Essendon shakes up its leadership ahead of new Premier Cricket season
Essendon’s off-season of change has continued with state-contracted star James Seymour taking over the captaincy for 2021-22.
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The Bombers have a new captain.
Victoria-contracted run-machine James Seymour has taken the reins at Essendon from Michael Hill ahead of the 2021-22 Premier Cricket season.
Tom O’Donnell will serve as vice-captain in a new-look leadership group the club hopes will lead it through a season of transition.
Essendon has farewelled four key players from last season’s First XI and decided now was the right time to elevate Seymour to the top job.
The star opener is coming off an incredible season that saw him post 822 runs (second most in the competition) at an average of 91.33 and make his Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup debut.
Bombers president Simon Tobin said Seymour and O’Donnell commanded great respect within the playing group.
“Make no mistake, when he speaks the team and club listen,” he said.
“I don’t know of a cricketer that knows his own game better than James.
“He knows his strengths and weaknesses and he’s single-minded in his thinking about cricket from a personal perspective and as a captain.”
“(James) has already sort to put his own stamp on the playing group and the way we’re moving forward.
“Tom bleeds red and black in terms of his passion for the club and he wants to take on more responsibility and he’s the type of fellow that can lift the other 10 guys with his performance.”
Essendon has lost opener Aaron Ayre and spearhead Matt Doric to retirement, Connor Rutland to Carlton and wicketkeeper Donovan Toohey (year off) this off-season.
Instead of opening the cheque book it will look to bring through some of its talented youngsters to fill the breach.
The Bombers finished 10th last season and Tobin said now was the right time to shake things up and paid tribute to Hill’s contribution.
“We reviewed a lot of things over the off-season and when you’re preparing for a new season it’s like spreading the jigsaw pieces out, then you start putting the pieces together,” he said.
“The worst thing any organisation can do is go down the same path without making any changes and expecting a different result.
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“With the retirement of a couple of our senior guys we looked at all the aspects of the upcoming season and thought let’s look at what else we can tinker with.
“Michael has done a very good job as captain and still offers an enormous amount of experience and advice as one of the best Premier cricketers for the past 15 years.
“We’ve installed James as captain, supported by Tom O’Donnell, and those guys will continue to work closely with Michael.”
Hill will continue to be a key player in the Essendon top order, looking to rebound from a 389-run season without the pressure of captaincy.
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