy/indigenous players/female strategy/ operations of food and beverage etc etc. Does this mean Barham is basically doing all of that himself whilst they don't have a CEO?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Essendon need to push the boundaries with their high-performance. Consult with the best strength & condition experts, perhaps trial a supplements program, etc.
jutsie
Roar Rookie
I dont think dodoro is that safe, wait till after the draft and rookie period ends and I think there will be some announcements re dodoro. If rumours are to be believed the whole board room fall out was kicked off by the internal review mahony conducted that was scathing of dodoro. I was worried that with the changes at board level dodoro would survive and mahony would get the flick but it looks like mahony has been given more responsibility post external review and replaced dodoro as the face of the club during trade period.
Dingo
Roar Rookie
It’s not just fitness but attitude. If you are just going through the motions then you won’t succeed.
Macca
Roar Rookie
It is an interesting area, the BLues apparently got one of the best conditioning coahces in the business when they poached Andrew Russell from the Hawks but they still weren't fit enough for years. Perhaps poor teams need to do more running due to turnovers etc and therefore need to be fitter than good sides?