Club Mgmt. Board of Directors as led by President Andrew Wealshy - Ted Richards joins the board

[Lore]

https://www.threads.com/@essendonfc/post/DPDOxzfkT4R

 

[jmoo wan]

https://www.threads.com/@essendonfc/post/DPDOxzfkT4R

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doesn’t fill me with confidence that our prez that all the ex-players are getting behind needs a name badge!

 

[Lore]

doesn’t fill me with confidence that our prez that all the ex-players are getting behind needs a name badge!

Welsh seems to be the only bloke that came prepared with a typed badge too. Even Solly had to write his own name

 

[ydc55]

My parent were having dinner at the club as it’s pensioner night.
My father described the atmosphere as jubilant and very positive.
He got a sense they feel the president is an essendon man who will bring everyone together.

 

[Yoda_]

My parent were having dinner at the club as it’s pensioner night.
My father described the atmosphere as jubilant and very positive.
He got a sense they feel the president is an essendon man who will bring everyone together.

Clubs will have factions and coteries. If the man at the top can get them all to buy in then he has done the job already imho

 

[Phone]

My parent were having dinner at the club as it’s pensioner night.
My father described the atmosphere as jubilant and very positive.
He got a sense they feel the president is an essendon man who will bring everyone together.

oh no

 

[DERO]

Considering Lloyd has been the most vocal critic of the football club over the last few years, hearing him talk positively gives me increased confidence that being more united behind the scenes is achievable

He is a massive part of the problem.

 

[EnolaGay]

He is a massive part of the problem.

Loved him as a player, not so much as a Captain, and not at all as a media person

 

[DERO]

Loved him as a player, not so much as a Captain, and not at all as a media person

Yeah, I don’t mind him in the media but it is a bit weird that he is part of the push for unity despite openly suggesting that Zach consider his options elsewhere (well before the story broke) which would clearly have been at odds with what is best for the club.

Some might say that he needs to pick a side but it is pretty clear he has picked his side a long time ago. I’m happy to remember him as a talented but selfish footballer and poor leader who should not be involved with our football club in any capacity despite his technical ability.

 

[Doss]

Lloyd has been clutching his pearls about Merrett leaving because of our shitness for years. He’s absolutely played his part in keeping the flames of that conversation flickering.

Loved him as a player. Have no time for him as a media pundit.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

https://www.threads.com/@essendonfc/post/DPDOxzfkT4R

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What a clubman Hurls was. He, Hepp and Hooker could’ve walked at our lowest ebb..and justifiably but they stuck thick. Courageous leadership.

 

[Westlo]

C’mon man, that’s a copout. Previous two years? We’ve seen Fly McCrae pick up the Pies from 2nd last to a premiership in one year with a change of on field direction.

They were 3rd, 4th and 8th the three seasons before finishing second last, lmao at trying to compare that side (which was still mostly intact when they won the flag ) to what Brad had to deal with at Essendon.

They were a side that was a bees dick away from a flag and needed a new voice, otoh we were a shit side on a treadmill in no man’s land.

 

[Zach Package]

yeah but regardless of that, Solomon sending around an email saying ""get behind him!" is still, ultimately, pretty embarrassing. i don't know how anyone can feel pride about Solomon doing that....except for other ex-players.

I think this is an example of when leaning into the skid is the right thing to do.

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

A lot of hate for Lloyd in this thread but I like him in the media. He tells it like it is and often cuts through the BS when it comes to Essendon.

 

[thepokey]

Considering Lloyd has been the most vocal critic of the football club over the last few years, hearing him talk positively gives me increased confidence that being more united behind the scenes is achievable

Is he speaking more positively because there's something positive to speak about, or is it because its one of his boys there now?

 

[Zach Package]

Is he speaking more positively because there's something positive to speak about, or is it because its one of his boys there now?

Maybe not sitting next to Caro has loosened the choke chain?

 

[Darealrath]

A lot of hate for Lloyd in this thread but I like him in the media. He tells it like it is and often cuts through the BS when it comes to Essendon.

I don't personally rate him as too insightful BUT I also think whether or not he criticises the players or the coach etc will make absolutely no difference to our on field fortunes.

