By Jake Niall
Essendon premiership hero Dean Solomon will seek to join the club’s board at the upcoming club election.
Solomon, who played 156 games for the Bombers and was a key member of Essendon’s all-conquering 2000 premiership team, confirmed he would stand for one of two vacant positions on the board to help Essendon in the football performance area.
After a celebrated playing career, Dean Solomon wants to return to Essendon as a board member.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m going to stand for a position on the board,” said Solomon, a tough half-back who played at Essendon from 1998 until 2006 – and in two grand finals – before three seasons playing for Fremantle. He spent one season as assistant coach at the Dockers before a long stint as a Gold Coast assistant coach, including acting as caretaker coach in 2017.
“I have a deep-seated love for this footy club. It’s time for me to give something back ... and help forge a really strong foundation that allows for sustained success.”
Solomon said he was “supportive of the current board” and was “not at all” running against the club’s current regime. He is a good friend of Essendon vice president, his former teammate Andrew Welsh.
Essendon president David Barham is also seeking re-election, along with current board member Melissa Verner Green – which means one of that trio will miss out if all three stand for election. The vote will be ratified at the December annual general meeting.
“I’m here to help – and some of the things which Essendon are starting to do are there to see. There’s a strategy in place,” Solomon told this masthead.
“I want to help our great club get back to what it was when we all fell in love with it.
“Acknowledge the challenge, find and provide solutions, and in unison work bloody hard to deliver the good times.
“That is what this club is all about.”
James Hird (left) and Dean Solomon were assistants when Mark McVeigh (right) was interim Giants coach in 2022.Credit: Getty Images
Solomon also put his hand up for the Essendon senior coaching position which later led to Brad Scott’s appointment. He spent 10 years with the Suns, acting as caretaker coach when Rodney Eade departed late in 2017, but chose not to pursue the permanent role at that time.
Like James Hird, he served as an assistant at GWS briefly in 2022 when their former teammate Mark McVeigh was caretaker coach.
Solomon owns a childcare centre and operates a wellness business, splitting his time between his northern NSW facility and Melbourne, where he has a site opposite the MCG.
Solomon said he felt his experience and skills in the football industry could benefit the Bombers. “My strengths clearly lie in supporting the football program,” he said.
Barham declined to comment on the election, in which adult members can vote. The Essendon board has a policy of not endorsing candidates, including fellow directors.
Solomon’s former coach and Essendon icon Kevin Sheedy is stepping down at the AGM, and 2000 premiership player Dean Rioli left earlier this year.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.