Garry Lyon has revealed that Essendon will hold a crucial board meeting this week, where the club’s direction will be intensely debated.
The Bombers are in transition on the field, losing the likes of Orazio Fantasia, Joe Daniher and Adam Saad in the off-season, while Ben Rutten will coach the side for the first time after John Worsfold departed at the end of 2020.
Having not won a final since 2004 and coming off a disappointing 13th-place finish last year, Essendon will be hoping to see progress on the field in 2021 with one of the youngest lists in the competition.
Lyon said he had received mail that this week’s board meeting wasn’t going to be a routine affair, with an “intensive examination” of the club to take place.
“My mail is there is a very, very big board meeting that is going to discuss the future and an intensive examination of Essendon at board level is to take place this week,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“This is an intense and intensive board meeting and not one of those where you get in there, have a cup of tea and tick off a couple of agenda items.
“This is an intensive examination of the club and where it’s at and where they need to push forward, I’m told.”
New club president Paul Brasher has been an active voice publicly since taking over from Lindsay Tanner last year, consulting with a large range of stakeholders as he looks to reshape the Bombers.
Tim Watson, who confirmed he’s been contacted by Brasher directly, said he was on a “deliberate path” to consult as many people connected with the club about their views on its future direction.
“It wouldn’t surprise me as new chairman Paul Brasher has been canvassing a lot of people around the football club," he said.
“He’s trying to determine where the club is at, he’s spoken to me, he’s trying to determine where the club is at and what they should be trying to do.
“He’s on a deliberate path (to work with everyone), that’s for sure.”