Club Mgmt. Board of Directors as led by President Dave Barham - Statement from Barham addressing Merrett etc - 12/9

[Lore]

Spoiler: Timeline of events

• 15/8: President, Paul Brasher resigns, replaced by Dave Barham who foreshadows external review
  • Votes for Brasher: Peter Allen, Simon Madden, Sean Wellman
    Sean Wellman

    Age

    51

    Ht

    193cm

    Wt

    90kg

    Pos.

    Def

    Career

    Season

    Last 5

    D

    14.1

    4star

    K

    9.7

    4star

    HB

    4.5

    3star

    M

    4.5

    4star

    T

    1.0

    3star

    No current season stats available

    D

    8.0

    2star

    K

    4.4

    2star

    HB

    3.6

    3star

    M

    2.6

    3star

    T

    0.8

    3star

  • Votes for Barham: Andrew Muir, Dorothy Hisgrove, Melissa Green, Kate O’Sullivan, Kevin Sheedy
• 21/8: Senior Coach, Ben Rutten
  Ben Rutten

  Age

  42

  Ht

  190cm

  Wt

  98kg

  Pos.

  Def

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  13.4

  3star

  K

  6.3

  2star

  HB

  7.0

  4star

  M

  5.3

  5star

  T

  1.3

  3star

  No current season stats available

  D

  10.6

  3star

  K

  6.2

  3star

  HB

  4.4

  4star

  M

  3.6

  4star

  T

  1.0

  3star

  sacked
• 24/8: CEO, Xavier Campbell resigns
• 24/8: Directors to resign
  • Paul Brasher, immediately
  • Simon Madden, immediately
  • Sean Wellman, after new football director is appointed
  • Peter Allen, after AGM & finance portfolio handover in December
• 26/8: Details of coaching selection committee appointment
  • Sub-committee of 6: Josh Mahoney
    Josh Mahoney

    Age

    48

    Ht

    180cm

    Wt

    83kg

    Pos.

    Fwd

    Career

    Season

    Last 5

    D

    11.3

    3star

    K

    6.8

    3star

    HB

    4.5

    3star

    M

    3.5

    4star

    T

    1.6

    4star

    G

    0.9

    4star

    No current season stats available

    D

    9.2

    3star

    K

    5.4

    2star

    HB

    3.8

    3star

    M

    2.2

    3star

    T

    1.6

    4star

    G

    0.4

    3star

    (Chair, GM-Footy), Robert Walls, Jordan Lewis
    Jordan Lewis

    Age

    39

    Ht

    186cm

    Wt

    86kg

    Pos.