We don't need every past player singing from the same hymn sheet. Agitating behind the scenes for board spills etc is a different story.

 

[MiguelM]

I don't mind Lloyd in the media.

Truth hurts sometimes.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

doesn’t fill me with confidence that our prez that all the ex-players are getting behind needs a name badge!

it says "Bad Mutha****a"

 

[faible]

Actually, I'd say the opposite. If you have younger players from the VFL program stepping up and following a similar game plan it means it is two ticks for the coach. The plan works, and he's capable of teaching it across the club. This would mean that there is buy-in so players have had a part in tweaking it.

The head coach doesn't do a lot of teaching of game plan these days. That's not really their role, that's what the line coaches are for.

They have built from the bottom of the ladder with little trade capital and mid-strength draft capital. Their trade targets have been Impey, Amos, Massimo, Chol, Barrass, Ginivan and Battle. Hardly world beaters

Battle and Barrass are both excellent intercept defenders, I think it's underselling them to say they weren't quality trade targets, they were both in demand and had good contract offers.

What their list management team has done very well is identify players that fit into the style of football they want to play, a guy like Chol has looked very average at times but with the style of football Hawthorn play he fits into what they're doing well. Same with guys like Ginnivan and D'Ambrosio, they fit the style of football they're trying to play and haven't cost a heap of trade capital. Meanwhile we've spent years trying to extricate Dodoro from the club.

Go back and check posting by most non-Hawthorn fans on big footy, I was not on my own!

I think they've turned it around quicker than people expected, and credit to them for that. But it's also different coming into a list refresh / rebuild with high quality senior players, a stable football department, and recent Premiership experience.

Their list hasn't had a lot added to it since. What they have got is a consistent run with fitness and players having roles that they fit into and a game plan that everyone seems to understand. They also lift their aggression for the ball/player in finals. As much as Mitchell grinds my gears, you have to acknowledge how much of that is down to him.

I think the list management element gets glossed over a bit in all this. It's not the 1990s where the head coach does all the things anymore. List management would be getting out there finding out who's available and doing all the research and scouting on draftees.

At EFC we're still far too stuck in the days of the head coach doing everything where we think if we just change the coach (again) it'll fix all that ails us. Instead what we really need is to build a professional modern sporting organisation. Scott doesn't need to be the best coach available right now, because our football club simply hasn't been in any position to need it.

We need to get the fundamentals right, appointing Vozzo and Rosa could well be the two most important personnel changes this club has made in the past 20 years. Chances are without Scott, and without Barham, those things don't happen.

 

[Happyskeret]

One things for sure. Welshy certainly has a slick hairstyle. He looks like a racing tadpole!

 

[nipst@r]

A lot of hate for Lloyd in this thread but I like him in the media. He tells it like it is and often cuts through the BS when it comes to Essendon.

I think the bs meeting with merret was more to shitcan the club and current coach.

 

[brutus76]

Welshy we need compo picks please.

Atta boy go hard son

 

[windyhill]

Welsh = kingmaker.
We can all see what is happening here yes ?

 

[Lore]

Transcript of Welsh's Crichton address:

I think Eddie Maguire once said, A week is a long time in footy. Well, I can tell you this week's felt like a lifetime ago. But I've been blown away by the support I've received from our members, and I was connected to the club since taking on this role.

What has become crystal clear to me through this period, though, is that I'm getting more and more energised by the day. I'm nine days in, but each day I've woken up, more driven, with more energy to push forward, because I can see the opportunity for greatness ahead of us. And that bloody motivates me, and I know it will motivate everyone in this room.

So I'm excited to be leading this club, and look forward to attacking this position with everything I've got, and to represent our members with passion and drive, to bring this club together in achieving what we're here, all here for.

So, tonight, I want to start and take a moment to acknowledge the efforts of the former president, Dave Barham. Dave, I want to thank you as a friend, but more importantly, what you have given this club as president for the last three years, but as a director since 2016. You've always acted in the best interests of the club. You put Essendon first, and you've been selfless in your role. You brought me onto the board, and since that point, I've witnessed firsthand your drive to make the hard decisions required to set this club up for success, and provide strong foundations to build on, which is what you've done.

