After a year of drama, injury and disappointment, Essendon now face their second contested board vote in two years.
Voting in Essendon’s election opens on Monday, where new president Andrew Welsh is one of two board members up for re-election.
Andrew Welsh is Essendon’s new president.Credit: Stephen McKenzie
The other is Kate O’Sullivan, who is the Dons’ longest serving board member, having been on the board for six years.
The Bombers have already undergone change on their board this year with president David Barham stepping down to be replaced as president by former player Welsh. Barham’s position on the board was filled by businessman Anthony Di Pietro.
And former premiership player Dean Solomon stepped off the board to become an assistant coach at the club, his position on the board filled by former Essendon and Sydney player Ted Richards.
Since taking over from Barham, Welsh has stressed the need for stability and unity at the club, a position that was made difficult by this year’s captain Zach Merrett unsuccessfully seeking a trade out of the club.
“The last couple of months have been galvanising for the club. People who had walked away from the club for a variety of reasons have re-engaged,” Welsh said.
“Zach’s announcement and the approach he has taken [in stepping down from the captaincy] in seeing a clear direction for the club was important for us.
“We are a members-based organisation and we welcome anyone to apply who thinks they can help the club. Everyone wants to make the club better.”
AFL clubs only hold elections when one or more club members seek to contest a place on the board. Not all clubs hold elections each year, as often the incumbent board members seeking re-election are unopposed.
O’Sullivan, one of three women on the board, is also a member of the Moonee Valley Racing Club and has been active in using that corporate background to help the club divest of their 180 poker machines.
Amrit Singh, a former state organiser for the Australian Labor Party and Victorian leader of the party’s Yes campaign at the 2023 Voice referendum, with a long history in government relations, is among those challenging for a spot on the board.
Other challengers include Gary Vistarini and Luke Maxfield, who both stood at last year’s election. Natasha Foster, who has a long corporate history in risk management and compliance, is also standing for election.
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