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

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Wait for it.... they DID do an external review!!

Essendon failed to formally present findings from NFL powerbroker Michael Lombardi
Essendon paid NFL powerbroker Michael Lombardi to review its footy department in 2019. And the Bombers have privately conceded they made a mistake.

Sam Landsberger
October 7, 2022 - 4:58PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Essendon paid NFL powerbroker Michael Lombardi to assess its football department in 2019 — but failed to ever formally present his findings to the club’s board.

As the Bombers await the findings from their second formal review this season, it can be revealed Lombardi spoke to all key figures in the football department during his week-long visit to Tullamarine late in the 2019 season.

The 63-year-old attended match committee, opposition analysis, team meetings and reviews.

Lombardi sent a document filled with his observations to former chief executive Xavier Campbell, who drove the decision to engage Lombardi.

But some board members never received Lombardi’s observations while others claimed they were only given a summary.

It’s understood the Bombers covered the cost of Lombardi’s flights and paid him a small fee in exchange for his work. Lombardi also attended a luncheon with club sponsors.

The Bombers have privately conceded their old administration made a mistake by never formally canvassing the document.

It’s understood Lindsay Tanner, who was chairman at the time, did not meet Lombardi.

Tanner declined to comment on Friday.

Multiple staff members insisted that Lombardi was hands-on. They were told he would be reviewing the football program, but said they never saw any outcomes come from it.

It’s understood Lombardi spoke to staff at Essendon’s Reynolds Room and Coleman Room meeting rooms and also held less formal chats in the club’s cafe.

Lombardi has been an executive for San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders and also worked under legendary coach Bill Belichick.

The Herald Sun put questions to Lombardi recently regarding his work for Essendon.

Lombardi, who lives in the US, asked for more information and arranged a time to speak.

However Lombardi suddenly changed his mind, saying: “My relationship with Essendon is confidential”.

The Bombers are adamant the Lombardi report is irrelevant now, given the club has undergone multiple leadership transformations since.

When Lombardi visited they had John Worsfold as coach, Ben Rutten as his assistant, Dan Richardson as football manager, Campbell as chief executive and Tanner as president.

They have all departed.

The Bombers have commissioned another three formal reviews since receiving Lombardi’s observations.

Former chairman Paul Brasher commissioned an internal review after the dismal 2020 season, which uncovered a more “ruthless” coaching mantra suited the players, and then another internal review after the 2-9 start to this season.

When new president David Barham ousted Brasher in August he demanded an external review because he was not happy with this year‘s internal review, which — like the 2020 version — was led by football directors Simon Madden and Sean Wellman.

Former player Andrew Welsh replaced Madden on the board last month.

Barham’s external review, which is being led by Ernst & Young and one-day chief executive Andrew Thorburn, is being finalised now.

Unlike Lombardi, the EY review will form a set of recommendations for the entire club — starting with the board and executive. The review will cover Essendon’s culture and processes and will also assess all of the administration and football department.

Thorburn said he hoped the EY review would lead to “great change”.

 
The Donners said:
Damage to the brand is as high as during ASAGA in my opinion. It would be remiss of Essendon not to leak they’re unhappy about the 3rd party that was hired to vet their CEO.
Click to expand...
There is a small silver lining, and that is that Essendon actually has values and was realigned with them relatively quickly. It also appears to stand with the majority of people, at least if you take the SSM plebiscite as an indicator. I don't think the saga had silver linings tbh.

The governance part of it looks bad, but if you're enough of a hardcore fan to care about governance, you're probably also seeing at least some good things over the last 6 weeks (though everyone would point to something different).
 

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Bunk Moreland said:
Wait for it.... they DID do an external review!!

Essendon failed to formally present findings from NFL powerbroker Michael Lombardi
Essendon paid NFL powerbroker Michael Lombardi to review its footy department in 2019. And the Bombers have privately conceded they made a mistake.

