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

 

[Igavemyloveachicken]

Gut feel regarding Hird is that he’s got idiots like Sheedy and Robbo advocating for him but they’re not his mouthpieces, he’s not coveting a senior role, the only reason he stepped in as a genuine assistant was to help Spike out.

Having said that it’s just a gut feel, I never thought we’d see him back in footy at all so what the hell do I know.

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.

 

[Igavemyloveachicken]

I think the big winner out of all this is Mark Ricciuto.

In what way, how do you see this scenario playing out?

 

[BomberFan355]

In what way, how do you see this scenario playing out?

Probably referring to the media heat he was under.

 

[Igavemyloveachicken]

Probably referring to the media heat he was under.

I thought it might be Essendon get Clarkson.
North Melbourne have difficulty in keeping JHF because of this.
Adelaide get JHF for 2024.

 

[WillowSF]

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 is driven by success. North are going to continue to struggle for the foreseeable future so I think the Bombers are way more attractive. He was also bitterly disappointed about how he was moved on at Hawthorn so he has something to prove.

Clarkson is driven by success. North are going to continue to struggle for the foreseeable future so I think the Bombers are way more attractive. He was also bitterly disappointed about how he was moved on at Hawthorn so he has something to prove. I’m pretty sure he’s going to take his chances & choose Essendon. He had passed his use by date with us but obviously has lots to offer.

 

[Howard Moon]

These board members with heads up their arses probably think we have this huge throbbing fan base that will rejoice as one and bow at their feet for bringing the true Messiah, Hird back.

The ultimate missreading of the room will be complete when the fan base schisms and we have less members than north. The masochist in me has the popcorn but the empath in me still worries for the dark place that man.was in.

 

[Zach Package]

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.

United are a pretty apt comparison for us given the backroom antics the Glazers are known for, the carousel of managers and now ETH coming in to do a proper rebuild like Rutten is trying to do, we will see how long that lasts for them before the natives get restless

 

[VelvetSledge]

United are a pretty apt comparison for us given the backroom antics the Glazers are known for, the carousel of managers and now ETH coming in to do a proper rebuild like Rutten is trying to do, we will see how long that lasts for them before the natives get restless

The answer is two weeks

 

[The Donners]

Katie Lio now says she didn't say they resigned due to a toxic culture.

Who is Katie Lio?

 

[VelvetSledge]

Who is Katie Lio?

VFLW President

 

[The Donners]

VFLW President

I see.

Go AFLW Bombers!

 

[WindyHillWarrior]

And the sad part is the rank and file members will never vote Sheedy out.

We're doomed to fleeting nostalgia.

Someone shop a MAGA (or MEGA) hat onto Sheedy for my new av pls

 

[BrunoV]

Genuinely curious, based on what? Everything we’ve done this week screams an unstable club, plus he’s had a month of due diligence on north compared to a few days on us, not to mention Hoods interview tonight where she seems very confident

This week is not the first contact representatives of Essendon have had with Clarkson.

Who knows how long Barham has been talking to him, for example. I'd say internal review announcement is the earliest point in the likely range.

Whateley said it again on 360 last night, I think the words were 'a white hot rumour' from June that Clarkson was interested in Essendon. That roughly coincides with the internal review.

Whateley has been doing PR for Clarkson since about June. It dates back to a show I heard after he returned from leave. He MCd a lunch Clarkson was guest speaker at which seems to be the start of the relationship.

This sort of thing is always going to be messy. It takes time to work the politics for the board to change hands. Clarkson understands this, he's fought Kennett most of his career.

My guess is that it's part of the appeal. Taking on the factions and power brokers and leaving his mark. It's all part of the challenge of a big club.

It's why I find Robbo's comments re North to be so transparently Hird-related. What legacy is North for someone who sees himself or who is one of the greatest coaches of all time?

Take Essendon from the shit show it has been to a few flags, in an era in which Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond all look like they will be strong? Can you imagine what the G is going to look like what could be 15 times a year in the next 5 years? Imagine September.

He's unquestionably the GOAT because he's then done it all. He'll have the thanks of, by that stage, probably 120k to 150k members.

I harbour no ill will toward North. I was at those games in the 90s when the crowd figure always seemed to be smaller than what was in attendance. But really, the AFL finished the strangulation Essendon started in the 1890s. Win flags at North and it's not even a guarantee of that club's long term viability.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Take Essendon from the s**t show it has been to a few flags, in an era in which Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond all look like they will be strong? Can you imagine what the G is going to look like what could be 15 times a year?

He's unquestionably the GOAT because he's then done it all. He'll have the thanks of, by that stage, probably 120k to 150k members.

