Essendon’s Search for a New Senior Coach
After three and half years, Essendon is once again in the market for a new senior coach following the sacking of Brad Scott. This comes after a challenging period for the club, marked by inconsistency on the field and internal struggles off it.
Scott joined Essendon at the end of a difficult 2022 season, which saw the club attempt to lure Alastair Clarkson despite already having Ben Rutten as their senior coach. One of the candidates who lost out to Scott was Dean Solomon, who will now take over as interim coach. Meanwhile, James Hird, another candidate, has thrown his hat into the ring for a full-time role, making a strong impression during an interview on Tuesday night.
Essendon president Andrew Welsh made it clear that the club is not going backwards, stating this publicly after Scott’s exit. However, with Solomon and Hird both being closely linked to the coaching role, it remains to be seen if this signals a positive direction for the club.
Welsh’s presidency has already been turbulent, particularly with his decision to hold onto Zach Merrett despite a trade offer from Hawthorn. Despite his tough stance, the football world expects Merrett to eventually move to a different club in 2027. Additionally, Welsh had previously claimed that Scott was Essendon’s next premiership coach, a statement that came just six weeks before his dismissal.
The pressure is now on Welsh to make the right decision regarding Scott’s successor, as this choice will shape how his presidency is viewed in the coming years. It will also determine whether Essendon can truly turn the corner as a football club, as it has often claimed.
Challenges During Scott’s Tenure
Throughout his time as coach, Scott consistently highlighted progress within the club, but these improvements were not always evident on the field. His teams struggled with ball movement and defensive consistency, leading to a lack of identifiable game style and internal growth.
Scott also faced criticism for his selection decisions. He frequently called out players after losses but continued to keep them in the team week after week. For example, Ben McKay, a high-profile recruit, was dropped for a week before returning to face Richmond. Similarly, Elijah Tsatas, the No.5 pick from the 2022 draft, has not been able to secure a regular spot in the midfield despite strong performances in the VFL.
Tsatas has played only three AFL games this season and has not appeared since Anzac Day. The prospect of losing him, especially given his contract expiration at the end of the season, raises concerns about the club’s ability to retain talent. This issue is not new for Essendon, as seen with players like Massimo D’Ambrosio and Patrick Voss, who thrived at rival clubs after being overlooked at Essendon.
Progress and Setbacks
Despite the challenges, there were some positive developments under Scott’s leadership. The club overhauled its fitness staff, recruiting department, and turned over its list at an unprecedented rate. Only 15 players remain from the list Scott inherited at the end of 2022, with more changes expected this summer.
Essendon has shifted its focus to building through the draft over the last three seasons, rather than relying on big-name recruits. While the club has a number of promising young players, such as Nate Caddy, Isaac Kako, Sullivan Robey, and Archie Roberts, it lacks senior leadership among players aged 27 and above.
Of Essendon’s 10 oldest players, only Brayden Fiorini has played in a winning final. The club’s long-standing leaders, including Merrett, Kyle Langford, Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath, Jordan Ridley, and Mason Redman, have all been at the club for over a decade but have yet to demonstrate what a winning AFL program looks like.
McGrath admitted that the players were “a little shocked” and felt “a lot of guilt” after Scott’s dismissal, but the reality is that their performances left the club with no other option. Winning one game in a calendar year is not enough to sustain a coach.
Future Prospects and Coaching Candidates
Essendon has a wealth of potential candidates for the coaching role, with a deep pool of experienced and emerging coaches available. Options include tried-and-tested figures like John Longmire, Nathan Buckley, Ken Hinkley, and Adam Simpson, as well as untried talents such as former Essendon assistants James Kelly and Daniel Giansiracusa, and Saints assistant Corey Enright.
However, the club must be cautious, as no retread coach has won a premiership since 2010. Whoever takes the helm will have a solid base to build upon, with a crop of young players and a likely top-five pick in this year’s draft, as well as the arrival of Koby Bewick in next year’s draft.
The Influence of James Hird
James Hird continues to cast a long shadow over Essendon’s decisions, despite his involvement in the club’s darkest period. Although he had previously avoided discussions about returning, Hird made a passionate case for the role on Nine’s Footy Classified, highlighting his love for Essendon.
Hird insists that he wants the club to run a fair and thorough process, but his presence could influence the pool of candidates. Whether this leads to a positive change or reinforces old narratives remains to be seen.
Essendon now stands at a crucial crossroads. If it chooses wisely and develops its young talent, it may eventually look back on Scott’s tenure more kindly. However, if it falls back on familiar faces, the stories of the same old Essendon may persist.