Sam Landsberger
October 7, 2022 - 4:58PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Essendon paid NFL powerbroker Michael Lombardi to assess its football department in 2019 — but failed to ever formally present his findings to the club’s board.

As the Bombers await the findings from their second formal review this season, it can be revealed Lombardi spoke to all key figures in the football department during his week-long visit to Tullamarine late in the 2019 season.

The 63-year-old attended match committee, opposition analysis, team meetings and reviews.

Lombardi sent a document filled with his observations to former chief executive Xavier Campbell, who drove the decision to engage Lombardi.

But some board members never received Lombardi’s observations while others claimed they were only given a summary.

It’s understood the Bombers covered the cost of Lombardi’s flights and paid him a small fee in exchange for his work. Lombardi also attended a luncheon with club sponsors.

The Bombers have privately conceded their old administration made a mistake by never formally canvassing the document.

It’s understood Lindsay Tanner, who was chairman at the time, did not meet Lombardi.

Tanner declined to comment on Friday.

Multiple staff members insisted that Lombardi was hands-on. They were told he would be reviewing the football program, but said they never saw any outcomes come from it.

It’s understood Lombardi spoke to staff at Essendon’s Reynolds Room and Coleman Room meeting rooms and also held less formal chats in the club’s cafe.

Lombardi has been an executive for San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders and also worked under legendary coach Bill Belichick.

The Herald Sun put questions to Lombardi recently regarding his work for Essendon.

Lombardi, who lives in the US, asked for more information and arranged a time to speak.

However Lombardi suddenly changed his mind, saying: “My relationship with Essendon is confidential”.

The Bombers are adamant the Lombardi report is irrelevant now, given the club has undergone multiple leadership transformations since.

When Lombardi visited they had John Worsfold as coach, Ben Rutten as his assistant, Dan Richardson as football manager, Campbell as chief executive and Tanner as president.

They have all departed.

The Bombers have commissioned another three formal reviews since receiving Lombardi’s observations.

Former chairman Paul Brasher commissioned an internal review after the dismal 2020 season, which uncovered a more “ruthless” coaching mantra suited the players, and then another internal review after the 2-9 start to this season.

When new president David Barham ousted Brasher in August he demanded an external review because he was not happy with this year‘s internal review, which — like the 2020 version — was led by football directors Simon Madden and Sean Wellman.

Former player Andrew Welsh replaced Madden on the board last month.

Barham’s external review, which is being led by Ernst & Young and one-day chief executive Andrew Thorburn, is being finalised now.

Unlike Lombardi, the EY review will form a set of recommendations for the entire club — starting with the board and executive. The review will cover Essendon’s culture and processes and will also assess all of the administration and football department.

Thorburn said he hoped the EY review would lead to “great change”.

Click to expand...
So Campbell buried it?

I mean if you rewind to end of 2019, that's the second year of Worsfold's contract extension, with Richardson, Campbell and Dodoro engaged in some sort of political battle, after which time they announced the coaching succession plan and kept Daniher and Fantasia to their contracts for 2020.

Can only imagine it was scathing, if during or after that trade period. Or else definitely not what he advised them to do. 😆

I think Tanner was already semi-absent by that point and letting Campbell do as he pleased.
 
Lore said:
So Campbell buried it?

I mean if you re-wind to end of 2019, that's the second year of Worsfold's contract extension, with Richardson, Campbell and Dodoro engaged in some sort of political battle, after which time they announced the coaching succession plan and kept Daniher and Fantasia to their contracts for 2020.

Can only imagine it was scathing, if during or after that trade period. Or else definitely not what he advised them to do. 😆

I think Tanner was already semi-absent by that point and letting Campbell do as he pleased.
Click to expand...

This is what Jobe was referring to back in August.
 
Bunk Moreland said:
The Bombers have commissioned another three formal reviews since receiving Lombardi’s observations.
Click to expand...
You've got to respect this approach though - just keep doing formal reviews until you find an outcome you like.
 

