AFL 2022: Bombers banking on external review to reveal in detail where current playing list stands

Not one player in the All-Australian squad and buried in 15th position, it was another poor year for the Bombers. Even the club hierachy admits it doesn’t know where its current list is at.

Michael Long, Simon Madden, Ken Fraser and current captain Dyson Heppell Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon’s list strategy has emerged as a key focus of the club’s external review, with club powerbrokers conceding they were unsure where the Bombers sit on the premiership clock.

Former chairman Lindsay Tanner had expected the Bombers to spend 2020-2022 in flag mode during the twilight years of Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker, David Zaharakis and Tom Bellchambers.

But the departures of Joe Daniher, Adam Saad, Orazio Fantasia, Conor McKenna and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti ruined that assault as the Bombers sunk to 15th this season.

Daniher and Saad walked out on the eve of sacked coach Ben Rutten taking the reins from John Worsfold under the club’s failed succession plan.

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Ben Hobbs look like he will develop into a very handy player for Essendon.

Asked where the list was at, new president David Barham said: “It’s a good question, and something we often talk about.

“We think we’ve got ability, we think we’ve got promise — but that’s something part of the review might (help answer).”

Chief executive Xavier Campbell said: “Clearly, some adjustments happened at the end of 2020, which has shifted our list strategy around markedly”.

The Bombers fielded the second-youngest and second-least experienced team in 2022 as six kids made their debut.

Football boss Josh Mahoney was confused by Essendon’s strategy when he joined in 2020.

“The first comment I made when I was going through the process to join Essendon is I don’t know where we’re at as a club,” Mahoney said on radio earlier this season.

“You want to get to a stage where a decision gets made and all your members and supporters just nod their head and they say, ‘I can see why we’ve made that decision’.

Essendon chairman David Barham and chief executive Xavier Campbell during Sunday’s press conference where they announced Ben Rutten had been let go by the club.

“That just shows that everyone believes the path you’re on. Last year was a lot about just getting a good assessment on our list.

“We weren’t active in trade period deliberately. We just wanted to bring in a role player in Jake Kelly.

“Now we’ve got a good hand on where our list is at and it’s really in a good position to attack the trade period, look at adding some players.

“We aren’t playing anywhere near where we think we can play. It’s not a real assessment of where we’re at as a list currently.”

The Bombers did not have a player selected in this year’s 44-strong All-Australian squad.

But they have struck gold at recent drafts, with 2021 pick Ben Hobbs exceeding expectations and prized 2020 selections Archie Perkins, Nik Cox and Zach Reid all showing promise.

The Bombers have salary cap space and want to splash some on a free agent this year. They also want to retain the No. 4 draft pick.

Archie Perkins is one of several baby Bombers continuing to show improvement.

The board will spend this week locking in the club’s coach selection panel and want to install uts fifth coach in nine years by the end of September.

External experts will be drafted on to the panel and that timeline will position the new coach to settle in before trade period.

But the board upheaval could continue with Simon Madden understood to be considering his position.

Madden, who has been a board member since 2013, was aligned with deposed chairman Paul Brasher and was a supporter of Ben Rutten.

The club great is believed to have been frustrated by the events of the past week.

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Essendon great Simon Madden is understood to be considering his position on the Bombers’ board.

Madden, who has been a board member since 2013, was aligned with deposed chairman Paul Brasher and was a supporter of sacked coach Ben Rutten.

He is believed to have been frustrated by the events of the past week.

Madden’s unease further fuels the factional dispute currently being played out behind closed doors at Essendon.

Essendon board member Simon Madden with CEO Xavier Campbell. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon’s hunt for an experienced coach could see it attempt to prise Ken Hinkley out of his Port Adelaide contract as the spectre of James Hird once again hangs over the embattled club.

The Bombers sacked Ben Rutten after three hours of “rigorous discussion” at Sunday’s off-site board meeting, even though some directors and chief executive Xavier Campbell fought hard to save the 39-year-old’s coaching career.

President David Barham phoned Rutten to tell him his contract had been terminated before calling captain Dyson Heppell, vice-captain Zach Merrett and deputy vice-captain Andy McGrath.