Almanac Footy: 150 years and 33 Coaches: Who will be Essendon’s 34th?

34. A number that far out-weighs 150, the anniversary year that has been far but celebratory for the Bombers’ this season. After the abysmal and inconsiderate sacking of former coach Ben Rutten who finished up his short tenure on Sunday, the Bombers are now left to determine the 34th coach in the club’s history. 34th and their most important one to date.

 

The club in crisis have an overabundance of earnest decisions that have to be made in conjunction with many troubles that have risen to the surface during last weeks bedlam in which saw, instabilities and major disagreements at board level, player disenchantment and an overall disrespect and disfunction shown when handling one of their own, which all have to be answered to. None more though, then who will be established to catapult the club back to a successful state (that reminiscent of a thought to be bygone era), quell fan frustration and reinstate a once stable and profound football club.

 

While the Don’s bid for 4x premiership, legendary coach Alistair Clarkson didn’t eventuate, the club are adamant the right coach is still out there, albeit experience needed, as expressed by novel president David Barham. Barham stating ““we think we’re after a more experienced coach, we think a more experienced coach might be able to get more out of this list and we really want to give our list the best chance” during Sunday’s press conference alongside now departed CEO Xavier Campbell. The club is yet to specify its directive when noting experience. Do they sort experience had through assistant and reserve positions or senior coaching ranks?

 

 

Rumblings linking Clarkson as a possible candidate replacing Rutten could have been heard as early as Essendon’s 2-9 record during the season. The Bomber’s only coercing a public offer to him in the space of four days, in light of their 84 point loss to Port Adelaide in round 22.  A decision that will continue to be lamented upon as being unethical and imprudent.

 

Time is on their side to make the paramount decision with only a hand-full of names reported to be in the vicinity as possible contenders. If going by Barham, there could be some options, but not many. Names such as: Don Pyke, Justin Leppitsch, Mark Williams, Ross Lyon and Leon Cameron are experienced but whether they want to coach again is yet to be established. Moreover, examining inexperienced types allude to the likes of former Bomber’s Mark McVeigh, Dean Solomon, Blake Caracella or Adam Yze.

 

 

Former Collingwood great and coach Nathan Buckley has already ruled himself out of the position whilst a possible poach of Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley doesn’t seem likely after president David Koch reprimanded the possible rumour, indirectly telling the Bombers ‘they’re dreaming’ during the week. Amongst all the names is one that continues to cast a significant shadow, one that could make a return to the club he experienced the ultimate highs and lows at. One that has in-directly caused an opinion divide regarding is potential homecoming.

 

James Hird’s name has continued to associate with a possible return to the club he once coached, even prior to Rutten’s departure. Hird who commenced assistant coaching at the GWS Giants at the start of this season, has never seemed to leave the Essendon frame, especially now with a vacant position. His reinstatement into the AFL was his first since resigning as Essendon coach in 2015, at the back end of the horrific supplement saga. The contrast of views is adamant on whether Hird’s possible return as senior coach is the right decision for the Bombers with past players and other media names putting forward their opinions. Some feel he cannot return due to the ‘so-called’ stigma and ‘baggage’ he could re-introduce due to the saga, whilst others feel he could help reinstate the current turmoil.

 

Former Essendon legend and captain Jobe Watson echoed his views that he ‘couldn’t see how it could work’ with Hird possibly returning whilst those in the media in Ross Lyon, Mick Malthouse and Wayne Carey have felt his ‘lack of experience’ in the last 7 years since his departure would prove his Achilles heel. Legendary coach and football Hall of Famer Kevin Sheedy has reputedly been in support of Hird’s return, hence seeming evident during his comments made in light of  Clarkson’s offer on FIVEaa radio stating ”I think Clarkson could be perfect moving into North Melbourne,  I wouldn’t be surprised, take ‘em down to Tasmania”.

 

 

Hird is yet to express his position of interest publicly on the matter, in what will seem to shape Essendon’s decision making considerably.

 

All in all, it shapes to be a tireless off season for the red and black with many facets of the club in need of mending and long-hours of deliberation from the boardroom to the players, who have their own issues of culture and club stance that have to be addressed. Captain and spiritual leader Dyson Heppell’s future has been rumoured to be undetermined with those views only heightened with the 30 year old listing his Albert Park home this week, that seeming only the catalyst. Even with all those decisions and work to be done, non-more seem as significant has who the 34th coach will be for the Essendon Football Club.

 

 

References:

 

Bungard, M 2022 ‘Icon’s blunt Hird call after “unforgiveable” stint’, retrieved August 24, 2022, from HERE

 

Cotton, B 2022 ‘“Going around and around”: Bombers boss’ frosty exchange with journo, apologises for “ugly” saga’ 2022, Fox Sports, retrieved August 24, 2022, from HERE

 

Healy, C 2022 ‘“Taking the game hostage”: Clarko reveals why he rejected Dons, GWS… and responds to legend’ 2022, Fox Sports, retrieved August 24, 2022, from HERE

 

Laughton, M 2022 ‘“He’s lost the plot”: Roos “furious”, Dons “disappointed” over Sheedy’s shock Tassie comments’ 2022, Fox Sports, retrieved August 24, 2022, from HERE

 

 

 

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