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https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...s-story/e2f5c20eed6d4d887d39dc737f022c8e?amp#

Inside the Bombers’ blow-up: Mark Robinson and Scott Gullan reveal the behind the scenes chaos at Essendon​

Essendon is a national embarrassment. For the first time, Mark Robinson and Scott Gullan take you behind the scenes on the humiliating exits, quick kills, PR disasters and broken dreams.

Mark Robinson and Scott Gullan

8 min read
October 7, 2022 - 4:37PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...5c20eed6d4d887d39dc737f022c8e?amp#share-tools
Media-link

AFL: Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn has resigned after just one day in the job over controversial links to the church.
When Kevin Sheedy and his wife Geraldine boarded Lindsay Fox’s luxury boat in New York to celebrate the ol’ trucker’s 85th birthday last month, the Essendon coaching legend was in a festive mood.

Like everyone, he’d been looking forward to getting overseas again. But most of all he was content that the football club he loved was finally about to get its own ship in order.
Sheedy knew there was one final piece to the puzzle which required his touch and that would be taken care of when he finished mingling with 400 of Australia’s most rich and famous on the extravagant getaway.
Sheedy had the belief that he and the new president David Barham — a go-getter type for sure — would have the final say on who be the new coach of Essendon.
A six-member panel had been formed, which interestingly included his former arch enemy Robert Walls, to canvas a number of candidates, but in the end it would be Sheedy and Barham to make the ultimate call.
Or so he’d thought.
Kevin Sheedy shows his incredible passion for Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Kevin Sheedy shows his incredible passion for Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis
‘IT’S SO POLITICAL, IT’S UNBELIEVABLE’: HOW DONS GOT HERE
FOOTBALL clubs are unique but what they most resemble is a political party.
Factions dictate direction and at Essendon, it has long been the case where too much influence has been given to former legends or supporters with deep pockets and big mouths.
This year, and not for the first time, the Old Guard v the New Guard has faced off.
“It’s so political, it’s unbelievable,” said one former staff member, who’d come from another AFL club, of the goings on at the club’s Tullamarine headquarters.
“People have got to stop playing politics at that football club and actually just think about what they’re doing.”
The Essendonians is proudly the oldest coterie group in the AFL. They wield considerable power — or so they say — given they can alter the amount of money they donate to the club depending on how they view its operations.
So, if they don’t like someone or something (ie former coach Matthew Knights) then the administrators soon fall into line (ie hiring of James Hird).
The behind-the-scenes politics is at the heart of the latest mess.
Who would’ve thought the Bombers would find themselves in such a laugh-a-minute schmozzle so soon after the gut-wrenching and soul-destroying supplements scandal?
While understandably that horrible chapter in the club’s history has taken its toll, and probably still does, the botched number of resets in recent years is what continues to outrage the faithful.
The latest had its origin back to midway through the season – the Bombers won just two games from the opening 11 matches – when several powerbrokers, including Sheedy, concluded that Ben Rutten wasn’t the answer as senior coach.
Despite having got the Bombers into the finals in his first full season in the job following the departure of John Worsfold, the lack of a solid game plan and the disturbing regression by a number of players had Rutten clearly under pressure.
Even then, Sheedy had an inkling for Hird.
[PLAYERCARD]Ben Rutten[/PLAYERCARD] leaves Essendon HQ amid the drama. Picture: Tony Gough