I want to thank you, your wife, Tash, your two daughters, Mia, and Sophie, and I look forward to seeing you in the black, yeah, back at the footy, next year, where you don't have to wear a suit and tie, which I know will make you happy and Barry behind us with your full passion. Can I have a round of applause for Dave and the family, please?

And I'd also like to see my family, my wife, Kendall, who's here, my three kids, their support since joining the board's been fantastic, and they're very excited to support me on this next journey. So thank you for that support and looking forward to doing this as a family.

As we reflect on our 2025 season, I want to begin with our players from each of our football and wheelchair teams. Thank you for wearing the sash with pride. Whether you're a veteran who guided our young players or a debutante who took your first steps in the red and black, each of you contributed to our story this year.

To Brad Scott and his coaching staff. Thank you for your tireless effort throughout the year. It was undoubtedly a unique year with the challenges we faced. But I reflect on it as a year of growth. I'm genuinely excited about what we've been able to unearth this year and watching the development of everyone who represented our club. While the scoreboard didn't always reflect our efforts, there's no such thing as a wasted season. The character built, the bonds strengthened, and the foundations laid in 2025 will define this football club for years to come. This was a year of growth and growth is never easy, but it's always worth it.

Whilst injuries obviously hurt us this year, we're really proud to announce the appointment of Matthew Innes as our new head of high performance and medical. Matt has already made a strong impact on our players as he begun building relationships and embedding his philosophies. So we're excited about what he'll bring to a club in a very important area for us.

To our award winners who will be up on stage throughout the night, congratulations. You should be proud of your achievements and the recognition from your coaches, teammates, is well deserved.

I'd also like to acknowledge and thank the departing AFL players, you put your bodies on the line for the club, and you'll always be estimate people. Thank you for everything you've done for us.

I would like to actually make a special acknowledgement to Jaden Laverde. His outstanding service to the club and for his life membership tonight. Well done, Jayden.

I'd also like to acknowledge our AFLW team and their coach, Natalie Wood. We got a big game tomorrow against the D's to keep us in contention for the eight. And I look forward to celebrating the season with our players at their best and fairest in December.

To all the staff who represent the club with passion and dedication, led by our CEO, Craig Vozzo, thank you for your efforts this year. I'm looking forward to working closely with your incoming years and excited about what we can achieve together.

Well, fellow directors, it's not an easy job being on the board of an AFL club, and it's not an easy job being on the board of the Essendon Football Club. But seeing firsthand the time and effort you put in to guide our club forward is one you should all be commended for and proud of. At the end of the day, you're all volunteers and do this role to give our club the best chance of sustaining success. So I thank you all for your efforts and the support and guidance you've provided me.

To the Essendon faithful, thank you. We've had over 86,000 members commit to the club this year. I want to thank you for being part of our club and sticking fat when your support is needed the most. This is not lost on anyone in the room, and I love your passion and care you have for the football club.

The final group, I want to particularly highlight tonight, are our club volunteers. When I was playing our volunteers and support staff, we were our heroes. They sacrificed, they made for us, to continue, to give us that very quality that we see today. It's quite incredible what they do for us as players, and what they do for the club, to give us the very best chance of success. We all look to them as an example of how we should be going about our business and respect and acknowledge the effort they put in all the time. These people put in time for the club for little or no financial reward. And we're privileged to have them as a really important part of our fabric.

And I'll finish here.

I want to just finish with a couple of points.

Firstly, I want to be clear about something that will define my presidency, and one of those is connection. Our volunteers embody this brilliantly, but we're doing, but what we're doing to drive connection in the club is in all areas, with our members, and critically, internally, as well. I'm talking about player to player, player to staff, across the whole club. Driving connection and creating a genuine sense of belonging for everyone associated with the bombers. That will be the hallmark of my presidency. It's not just all about words. This needs to be followed up by actions, and wants you to all know that those focus areas and actions have already begun.

So, to finish... I'm all about one Essendon, one club. My message applies to everyone in this room, from our players, coaches, staff, and volunteers, to our members and supporters. This is our time to galvanise. Our foundations are set, and it's time to unite. We win together, we lose together. But we stick together, and we stick together, we're a formidable club. All in, all heart. This is our time. This is our moment, and we're about to embark on our greatest area yet.

So let's get running.

Go Dons.