Bombers pull trigger on John Worsfold’s No. 1 man, telling us the coach needs help

THE cull at Essendon has begun and it’s likely it won’t stop at Mark Neeld. MARK ROBINSON writes after the Bombers’ decisive action, maybe John Worsfold’s position isn’t assured.

Bombers coach John Worsfold with Mark Neeld. Pic: Getty Images

THE cull at Essendon has begun and it’s likely it won’t stop at Mark Neeld.

Neeld was sacked as game performance coach — he was effectively John Worsfold’s No.1 lieutenant.

He was sacked because as chief strategist, the Bombers struggled to form any consistent strategy for most of this season.

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It is disappointing for Neeld, but it was a bold and right call from the Bombers.

The Bombers are 2-6 after eight rounds and the laughing stock of the competition.

Something had to give.

Sacked as Melbourne coach before finding redemption at Essendon, Neeld would feel dreadfully aggrieved, possibly believing he was the scapegoat for Essendon’s lacklustre performances this year.

The Bombers believe John Worsfold needs more support. Pic: Getty Images

After all, the buck always stops at the senior coach.

Worsfold’s position is also not assured.

Contracted for a further two years after this one, Worsfold has 14 games to convince the decision-makers at Essendon he is the coach to lead the build to the next premiership.

It’s possible he only has four games.

They play Geelong, GWS, Richmond and Brisbane at the Gabba. Four losses would make it 2-10 and if the Bombers are prepared to hold Neeld accountable for his performance, then they should also hold Worsfold accountable for his.

The decisive decision on Neeld gives us a clear understanding the club doesn’t have full confidence in Worsfold.

Worsfold is a considered and respected person, but his employers, led by head of football Dan Richardson and chief executive Xavier Campbell, believe he needs coaching assistance.

It’s why they sacked Neeld and will be looking at replacements at the end of the season.

Already, football analyst Craig Jennings, who previously worked at Essendon and who is now at Melbourne, has been mentioned as a person of interest, not in a criminal way of course.

Although considered left-thinking with his ideas, Jennings’ knowledge of the game is said by smart minds to be elite. So much so, there’s also been a debate about whether he could be a senior coach.

The Bombers are in disarray on the field and were fractured off it.

There was a feeling at Essendon that Neeld, Worsfold and Rob Harding, who is the game intelligence and opposition strategy coach, had circled the wagons in terms of team strategy and that the line coaches had been somewhat shut out.

Neeld won’t be replaced at present, instead the line coaches will be welcomed to contribute.

The Bombers described the assistants as “being more empowered in their roles’’.

“This is an opportunity for John and the performance coaches to create greater clarity and alignment in the brand of football we want to play,” Richardson said.

Mark Neeld won’t be replaced. Pic: AFL Media

“We also believe this is an opportunity for our coaches to develop, be more empowered in their roles, and have greater input into the strategic direction of the team.”

The sacking of Neeld is not part of an official review of the coaching department, but the Herald Sun understands there has been ongoing examination of tactics and protocol in the coaches box, which was brought to head after the loss to previously winless Carlton on Saturday.

The Neeld departure is the first major change at a club confronting the reality they are a long way from being premiership contenders under the present regime.

Worsfold’s position is intriguing.

Re-signed on the eve of the season for a further two years, it’s understood there are contract clauses which would minimise any payment if Worsfold if he was sacked.

The clause was another smart decision by the Bombers because two of their past three coaches — Matthew Knights and James Hird — had contract payouts and the Bombers better protected themselves this time round.

After yesterday, surely Worsfold would be feeling a little unsettled.

His only option is to lead and lead strongly. No more listening to Neeld, no more blaming the players and no more bewildering press conferences, such as Saturday’s, where it appears he doesn’t have the ideas nor an answer to what his team stands for.

This team needs a coach who will to identify the problems and fix them and fix the morale, spirit and commitment to each other so this season is not a total wipe-out.

Because if it is, it’s a problem for Worsfold, because the Bombers have already showed they will be ruthless.

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