Ben Rutten leaves Essendon HQ amid the drama. Picture: Tony Gough
The season swayed under the umbrella of a micky-mouse internal review, until the result of that review — namely to keep Rutten — produced a good old fashioned boardroom showdown.
In the pro Rutten camp were longstanding CEO Xavier Campbell and president Paul Brasher who’d also only been in the job for a year.
Across the table was Barham, who would ultimately take over the Essendon presidency after getting Sheedy’s backing.
In many respects, Barham was only president because of Sheedy. And Sheedy wanted Hird as coach. And Barham knew Sheedy wanted Hird as coach.
When the Bombers produced one of their worst performances of the season in round 22 at Marvel Stadium against Port Adelaide, losing by 84 points, Rutten was officially done.
Barham then made his move on Brasher, who in May had instigated the internal review of the underperforming football department. It was a quick kill. Brasher was forced into handing in his resignation as president the following day.
An external review into the entire operations of the club was launched immediately with former NAB boss and big-time Essendon fan Andrew Thorburn brought in to run it.
At the same time, Barham made his dash at coaching great Alastair Clarkson. His Hail Mary approach was too late and too unprofessional. And Clarkson agreed days later to join North Melbourne.
All the time, Rutten remained as the head coach.
It was humiliating for Rutten and unbecoming of a football club which, at its helm, had a man scrambling around like the Tassie Tiger cartoon character.
Barham kept Rutten hanging all week, forcing him to coach the final game of the season before knifing him the next day.
“You look at the way they treated Truck (Rutten), regardless if he can coach or not, you don’t treat people like that,” one former Essendon great said.
“If the president does that then anybody else at the club thinks they can do the same thing and get away with it. There’s your culture problem.”
Xavier Campbell and David Barham were barely communicating in the CEO’s final days at the club. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Xavier Campbell and David Barham were barely communicating in the CEO’s final days at the club. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui
Three days later, Campbell, who by this stage was barely communicating with Barham, fell on his sword. Then favourite son Simon Madden stepped down from the board and two other board members, Peter Allen and football director Sean Wellman, also signalled they would depart in the coming months.
It was brutal and badly handled.
The media giant Barham fumbled his first press conference, declaring the Bombers were after an experienced coach. It required football boss Josh Mahoney, who was leading the search for the new coach, to clarify Barham’s wishes days later when it became clear there weren’t any big fish desperate to get to Essendon.
One big fish who was becoming increasingly interested was Hird.
While his first stint in the top job at Essendon had ended horribly, and almost with his life, the club legend had put himself back into the football world as a part-time assistant helping his former teammate Mark McVeigh at the Giants.
Simply, he’d caught the bug again.
And Sheedy was quickly in his court, believing his premiership captain was exactly the man to pull his old club together again.
Hird believed it, too.
Further, it’s understood Hird and Barham had spoken several weeks previously and that Hird was assured he would be legitimately considered for the job.
No promises from Barham, but an assurance that he and Sheedy would be picking the coach.
So, Hird went for an interview.
And Sheedy went to New York.
The cunning old bugger’s plan was in train.
Already, whatever hope Barham had of landing Clarkson was scuppered when Sheedy suggested in a radio interview that Clarkson would be better suited at the Kangaroos.
In Sheedy’s mind, everything was in order.
Kevin Sheedy had a plan for James Hird’s return. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Kevin Sheedy had a plan for James Hird’s return. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
HOW THE LAY OF THE LAND CHANGED AT ESSENDON
WHAT happened in the 12 days Sheedy was at sea is a mystery.
When he disembarked in Montreal, the lay of the land at Essendon had changed dramatically.
Four candidates had been interviewed by the Bombers panel which included Walls, Hawthorn premiership star Jordan Lewis, netball legend Simone McKinnins, football manager Josh Mahoney, board member Dorothy Hisgrove and consultant Thorburn.
Hird had reportedly impressed but he never heard back from the panel.
His former teammate Dean Solomon and St Kilda assistant Brendon Lade also only had one interview, while Melbourne assistant Adem Yze, who’d just missed out on the GWS job, received a second interview.
He was now the favourite.
And Hird? Media folk were emphatically declaring he had no chance — was there a leak from Essendon? — which left Hird pondering if he had been lied to.
As Grand Final week kicked in, and while Sheedy was still overseas, Barham’s focus shifted to former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott.
Scott had refused to say if he was officially interested in the role because, as the AFL’s football operations manager, he believed it wasn’t appropriate to be a candidate until the season had been completed.
After watching his twin Chris win another premiership with Geelong, Scott put his hand up to be interviewed the following Thursday, and then he met the Essendon board which included Sheedy via Zoom.
The so-called plan of Barham and Sheedy selecting the coach, presumably after considering recommendations from the selection panel, was ditched, which blindsided Sheedy.
There was no vote between Scott and Hird and even Yze per se.
Instead, after just the one interview, Scott was the nomination and he was voted in as the new coach. Not unanimously mind you.
Sheedy, who was in California, was shocked and disappointed.
He called the Herald Sun, wanting the world to know he voted for Hird.
He was widely condemned for “breaking ranks’’, but such is the cost of loyalty.
For sure, the bond between a captain and his coach in the AFL is special, far beyond any player-coach relationship.
Brad Scott and David Barham at the announcement of the new coach. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Brad Scott and David Barham at the announcement of the new coach. Picture: Nicki Connolly
Think Chris Scott and Joel Selwood, Damien Hardwick and Trent Cotchin, Leigh Matthews and Michael Voss. There is a trust, respect and appreciation which is there for life.
A true example came with Luke Hodge’s statement in support of Clarkson at the height of the Hawthorn scandal. He wanted his ex-coach to know that he was in his corner.
That’s exactly what Sheedy felt when he publicly declared he’d voted for Hird. He didn’t want anyone to think he’d turned his back on his captain.
It blazed headlines on the very day Scott was at his first press conference.
If the footy world thought the Sheedy bomb was a PR disaster, the appointment of Thorburn as CEO made the club a national embarrassment.
It was announced just hours before Monday night’s Crichton Medal count, which allowed Thorburn to address the assembled players and supporters.
Twenty hours later he was gone.
Barham’s “comprehensive” process to appoint Thorburn failed to look into his links with church organisation, City on a Hill, whose website revealed its offensive views on abortion, homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
His resignation after Essendon asked him to choose between the church and the football club ignited a political debate which has gone around the country and is still raging today.
Indeed, the process of appointing Thorburn to the role had put some staff at the football club off-side.
Andrew Thorburn lasted one day as Essendon CEO.

