Club Mgmt. Board of Directors as led by President Dave Barham

[Lore]

Tom Morris, 9 News via Fox Sports:

“A major board challenge is imminent at Essendon. In the wake of an off-season of turmoil, key powerbrokers - including at least one former player - are preparing a movement which would oust David Barham as president, and other directors too,” he said on Nine News.

“I’ve spoken to one of the key powerbrokers tonight, who says this is not coterie-driven, and it’s just a manner of when and not if the challenge takes place.

“There’s a view the club has been left rudderless and the Barham era has left a legacy of division, instability, player drainage and lost opportunity from this group of people.”

‘Rudderless’ Bombers facing more off-field chaos as club boss set to be challenged

‘Rudderless’ Bombers facing more off-field chaos as club boss set to be challenged

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Old Campaigner]

Most boards function best with pretty much a single expert in each key area of the business as it gives the board the expertise to conduct the right oversight as a group with a key board member able to guide oversight on each area. Then with a president to oversee it.

For example at a footy club you would probably want an expert each in football, governance, communication, finance, events, sponsorship and membership.

That's probably close to an ideal board, with a president overseeing it.

Other "general" board members can be superfluous, muddy the waters and stick their nose in where it isn't really required. They see their role as just kinda "running the club" so it can attract people who think they know everything, such as Sheedy.

If I'm president I'm looking sharply at what each board member has expertise in and how that pertains to the club. Then where there's gaps in skill-sets, look to fill them.

I certainly don't need three finance guys or four footy guys (ex coaches and players). Ideally I need one of each to help us provide oversight over the footy department and the finances, which is our job.

That's the ideal - unfortunately though it becomes political, people see the roles as a prize, and ask how it can help and further them rather than the club. They become figureheads for those wanting to wield power and it goes from there. And it’s voted by mostly nuffies.

At the moment we have

Welsh - Footy
Wills - Finance
Hisgrove - She's a HR person?
Muir - he's a retailer?
O'Sullivan - Wagering and entertainment?
Roberts - Property
Verner Green - Media
Howard - Lawyer

I mean they all have transferable skills of course but there's a few I'd be questioning what they're bringing. "I've been a CEO"... yeah great...

I'd be looking to Barham to tell us who he wants on his board and why. These are the people I endorse and the actual experience they bring to help the club.

Solomon's whole history is footy so unless he is replacing Welsh we have zero need for him. He will add precisely nothing.

I really don't know what Weston's background is. He seems to just talk about "premiership experience" or some such bullshit. Again, I have no idea what he's bringing.

From everything both of them say, they sound like they want to be coaches, not board members.

Generalised business acumen is important too, as is an understanding of sound governance practices. You don’t need to be an expert in a particular area to question decision making processes etc by the executive.

I believe having at least one but ideally a few independent directors is important as well, maybe someone who isn’t a lifelong fan who doesn’t have any emotional attachment and can see through the bullshit from the likes of Sheedy.

I share your concern that Solomon and Weston, they seem like they want to be too hands on. Solomon looks like his post footy career has mostly just been coaching with little notable success, while Weston has apparently spent the last 7 years as a self employed regional sales director and before that a BDM at some publisher… neither inspires a huge amount of confidence

 

[Lore]

https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/Essendon/Hero/EFC%20Board%20Skills.pdf

These are the areas of expertise for the EFC board and how many directors they want for each.

The nomination form also requires them to nominate what expertise they have… but I’ve no idea how they enforce that and prevent duplication…

 

[Old Campaigner]

That’s probably why they have the rule about being able to appoint directors- so they can get some finance expertise on the board if the nuffs elect a bunch of CTE affected ex players with no useful knowledge

 

[Milanista28]

Weston and Soloman get in, Welsh becomes Pres, we finish 14th with a record like 7-16...

Is Scott coaching in 2026?

People start talking about James Hird...

We've been a circus for a while, and we're on the precipice of something truly special, even for us.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Weston and Soloman get in, Welsh becomes Pres, we finish 14th with a record like 7-16...

Is Scott coaching in 2026?

People start talking about James Hird...

We've been a circus for a while, and we're on the precipice of something truly special, even for us.

I looked at blitz after ages as was curious how the vibe was there. Hopefully the vote is more in line with the vibe here than on blitz/the comment section for the original article from Robbo, as they seem way more on board with Westons "Make Essendon Great Again" pitch than we are.

 

[The Donners]

I don't mind having a past player on the board if they have relevant experience to bring to the board. Being a past player or coach has fairly limited relevance to a board of directors role IMO, you're not there to play or coach, you're there to oversee the organisation and facilitate the football department doing their thing.

Aside from 'good bloke' what does Solomon bring that someone else doesn't? Do we need it? We've already got Welsh as a past player.

It's a no from me.

I think 1 person on the board fits the quota of past players - unless their certain skill they bring to the board is beyond football.

 

[Donflicted]

I am going to say this

If you do not vote for David Barham you are one of the Problems.

David Barham nor Brad Scott Nor Vozzo are responsible for the past 20 years of issues.

Brad Scott got a botched list that was built like a child collecting Pokemon cards

If David Barham isnt backed in i am done with the Dons

 

[84859300]

Honestly, if Dodoro even looks like returning I'm done.

Not Big Footy done, actual Essendon done.

You'll see me around as DapperSaint

Not DapperDevil?

I mean, it writes itself...

