Essendon president Dave Barham has written to members to inform them of the results of the club’s external review.
The Bombers – with Barham fresh at the helm – initiated an external review after the end of the home and away season. The club has since engaged Brad Scott as senior coach and brought in Travis Cloke and Michael Hurley to its football department.
The review found players and staff are committed to the club and enthusiastic for change, although Barham also detailed several areas where the club needs to improve.
President Dave Barham provides an update on the club's external review.
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) October 24, 2022
One was training standards.
“The review also recommended the need to drive higher training standards and to build a better fitness base for our players leading into the season. We have accepted this, and our new AFL Head Coach Brad Scott has committed to a demanding pre-season designed at improving the consistency of our training standards across the entire playing group,” Barham wrote.
Another aspect mentioned by Barham related to alignment within the football department. Essendon was plagued by several rumours of factions within the club’s football department throughout 2022, and the Bombers will move to create a blank canvas for 2022.
“The review is also clear in its recommendation of the need for stronger alignment of the core functions within the football department. The areas of coaching, physical performance, player development plus list management and recruitment have lacked unity and a shared vision that is embraced by all,” Barham stated.
The president added this was a priority for Scott and head of football Josh Mahoney over the off-season.
Essendon will also have two new jobs in its football department, with the Bombers now advertising for a GM of performance and a head of development. The VFL coach will also now be full-time.
Outside the football department, Essendon will soon appoint its inaugural First Nations board director in a move Barham described as “long overdue”.
And in what could be a hint to board member Kevin Sheedy – who broke club ranks to declare his support for James Hird after Scott’s appointment – Barham suggested there could be changes at the highest level.
“It is also important that we continue to evolve as a Board and progress the Club forward. To do this, we will continue to refresh our Board positions and look forward to announcing additional positions in the coming weeks,” he stated.
Barham also made mention to improving the leadership capabilities of the Essendon players.
Just weeks ago Barham was reported to be in the firing line from his own board, but the Essendon president – who has been in the job a little over two months – appears to have survived.