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.

 

[Petrify]

Clarkson is driven by success. North are going to continue to struggle for the foreseeable future so I think the Bombers are way more attractive. He was also bitterly disappointed about how he was moved on at Hawthorn so he has something to prove. I’m pretty sure he’s going to take his chances & choose Essendon. He had passed his use by date with us but obviously has lots to offer.

I like the theory that he's being driven by spite after the way he was moved on. Especially if he harbors some ill will to Sam Mitchell. Nobody hates Sam mote than Essendon

 

[DonsRule]

Clarkson is driven by success. North are going to continue to struggle for the foreseeable future so I think the Bombers are way more attractive. He was also bitterly disappointed about how he was moved on at Hawthorn so he has something to prove. I’m pretty sure he’s going to take his chances & choose Essendon. He had passed his use by date with us but obviously has lots to offer.

Our board is what worries me the most too much instability otherwise I would think for those reasons he’d choose Essendon. But wonder if the better board stability at North appeals. We can barely sack Rutter correctly no comms to members really

 

[Stopher]

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.

Was just coming here to post this. Hell, RoCo even mentioned in that recent podcast that Essendon kept wanting to be the AFL's Manchester United!

Be ****ing careful what you wish for!

 

[fairbump_playon]

I like the theory that he's being driven by spite after the way he was moved on. Especially if he harbors some ill will to Sam Mitchell. Nobody hates Sam mote than Essendon

Clarkson will inject some much needed spite?

 

[WindyHillWarrior]

Now that you’ve given him the idea I’m sure he shamelessly will.

Or she.

Sexist.

 

[ghostdog]

This week is not the first contact representatives of Essendon have had with Clarkson.

Who knows how long Barham has been talking to him, for example. I'd say internal review announcement is the earliest point in the likely range.

Whateley said it again on 360 last night, I think the words were 'a white hot rumour' from June that Clarkson was interested in Essendon. That roughly coincides with the internal review.

Whateley has been doing PR for Clarkson since about June. It dates back to a show I heard after he returned from leave. He MCd a lunch Clarkson was guest speaker at which seems to be the start of the relationship.

This sort of thing is always going to be messy. It takes time to work the politics for the board to change hands. Clarkson understands this, he's fought Kennett most of his career.

My guess is that it's part of the appeal. Taking on the factions and power brokers and leaving his mark. It's all part of the challenge of a big club.

It's why I find Robbo's comments re North to be so transparently Hird-related. What legacy is North for someone who sees himself or who is one of the greatest coaches of all time?

Take Essendon from the s**t show it has been to a few flags, in an era in which Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond all look like they will be strong? Can you imagine what the G is going to look like what could be 15 times a year in the next 5 years? Imagine September.

He's unquestionably the GOAT because he's then done it all. He'll have the thanks of, by that stage, probably 120k to 150k members.

I harbour no ill will toward North. I was at those games in the 90s when the crowd figure always seemed to be smaller than what was in attendance. But really, the AFL finished the strangulation Essendon started in the 1890s. Win flags at North and it's not even a guarantee of that club's long term viability.

I think I read somewhere that Clarkson thinks it disrespectful to announce before the end of the round. Given Adams is only a caretaker, that comment seemed to me to be more Rutten considered, so I agree. It looks like Essendon.

For the life of me I don't see why. He would have to be confident that the administrative and structural stuff can be fixed fairly quickly. The whole place looks dysfunctional to me.

If we don't sign Clarko now and Hird is parachuted in, that will be the joke of the year. If any of our players have their doubts about the club now, imagine how they'll feel if that happened.

 

[Petrify]

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.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

I think I read somewhere that Clarkson thinks it disrespectful to announce before the end of the round. Given Adams is only a caretaker, that comment seemed to me to be more Rutten considered, so I agree. It looks like Essendon.

For the life of me I don't see why. He would have to be confident that the administrative and structural stuff can be fixed fairly quickly. The whole place looks dysfunctional to me.

If we don't sign Clarko now and Hird is parachuted in, that will be the joke of the year. If any of our players have their doubts about the club now, imagine how they'll feel if that happened.

I have no issues with Hird being assigned an assistant coach (as long as the senior coach is OK with it) so he can earn his stripes again.

Putting him straight back in as the senior would be a complete shit fest, on top of already large shit fest.

 

[TheGrizz]

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.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

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.

he just needs to earn the stripes/respect back.

if he does the time and earns it back than he will cop less heat. Putting him straight back in will be a joke and he surely would know that.

 

[The Dustbin]

Let's be honest, the real issue and cancer at the club is X. The sooner Paul Little's **** farks off the better.