Andrew Thorburn lasted one day as Essendon CEO.
He’d been in charge of the external review and as part of that review, he had spoken to dozens of staff, urging them to tell him everything as he was an impartial observer.
Thorburn also interviewed candidates for the vacant CEO job, canvassing their IP, before deciding he would put his hand up for the gig.
Talk about a conflict of interest.
Still, Barham gave him the job.
“That was never going to be a safe environment for the employees,” one club insider said.
“He ran the review, the staff were honest with him, he was saying, ‘I’m impartial, tell me all your secrets’. Then suddenly it was like, ‘Oh by the way now all those things you said, I remember them and I’m now your CEO’.”
The man left standing is Barham who has conceded there has been some missteps along the way.
How Barham survives this mess is now a matter of great discussion and among those powerful coterie groups, there will be a group of people who think they can do better.
For sure, a board challenge is not out of the question.
Sheedy, meanwhile, will support Scott to the hilt.
And Hird? He probably thinks he was strung along, and if that is the truth, he will never have anything to do with the Essendon Football Club again.
 

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Can definitely see a world where something came across someone’s desk and they thought ‘Lombard’s the paper people? Pffft’ and just binned it.

We aren’t even smart or competent enough to outsource something.
 

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jmoo wan said:
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...s-story/e2f5c20eed6d4d887d39dc737f022c8e?amp#

Inside the Bombers’ blow-up: Mark Robinson and Scott Gullan reveal the behind the scenes chaos at Essendon​

Essendon is a national embarrassment. For the first time, Mark Robinson and Scott Gullan take you behind the scenes on the humiliating exits, quick kills, PR disasters and broken dreams.

