Essendon’s Leadership Changes and Future Ambitions
Ousted Essendon coach Brad Scott has opened up about several key moments during his tenure, including the club’s consideration of trading Zach Merrett to Hawthorn and a potential massive contract offer for West Coast star Harley Reid. In his first interview since being dismissed as the Bombers’ coach, Scott expressed his belief that the team is still a few years away from becoming a competitive finals contender.
The decision to sack Scott came as a surprise, but he acknowledged it was due to the increasing pressure caused by Essendon’s poor performance. This revelation highlights the challenges faced by the club in recent seasons, with Scott emphasizing the need for long-term development rather than quick fixes.
Scott’s comments were made at a time when former Essendon coach James Hird confirmed his interest in returning to the role as Scott’s successor. Hird told Nine’s Footy Classified, “If I am the best man for the job, yes, I would love to do that job.” This statement has sparked discussions about the future direction of the club and the potential return of Hird, who previously led Essendon from 2010 to 2015.
The Merrett Situation
Essendon president Andrew Welsh, who played a key role in blocking Merrett’s trade to the Hawks last year, remains firm in his stance that the Bombers “won’t be pushed around” despite their current struggles. However, Scott revealed that the club had considered letting Merrett go, stating, “I didn’t think he was being selfish. He had been promised things over and over again, and he was at his wits’ end.”
Merrett, who is expected to seek an exit at the end of this season, confirmed his strong relationship with Hird, describing him as a great mentor. “He’s been a great mentor and someone I can always confide in,” Merrett said. While the possibility of Hird returning as coach remains speculative, Merrett noted that it’s “just such a good one for headlines.”
The Impact on the Team
Merrett also reflected on the whirlwind events of the past 24 hours, including the death of fellow former Essendon captain Neale Daniher. He expressed uncertainty about his own future, stating, “I can’t — I woke up this morning assuming Brad was coach. I don’t think it’s the right point in time to have that conversation.”
Welsh reiterated that the Bombers expect Merrett to see out his contract to the end of next season. Merrett found out about Scott’s sacking by chance, hearing the news from a fellow customer at a cafe near the club’s Tullamarine headquarters. “These things obviously get out quickly,” he said. “You want to think about yourself, but it’s a team sport.”
Contract Offer for Harley Reid
Scott also spoke about reports that Essendon considered a 10-year, $22 million contract offer for Reid, a Victorian native. “Harley is an incredible player, and I don’t think Essendon were the only club that was very interested in trying to lure Harley back to Victoria,” he said. However, Scott emphasized the importance of building the team sustainably rather than relying on a single player.
“If we’d done that, for instance, we would’ve traded all our picks, so there’d be no [Nate] Caddy, there’d be no [Isaac] Kako, there’d be no [Dyson] Sharp, [Sullivan] Robey or [Jacob] Farrow, but we’d have Harley. I just didn’t think we were at the stage where one player was going to make the difference.”
Looking Ahead
When asked how long before Essendon would be a competitive team in the finals, Scott replied, “It’s probably a couple of years away.” While the sacking surprised Scott, who had a year left on his contract, he understood the decision due to the pressure on the club.
Scott also denied any rift with Dean Solomon, who will take over as interim coach. “We get along really well,” Scott said. “He’s a rock-solid Essendon person.”
Welsh emphasized that the club is not looking to bring back “old Essendon” figures, stating, “I hear a lot around ‘old Essendon’, ‘new Essendon’, ‘boys club’. I look at other clubs that, respectfully, Sam Mitchell’s gone back to Hawthorn and is doing an amazing job.”
