AFL 2022: Essendon review finds lack of unity and training, fitness failures

After 18 years without a finals win things are set to change at the Bombers, with pain set to be felt on the training paddock – and fresh faces on the board.

Essendon is on a mission to improve its culture and fitness levels after an external review found the club’s football department lacked unity across all facets.

The Bombers have released more key findings from the review, which highlighted the key need to establish greater alignment across the core functions of the football department under new coach Brad Scott for 2023.

The club also wants to restore its strong Indigenous ties and will appoint a First Nations board member in a “long overdue” move as part of a wider board refresh.

The club confirmed additional board positions will be announced in coming weeks.

A gruelling pre-season is also in store for the players this summer, with the club’s fitness program and “training standards” set to receive a huge overhaul to better prepare the Bombers.

Players’ fitness levels were an area of concern for the club last year as they made a terrible start to the 2022 season and then tweaked the program in a bid to play catch-up.

Surveying more than 130 people, the review identified the need to create a more unified environment to maximise the players’ potential and “set the right culture”.

Newly-appointed Essendon coach Brad Scott with president David Barham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Essendon president David Barham said the club wants the coaches, fitness staff and recruiting department to work hand-in-hand as part of a new era at the club after 18 years without a finals win.

He said the Bombers needed change to become a “stronger and more unified” club.

“The review is clear in its recommendation of the need for stronger alignment of the core functions within the football department,” Barham said.

“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.

“Creating a strong and unified football department is a key priority for general manager of football Josh Mahoney and Brad Scott during this off-season period.”

Essendon’s training standards and fitness program have come under fire. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sean Murphy is currently Essendon’s head of fitness but changes to the structure of the football department are in the works.

A head of development and head of performance are new roles which will filled in the next few weeks.

The Bombers said fitness was a big issue.

“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,” Barham said.

“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.”

The club has engaged an external company to help find its new chief executive.

Brisbane Lions’ boss Greg Swann is the frontrunner as the club strives to climb up the ladder and improve connection with its membership base with specific member initiatives and greater player and coach access next year.

Barham said the club also wanted to bolster its ties with Indigenous Australia.

Essendon will welcome father-son prospects Alwyn Jr and Jayden Davey to the club in the draft, and are interested in Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s return from retirement.

“We need to do more to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and expertise at all levels of the club, including at board level,” Barham said.

“We will soon be appointing the club’s inaugural First Nations board director. This is an important step for Essendon and, quite frankly, long overdue.

“This director will lead the board’s nationally focused Indigenous subcommittee to provide leadership on cultural safety and oversee our new Indigenous development program.”

The club engaged Ernst and Young to drive the review along with ex-Hawthorn and Melbourne great Jordan Lewis and former Western Bulldogs’ coach Brendan McCartney.

The review does not name specific individuals and focused on behaviours and aspirations. The Bombers paid tribute to the hard work of previous staff, coaches and executives.

Originally published as AFL 2022: Essendon review finds lack of unity and training, fitness failures