Mark Robinson and Scott Gullan

8 min read
October 7, 2022 - 4:37PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...5c20eed6d4d887d39dc737f022c8e?amp#share-tools
Media-link

AFL: Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn has resigned after just one day in the job over controversial links to the church.
When Kevin Sheedy and his wife Geraldine boarded Lindsay Fox’s luxury boat in New York to celebrate the ol’ trucker’s 85th birthday last month, the Essendon coaching legend was in a festive mood.

Like everyone, he’d been looking forward to getting overseas again. But most of all he was content that the football club he loved was finally about to get its own ship in order.
Sheedy knew there was one final piece to the puzzle which required his touch and that would be taken care of when he finished mingling with 400 of Australia’s most rich and famous on the extravagant getaway.
Sheedy had the belief that he and the new president David Barham — a go-getter type for sure — would have the final say on who be the new coach of Essendon.
A six-member panel had been formed, which interestingly included his former arch enemy Robert Walls, to canvas a number of candidates, but in the end it would be Sheedy and Barham to make the ultimate call.
Or so he’d thought.
Kevin Sheedy shows his incredible passion for Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Kevin Sheedy shows his incredible passion for Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis
‘IT’S SO POLITICAL, IT’S UNBELIEVABLE’: HOW DONS GOT HERE
FOOTBALL clubs are unique but what they most resemble is a political party.
Factions dictate direction and at Essendon, it has long been the case where too much influence has been given to former legends or supporters with deep pockets and big mouths.
This year, and not for the first time, the Old Guard v the New Guard has faced off.
“It’s so political, it’s unbelievable,” said one former staff member, who’d come from another AFL club, of the goings on at the club’s Tullamarine headquarters.
“People have got to stop playing politics at that football club and actually just think about what they’re doing.”
The Essendonians is proudly the oldest coterie group in the AFL. They wield considerable power — or so they say — given they can alter the amount of money they donate to the club depending on how they view its operations.
So, if they don’t like someone or something (ie former coach Matthew Knights) then the administrators soon fall into line (ie hiring of James Hird).
The behind-the-scenes politics is at the heart of the latest mess.
Who would’ve thought the Bombers would find themselves in such a laugh-a-minute schmozzle so soon after the gut-wrenching and soul-destroying supplements scandal?
While understandably that horrible chapter in the club’s history has taken its toll, and probably still does, the botched number of resets in recent years is what continues to outrage the faithful.
The latest had its origin back to midway through the season – the Bombers won just two games from the opening 11 matches – when several powerbrokers, including Sheedy, concluded that Ben Rutten wasn’t the answer as senior coach.
Despite having got the Bombers into the finals in his first full season in the job following the departure of John Worsfold, the lack of a solid game plan and the disturbing regression by a number of players had Rutten clearly under pressure.
Even then, Sheedy had an inkling for Hird.
Ben Rutten leaves Essendon HQ amid the drama. Picture: Tony Gough

