Dean Solomon makes his case to become Essendon board member

Days after one of president-elect David Barham’s allies questioned the need for football voices on Essendon’s board, ex-Bombers hard man Dean Solomon has outlined why he deserves a spot.

Dean Solomon was a heart-on-sleeve player in 158 matches with Essendon from 1998-2006 and, as such, he is hurting as much as anyone given a lack of red-and-black relevance this century.

During this season Solomon, 44, began thinking of ways to help his beloved Bombers from his northern NSW home where he is the founder/managing director of Salt Movement & Recovery and owner of a childcare centre.

He declared his intent to stand for the club’s board, with voting currently underway before closing on Tuesday, December 17. Results will be announced at Essendon’s annual general meeting on December 18.

Dean Solomon is fighting for a spot on Essendon’s board.

JonAnderson: Why did you decide to put your hand up?

Dean Solomon: I’m like all Essendon supporters, I love this club and it owes me nothing, but it’s time I gave back, and initially that wasn’t necessarily at board level. But I think from my playing and coaching experiences I have a skill set that can help. I will be forever be in debt to the Essendon Football Club.

JA: Does the board require another ex-footballer, a point made by current board member Melissa Verner Green who is up for re-election after eight years in the job?

DS: I don’t want members to vote for me because I’m a past player. I want them to vote for me for what I can bring. The current board boasts a wealth of commercial experience and part of that has delivered us a profit of $400k plus for 2024! Sensational! But vice-president Andrew Welsh is the only member who has spent a considerable amount of time in a football department. Football is our core business so I feel diversity on the board is critically important.

JA: Is the club on the right path?

DS: I like some of the language that is coming out of the club regarding alignment and stability. Let’s be really transparent, let’s share our vision with the Essendon people. We have won the equal most premierships in the competition, let’s embrace that, be proud of who we are, where we are going and most importantly let’s ensure we are doing it together!

JA: I look at the Bombers and see a lack of genuine match-winners, making the departure of Jake Stringer surprising to my eyes?

DS: I don’t know the ins and outs of Jake’s situation but it was reported his standards dropped a little bit, something I can relate to, a lived experience for me as I got traded from Essendon (to Fremantle) when my standards fell. Great clubs set the bar high — you either meet the expectation or you don’t.

Jake Stringer has moved to the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

JA: Is living interstate a problem for a board member?

DS: People could perceive it as a problem but I’m down a lot through my business so the short answer is no.

JA: A couple of Essendon legends bemoan the lack of obvious leaders in the playing list?

DS: Leadership is massive in any organisation. It’s an area I believe I could support and help in. I loved the fact that coach Brad Scott plus Zach Merrett and Andy McGrath went overseas to enhance their leadership.

Dean Solomon in his playing days for the Bombers.

JA: Are you a supporter of current president David Barham?

DS: I’m not here to challenge Dave for his position. I’ve enjoyed listening to Dave’s language about making decisions purely based around “what is best for the club” only! I admire the suggestion of him entering into a succession plan with Andrew Welsh. And if Andrew did succeed Dave then someone would need to take over football governance at board level, something the members need to consider when voting.

JA: Do you look at the models employed by other clubs?

DS: I always analyse sporting clubs and businesses from a far. I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for two Aussie clubs in the Sydney Swans and Melbourne Storm. Both organisations for decades now have made calculated, thorough decisions based on leaving the club in a better place than they found it.

Originally published as Dean Solomon makes his case to become Essendon board member