    D/M

    Career

    Season

    Last 5

    D

    23.5

    5star

    K

    12.1

    4star

    HB

    11.5

    5star

    M

    5.5

    5star

    T

    2.7

    4star

    MG

    310.5

    4star

    No current season stats available

    D

    15.0

    4star

    K

    6.8

    3star

    HB

    8.2

    5star

    M

    4.8

    5star

    T

    2.8

    5star

    , Simone McKinnis OAM, Andrew Thorburn and Dorothy Hisgrove (board member).
• 26/8: Details of external review process
  • Ernst & Young to coordinate with support from Andrew Thorburn, working closely with Nick Ryan (Acting CEO) & Dorothy Hisgrove (board member)
  • Focusing on four areas: (1) Board effectiveness & composition, (2) a review of leadership, operations and culture including the footy department, (3) the senior coach appointment and (4) the new CEO appointment.
• 26/9: Andrew Welsh appointed to the board of directors, replacing Simon Madden
• 29/9: Brad Scott appointed as Senior Coach
• 30/9: Kevin Sheedy claims decision to appoint Brad Scott was 6-1 against him
• 3/10: Andrew Thorburn appointed as CEO - alternative link
• 3/10: “External review to be handed to the board next week”: Andrew Thorburn, Crichton Medal Address
• 4/10: Andrew Thorburn resigns as CEO
• 11/10: External review preliminary findings
• 24/10: External review preliminary findings II
• 2/11: Dan McPherson appointed as General Manager of Performance & Cam Roberts as Head of Development
• 11/11: Dean Rioli appointed to the board of directors, replacing Paul Brasher
• 14/11: Tim Roberts & David Wills appointed to the board of directors, replacing Sean Wellman and Paul Allen respectively
• 28/11: Dorothy Hisgrove announced as first female vice-president (at the Essendon Women's Best and Fairest night)
• 1/12: Craig Vozzo appointed as CEO
• 13/12: Board director election results: Andrew Welsh and Andrew Muir elected
• 15/5: The club's First Nations Advisory Council established, to be led by Dean Rioli (chair, Indigenous board member), and including: Leanne Brooke (EFC EGM – Community & The Long Walk. Essendon FC), Dorothy Hisgrove (EFC VP and National Manager Partner KPMG), Kane Ellis (CEO of Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service), John Evans (Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement at Swinburne) and Che Cockatoo-Collins (EM, Indigenous Affairs NBN, EFC Past Player)
• 16/5: Board of Directors declare support for the First Nations Voice to Parliament, after consultation with the new First Nations Advisory Council
• 28/8: EGM - Football, Josh Mahoney has accepted a role as GM Football Operations at the AFL
• 10/10: GM - Performance Daniel McPherson, and Head of AFLW/AFL Operations Manager Aysha Ward have been elevated to the club executive as joint leaders of the club's football department, as GM-AFL and GM-AFLW respectively

 

[HirdsTheWord]

I think Wilson did make a good point (broken clock and such) where she said that I is quite likely that part of Barhams pitch will be the promise that the problem people in the board, administration and the footy department will be gone if he comes.

I dont know how on earth that fits into an external review, but yeah - Clarkson ain't coming without assurances as to key pillars in the organisation being people he can work with.

Agreed. if we aren't giving clarkson the keys than there's ****in zero point in even going after him.

We need someone with the influence on the club not just the playing group.

 

[Fear Boner]

Is there any indication when the president will be delivering the Rutten update today ?

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Is there any indication when the president will be delivering the Rutten update today ?

they wont (and cant) do anything until Clarkson makes a decision either way i reckon.

such a shit situation they have made for us all.

 

[Phone]

I've never thought it a good idea for someone with the coaching resume of Kevin Sheedy to return to Essendon in any capacity. Often their influence is far greater than what it should be for which their ego prevents them from staying within the parameters of their new role.

I liken it to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, retired as Manager to take on a different role within the club.
Wields massive influence on Manchester United to this day in areas that aren't within his role description which has destabilised the operational hierarchy of the club.

I don't think many people here actually thought Sheedy returning to the board was a good thing and Wilson was right to call it out as a dumb quick fix to make ourselves look good.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Why would Clarkson genuinely choose Essendon given what has transpired this week? Can he really be bothered fighting pretty much every part of the football club all the time? The club has a bunch of egotistical and selfish people at almost all levels, from the entitled fans all the way to the top.

It’s far less stressful to coach at North. No coterie people putting pressure, no past players and ex-coaches looking to take you out without any warning, no supporters calling for you to be sacked every time you have a bad loss because he isn’t Essendon, no media circus every week because they lay the blame for the 18 year finals drought on a senior coach that has been there for 1 year, constant overrating the list and delusional expectations by both fans and the media etc.

I believe missing out in Clarkson will lead to real change.

Clarkson loves fighting. Loves it. He’s a psycho.

 

[Happyskeret]

In regards to Clarkson I have no doubt that the North job would be the safer option. It’s a no brainer really but if he really aspires to coaching one of the big four the baggage that comes with such an undertaking would be part and parcel of a such club. I believe he would be aware of this.
He was critical of us about the saga at the time around us employing an inexperienced coach. If Hird was ever to have a position at the club again I would prefer it to be under the tutelage of a person like him.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I don't think many people here actually thought Sheedy returning to the board was a good thing and Wilson was right to call it out as a dumb quick fix to make ourselves look good.