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I looked at blitz after ages as was curious how the vibe was there. Hopefully the vote is more in line with the vibe here than on blitz/the comment section for the original article from Robbo, as they seem way more on board with Westons "Make Essendon Great Again" pitch than we are.

Nuffies on bomber blitz, well I never

 

[Nicholas61]

Weston and Soloman get in, Welsh becomes Pres, we finish 14th with a record like 7-16...

Is Scott coaching in 2026?

People start talking about James Hird...

We've been a circus for a while, and we're on the precipice of something truly special, even for us.

The other scenario if we look like we are making progress especially under an old enemy like Scott - does sabotage take place? With Sheeds' ego and probably Hird too, I doubt they are happy unless they are the ones who in one way or another take us to the land of milk and honey. Also Sheeds' announced exit (15th Aug) then Dodoro taking personal leave (16th Aug) when the current heirarchy had enough of the latter I don't think there is coincidence here.

 

[ant555]

Weston and Soloman get in, Welsh becomes Pres, we finish 14th with a record like 7-16...

Is Scott coaching in 2026?

People start talking about James Hird...

We've been a circus for a while, and we're on the precipice of something truly special, even for us.

This is exactly the angle. Robbo and Sheedy and the Hird for coach fan club including some coterie members are pushing Western up as a candidate in the hope the between Western and Solly they can remove Barham form the board and be in a position to sack Scott if we do not play finals next year.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Vote Barham and Verner Green.

Let em keeping going at the job.

Being on the board that tossed Sheedy and Dodoro is deserving of another term in itself.

 

[Donflicted]

Nuffies on bomber blitz, well I never

Biggest Nuffies on the planet

 

[ant555]

The really dumb part of Westerns comments about needing premiership experience on the board is the fact that under Brasher they had Madden and Wellman on the board and Sheedy was also on the board with them for a while.
This is 100% about those wanting Hird as coach.

 

[fairbump_playon]

I looked at blitz after ages as was curious how the vibe was there. Hopefully the vote is more in line with the vibe here than on blitz/the comment section for the original article from Robbo, as they seem way more on board with Westons "Make Essendon Great Again" pitch than we are.

It’s pretty cool being at the grown ups table

 

[ant555]

Nuffies on bomber blitz, well I never

Essendon nuffies are a special brand

 

[ant555]

Still no finals wins, but Dons don't need more board upheaval

Essendon needs plenty of things - a key forward, a powerful star mid - but a new president isn't one of them, writes Cal Twomey

www.afl.com.au

 

[Donflicted]

By not backing in Dave Barham we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

Enoughs enough of this bullshit we have had real change and good change bringing in the old regime will get us no where so hard supporting this club with the amount of nuffies that follow.

Sheedy nor Hird and certainly not Dodoro is going to get us anywhere i am so sick of this concept that Hird is the golden boy that will rise this club from the depths of the ocean he is not a messiah

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Nuffies on bomber blitz, well I never

As we've seen in the US, these people can still have an impact

 

[ant555]

Who is Luke Maxfield?

Some random member. You can see his statement on Facebook.

 

[Milanista28]

I'm on board with giving the Barham, Vozzo and Scott story line time to play out, I do find it funny reading Barham talk about needing 'Stability and unity' and to give them time to build something sustainable, something not afforded to Rutten when he made his move.

Scott has had way more support than Truck and hasn't outperformed him, even though part of the boards call to sack Truck was based on our list under performing.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

I'm on board with giving the Barham, Vozzo and Scott story line time to play out, I do find it funny reading Barham talk about needing 'Stability and unity' and to give them time to build something sustainable, something not afforded to Rutten when he made his move.

Scott has had way more support than Truck and hasn't outperformed him, even though part of the boards call to sack Truck was based on our list under performing.

fair comments but it is what it is now and I dont want us to continue the cycle of shooting ourselves in the foot chasing quick success.
At end of day the list really isnt up to scratch and regardless of what the narrative was to get rid of Truck it needs an overhaul. Scott/Vozzo havent been perfect but at least we have made changes to list management now and you can see a change in approach (although I wish the change had occured a bit quicker!).

 

[jdBombers3598]

I looked at blitz after ages as was curious how the vibe was there. Hopefully the vote is more in line with the vibe here than on blitz/the comment section for the original article from Robbo, as they seem way more on board with Westons "Make Essendon Great Again" pitch than we are.

Yeah we are a bunch of nutcases on blitz. I cant actually believe people would vote for Weston, he's going to set us even further bacj

 

[thebigboy]

Its the arrogance of the candidate statements from Solomon & Weston that really makes this whole thing stupid.

Solomon - Owner/Director of multiple business - great, like what? Fantastic you played for us & coached at a few clubs, but unless you're putting the boots back on, nobody gives a shit. This is far more of a business role, not a footy role, try demonstrate that you're at least across that.

Weston - Congrats on playing in 2 flags 40 years ago, what the hell do you know about being a board member of a business of $80mill per annum? Demonstrate that.

I'd vote for the random fan before voting for those 2.

 

[jdBombers3598]

I am going to say this

If you do not vote for David Barham you are one of the Problems.

David Barham nor Brad Scott Nor Vozzo are responsible for the past 20 years of issues.

Brad Scott got a botched list that was built like a child collecting Pokemon cards

If David Barham isnt backed in i am done with the Dons

Dave is far from perfect and has been responsible for many **** ups. He's been on the board for 9 years and we made some absolutely terrible decisions during that time, like trading away our picks in 2017 and 2018

But he is a much better alternative than the bloke who wants to get on the board and will set us back even further