Ben Rutten leaves Essendon HQ amid the drama. Picture: Tony Gough
The season swayed under the umbrella of a micky-mouse internal review, until the result of that review — namely to keep Rutten — produced a good old fashioned boardroom showdown.
In the pro Rutten camp were longstanding CEO Xavier Campbell and president Paul Brasher who’d also only been in the job for a year.
Across the table was Barham, who would ultimately take over the Essendon presidency after getting Sheedy’s backing.
In many respects, Barham was only president because of Sheedy. And Sheedy wanted Hird as coach. And Barham knew Sheedy wanted Hird as coach.
When the Bombers produced one of their worst performances of the season in round 22 at Marvel Stadium against Port Adelaide, losing by 84 points, Rutten was officially done.
Barham then made his move on Brasher, who in May had instigated the internal review of the underperforming football department. It was a quick kill. Brasher was forced into handing in his resignation as president the following day.
An external review into the entire operations of the club was launched immediately with former NAB boss and big-time Essendon fan Andrew Thorburn brought in to run it.
At the same time, Barham made his dash at coaching great Alastair Clarkson. His Hail Mary approach was too late and too unprofessional. And Clarkson agreed days later to join North Melbourne.
All the time, Rutten remained as the head coach.
It was humiliating for Rutten and unbecoming of a football club which, at its helm, had a man scrambling around like the Tassie Tiger cartoon character.
Barham kept Rutten hanging all week, forcing him to coach the final game of the season before knifing him the next day.
“You look at the way they treated Truck (Rutten), regardless if he can coach or not, you don’t treat people like that,” one former Essendon great said.
“If the president does that then anybody else at the club thinks they can do the same thing and get away with it. There’s your culture problem.”
Xavier Campbell and David Barham were barely communicating in the CEO’s final days at the club. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Xavier Campbell and David Barham were barely communicating in the CEO’s final days at the club. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui
Three days later, Campbell, who by this stage was barely communicating with Barham, fell on his sword. Then favourite son Simon Madden stepped down from the board and two other board members, Peter Allen and football director Sean Wellman, also signalled they would depart in the coming months.
It was brutal and badly handled.
The media giant Barham fumbled his first press conference, declaring the Bombers were after an experienced coach. It required football boss Josh Mahoney, who was leading the search for the new coach, to clarify Barham’s wishes days later when it became clear there weren’t any big fish desperate to get to Essendon.
One big fish who was becoming increasingly interested was Hird.
While his first stint in the top job at Essendon had ended horribly, and almost with his life, the club legend had put himself back into the football world as a part-time assistant helping his former teammate Mark McVeigh at the Giants.
Simply, he’d caught the bug again.
And Sheedy was quickly in his court, believing his premiership captain was exactly the man to pull his old club together again.
Hird believed it, too.
Further, it’s understood Hird and Barham had spoken several weeks previously and that Hird was assured he would be legitimately considered for the job.
No promises from Barham, but an assurance that he and Sheedy would be picking the coach.
So, Hird went for an interview.
And Sheedy went to New York.
The cunning old bugger’s plan was in train.
Already, whatever hope Barham had of landing Clarkson was scuppered when Sheedy suggested in a radio interview that Clarkson would be better suited at the Kangaroos.
In Sheedy’s mind, everything was in order.
Kevin Sheedy had a plan for James Hird’s return. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Kevin Sheedy had a plan for James Hird’s return. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
HOW THE LAY OF THE LAND CHANGED AT ESSENDON
WHAT happened in the 12 days Sheedy was at sea is a mystery.
When he disembarked in Montreal, the lay of the land at Essendon had changed dramatically.
Four candidates had been interviewed by the Bombers panel which included Walls, Hawthorn premiership star Jordan Lewis, netball legend Simone McKinnins, football manager Josh Mahoney, board member Dorothy Hisgrove and consultant Thorburn.
Hird had reportedly impressed but he never heard back from the panel.
His former teammate Dean Solomon and St Kilda assistant Brendon Lade also only had one interview, while Melbourne assistant Adem Yze, who’d just missed out on the GWS job, received a second interview.
He was now the favourite.
And Hird? Media folk were emphatically declaring he had no chance — was there a leak from Essendon? — which left Hird pondering if he had been lied to.
As Grand Final week kicked in, and while Sheedy was still overseas, Barham’s focus shifted to former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott.
Scott had refused to say if he was officially interested in the role because, as the AFL’s football operations manager, he believed it wasn’t appropriate to be a candidate until the season had been completed.
After watching his twin Chris win another premiership with Geelong, Scott put his hand up to be interviewed the following Thursday, and then he met the Essendon board which included Sheedy via Zoom.
The so-called plan of Barham and Sheedy selecting the coach, presumably after considering recommendations from the selection panel, was ditched, which blindsided Sheedy.
There was no vote between Scott and Hird and even Yze per se.
Instead, after just the one interview, Scott was the nomination and he was voted in as the new coach. Not unanimously mind you.
Sheedy, who was in California, was shocked and disappointed.
He called the Herald Sun, wanting the world to know he voted for Hird.
He was widely condemned for “breaking ranks’’, but such is the cost of loyalty.
For sure, the bond between a captain and his coach in the AFL is special, far beyond any player-coach relationship.
Brad Scott and David Barham at the announcement of the new coach. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Brad Scott and David Barham at the announcement of the new coach. Picture: Nicki Connolly
Think Chris Scott and Joel Selwood, Damien Hardwick and Trent Cotchin, Leigh Matthews and Michael Voss. There is a trust, respect and appreciation which is there for life.
A true example came with Luke Hodge’s statement in support of Clarkson at the height of the Hawthorn scandal. He wanted his ex-coach to know that he was in his corner.
That’s exactly what Sheedy felt when he publicly declared he’d voted for Hird. He didn’t want anyone to think he’d turned his back on his captain.
It blazed headlines on the very day Scott was at his first press conference.
If the footy world thought the Sheedy bomb was a PR disaster, the appointment of Thorburn as CEO made the club a national embarrassment.
It was announced just hours before Monday night’s Crichton Medal count, which allowed Thorburn to address the assembled players and supporters.
Twenty hours later he was gone.
Barham’s “comprehensive” process to appoint Thorburn failed to look into his links with church organisation, City on a Hill, whose website revealed its offensive views on abortion, homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
His resignation after Essendon asked him to choose between the church and the football club ignited a political debate which has gone around the country and is still raging today.
Indeed, the process of appointing Thorburn to the role had put some staff at the football club off-side.
Andrew Thorburn lasted one day as Essendon CEO.