Footy boards are super, super hard to get right. They either elect themselves or are elected by members. Of those members, 80% don’t bother voting and the other 20% just vote for an ex player. Footy fans are nuffies.

Almost all clubs that have a good board have it due to luck.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

As much as I'm maybe the only person on here who wouldn't mind Hird coaching again - he doesn't want to be a senior coach again. Can see him being an assistant for us but there's no way he would want to deal with the media when being a senior coach.

The most charitable thing I can say about Hird having a coaching role in any capacity at Essendon is that it would be utterly insane

 

[Chambo]

We will know Clarko's decision by whoever announces a press conference first...I was a lot more confident Clarko was coming to us earlier in the week, but I still think it is 60/40 us.

Sonja Hood played a straight bat, what else was she to say?

Norf have an interim coach who isn't going for the top job, so you'd think that would give the green light to announce if Clarko was going to the tin rattlers.

 

[ghostdog]

Agree with this.

Clarko is a smart man who appreciates the theatre of the game. It has been well documented the lure of a Big 4 Melbourne club appeals to him. An Essendon side who have returned to their former glory would be the biggest club in the competition bar none. If he were the man to do it, he'd go down in the history books. He does it at Norf? Meh. Same with St Kilda. It just wouldn't be as important.

We've acted pretty unprofessionally this past week. It's been messy, compared to Norf who have handled it well. But you know what? A couple sackings, a couple appointments and a pre-season and nobody will remember nor care about that unfolded this week.

I like to invest and I often look for struggling businesses with the scope to turn it around. My thoughts are always What can it be? and not What is it? Some just can't, won't or don't have the potential. I think Essendon can be great once again.

Forget this week in isolation and look at the big picture over the next 10 years and what is possible to be achieved. I don't think Clarko is that shortsighted where he's hung up on the last week, rather than what is possible in the future. I'm sure he has the vision for both clubs.

I admire your optimism, but you're wrong in part. If we don't land Clarkson and we continue to embarrass ourselves around the way we've treated Ben Rutten, it will not be forgotten. In fact, when we do finally win a flag, it will be one of a number of chapters that will be regretable but fascinating reading. It definitely won't be forgotten.

 

[P Money]

I will be shocked if Clarko doesn't sign with North. Has been in discussions with them for over a month, discussions have gotten to the point where North have actually presented him with a contract offer. You don't go putting contract offers to someone unless there's a very strong indication that they are interested in accepting it. Further to that, he's said that he'll make his decision within days. Unless someone representing Essendon has actually been in contact with Clarko for quite some time (which has been floated but seems to be just rumour at this point with no official confirmation) then the idea that he'll drop everything with North and change his mind to sign with us within 4 days of us asking is pure fantasyland.

Re Hird: this is pure clickbait. The only mentions I've seen of Hird is 'oh maybe there are people on the board who want Hird. That would be unlikely though'. Translation - 'let's put Hirdy's name out there which will immediately prick up everyone's ears and generate a sh*tload of outrage clicks'.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

I admire your optimism, but you're wrong in part. If we don't land Clarkson and we continue to embarrass ourselves around the way we've treated Ben Rutten, it will not be forgotten. In fact, when we do finally win a flag, it will be one of a number of chapters that will be regretable but fascinating reading. It definitely won't be forgotten.

The Ben Rutten dilemma will be solved shortly. He'll be officially sacked and that will be the end of it.

Success will paper over the failures. It's unfortunate but people will move on quickly.

 

[Bombermania]

Who is Katie Lio?

Katie was also on the board, and her name is Catherine but on the Blitz she is referred to as Katie.

 

[Lads2023]

It was surprising to hear from the media that Rutten didn't have support of all the players/culture hasn't been good.

A lot of them seem like they are good mates/get along with each other? Then again you never really know what goes on behind closed doors.

