Essendon’s head of football, Dan Richardson, believes Brendon Goddard would be a great asset as a coach.
The 333-game Bomber veteran was told today that he will not be offered a contract in 2019 which has placed plenty of uncertainty on his playing future.
It is understood that two of the logical destinations for Goddard – St Kilda and Gold Coast – are both coy on whether or not they will offer him an opportunity to continue his AFL career.
At this point it appears his former club the Saints, as well as the Suns, are both set to pass on the 33-year-old, whose future as a player is clouded, but according to Richardson, but there perhaps could be a pathway in the coaching caper.
Asked by Sam McClure on SEN’s Time On if Goddard could still be an asset for another club in 2019, Richardson said: “It depends in what form.
“What I do know is he shows great leadership qualities, he shows an outstanding knowledge of the game.
“He sees the game incredibly well. He would certainly be an enormous asset as a coach.
“In terms of where things are at and other club’s lists, it’s really not for me to comment, but if you talk about just as a person, his knowledge of footy and his leadership, he would most definitely be an asset in that capacity.”
Richardson, who formerly managed Goddard and was involved in the free agency deal which saw him join the Bombers from St Kilda back in 2012, admits it was a tough call to delist the two-time All-Australian.
“It was very difficult,” he added.
“In football and life, sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, and be part of a difficult decision – it was a list management decision – but I found it really challenging I have to admit.
“It’s fair to say we both shed a tear because it’s really tough, but the reality is, no matter who you are, and the champion of the game that Brendon is, at some point in time it comes to an end.
“It’s rare that players get to make the decision on their own terms. Sometimes the messaging can be convoluted and in his way, Brendon just wanted us and the messaging to be honest and open.
“It doesn’t change the fact that it has been fairly tough.”