Andrew Thorburn lasted one day as Essendon CEO.
He’d been in charge of the external review and as part of that review, he had spoken to dozens of staff, urging them to tell him everything as he was an impartial observer.
Thorburn also interviewed candidates for the vacant CEO job, canvassing their IP, before deciding he would put his hand up for the gig.
Talk about a conflict of interest.
Still, Barham gave him the job.
“That was never going to be a safe environment for the employees,” one club insider said.
“He ran the review, the staff were honest with him, he was saying, ‘I’m impartial, tell me all your secrets’. Then suddenly it was like, ‘Oh by the way now all those things you said, I remember them and I’m now your CEO’.”
The man left standing is Barham who has conceded there has been some missteps along the way.
How Barham survives this mess is now a matter of great discussion and among those powerful coterie groups, there will be a group of people who think they can do better.
For sure, a board challenge is not out of the question.
Sheedy, meanwhile, will support Scott to the hilt.
And Hird? He probably thinks he was strung along, and if that is the truth, he will never have anything to do with the Essendon Football Club again.

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Click to expand...
So Sheedy thought just he and Barham would make the decision on the coach ....and of course Sheedy only had Hird in mind. FMD this is even crazier the we thought if this shit is true
 
Reasonable article that probably doesn’t hit the mark Wobo expected it to. If the angle is meant to be a “Barham doubled crossed a club legend - what an outrage!”, I don’t think that will be the reaction.

Barham outplayed Sheedy at his own game and did it beautifully.
 
I couldn't be any surer that all the leaks we're now seeing is the last ditch effort by the old guard to prevent the change that will come. The coteries, Sheedy, Dodoro and others are throwing everything they can now before Barham has a chance to act on the report.
 
Last edited:
Mr Mojo Risin said:
I couldn't be any surer that all the leaks we're now seeing is the last ditched effort by the old guard to prevent the change that will come. The coteries, Sheedy, Dodoro and others are throwing everything they can now before Barham has a chance to act on the report.
Click to expand...

to be fair, Sheedy should have been credited as a co-writer
 
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