 

[DapperDon]

Reading both our and North boards and seeing how different both supporter groups takes are on the latest 'information' and how it is positive for both clubs is an amazing social experiment.

 

[faible]

Not really feeling your pain after you’ve pantsed us by 80odd 3 days ago

Who has taken you to 3 prelims in 10 years.

Not really the same, is it.

Nah, I get their pain.

They've wanted Hinkley gone for years, but them thrashing us has given him another year at the helm. Which is exactly what keeps happening to them.

 

[Ati Tude]

Katie was also on the board, and her name is Catherine but on the Blitz she is referred to as Katie.

Speaking of the Blitz, how have they been handling the week? Calm and decorum I assume...

 

[Lads2023]

Reading both our and North boards and seeing how different both supporter groups takes are on the latest 'information' and how it is positive for both clubs is an amazing social experiment.

Yes no bias at all on Noth's board

'We have the better young list! We are a big club at Norf!'

 

[Dave]

08, 13, 14, 15.

Yeah, I meant more from the pov that we'd be stuck on 16 to preserve Sheedy's record.

 

[DapperDon]

Yes no bias at all on Noth's board

'We have the better young list! We are a big club at Norf!'

Don't think we're in a position to gloat about being a big club.

 

[Del28562]

I will be shocked if Clarko doesn't sign with North. Has been in discussions with them for over a month, discussions have gotten to the point where North have actually presented him with a contract offer. You don't go putting contract offers to someone unless there's a very strong indication that they are interested in accepting it. Further to that, he's said that he'll make his decision within days. Unless someone representing Essendon has actually been in contact with Clarko for quite some time (which has been floated but seems to be just rumour at this point with no official confirmation) then the idea that he'll drop everything with North and change his mind to sign with us within 4 days of us asking is pure fantasyland.

Re Hird: this is pure clickbait. The only mentions I've seen of Hird is 'oh maybe there are people on the board who want Hird. That would be unlikely though'. Translation - 'let's put Hirdy's name out there which will immediately prick up everyone's ears and generate a sh*tload of outrage clicks'.

Exactly how can clarko make a call inside a week without any due diligence at Essendon, it's not on his radar, the media smell blood and after Rutten.

I'd think that why Sheedy crossed the floor there's being discussions for a fair period to get McVeigh, Hird and soloman ticket back to Essendon, completely outcoached Essendon a couple of weeks ago, that was their interview for the job and they passed with flying colours.

Going after clarko is a smokescreen for what they are trying to achieve in bringing back those 3. Clarko will go to north, yze goes to gws then the bombers will say we went through a process and got the best candidate in McVeigh with hirddy and soloman as senior assistants, it's very similar to when hirdy took over from knights really, except hirdy is the bomber and soloman is the McCartney

 

[Dave]

My ten week old son’s nappies stink less than our performance of recent times.

That's not really saying much though is it

 

[Runk]

Footy boards are super, super hard to get right. They either elect themselves or are elected by members. Of those members, 80% don’t bother voting and the other 20% just vote for an ex player. Footy fans are nuffies.

Almost all clubs that have a good board have it due to luck.

Yep - see Sean Wellman - nuffies got him in

 

[Happyskeret]

On the topic of insanity I was running laps with a guy(who played in the 1980 Richmond premiership team)who was playing for us run laps and the other players were unintentionally pushing him towards the boundary line. It was like he was battling against a strong current to stay outside the lines.
It spiked my interest enough to ask him why? He said his first training session at Richmond he ran inside the lines only to be KO’d! When he gained composure he seen a livid Kevin Sheedy with a cocked fist and he said you never run outside the lines son. He told me that he never had run outside the lines since that moment .
I then asked him what was Sheeds like? He said without any hesitation FRUIT CAKE ABSOLUTE FRUIT CAKE

 

[Dave]

Old people suck at complex tasks. Why do you think the US is at it's lowest ebb? The average age of Congress is 74 or something. It's full of mush brained boomers.

I thought it was due to half their population being batshit crazy.