Essendon boss apologised after independent investigation

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell was subjected to an independent investigation for “behavioural issues” at a Christmas party.

Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti quit the club on Friday. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell was subjected to an independent investigation for “behavioural issues” at a Christmas party, which later led to him apologising to staff.

In a statement to The Weekend Australian on Friday, Bombers chairman Paul Brasher said the 2014 episode was investigated by an independent legal firm and a detailed report was provided to the board.

New Essendon board members have since been informed of this episode of behaviour involving women.

The Weekend Australian understands Campbell took time away from the club, then returned to address staff in late January 2015 and apologised for his behaviour.

“The club followed its workplace complaints procedures to investigate a behavioural matter over seven years ago,” Brasher said.

“This involved the engagement of an independent legal firm to oversee the process and a detailed report was provided to the board of directors.”

“All parties were engaged in the process and the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of all parties at the time. The board at the time was fully informed along with any new board members who have joined since.”

“Actions at the time included Xavier Campbell addressing staff and apologising for his conduct at the event.

“The board recently made the decision to extend Xavier’s contract because he is considered to be the most suitable leader to drive the next stage of our organisation’s strategic agenda.”

Campbell’s two-year reappointment had angered some high-ranking Bombers fans, as frustration grows around the team’s onfield performance, with the club currently holding 16th spot on the ladder.

Essendon have not won a final in 20 years and on Friday were dealing with the sudden departure of cult-hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

The Weekend Australian has learnt McDonald-Tipungwuti is upset by his treatment by the club hierarchy and it is understood he has felt inadequately supported as he has struggled with fitness issues recently.

Essendon officials were understood to be in crisis talks with McDonald-Tipungwuti to get him to stay on Thursday but they failed. It is understood he addressed his teammates at 9am Friday to tell them of his decision.

McDonald-Tipungwuti’s situation raises issues around the care for the welfare players of colour in the AFL and whether enough is being done across the clubs.

The Essendon cult-hero was living with football manager Mahoney in an effort to get his fitness on track.

McDonald is understood to have felt well supported by Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro and Essendon legend and staffer Mark Harvey.

A source who is close to McDonald-Tipungwuti, who did not wish to be named, contacted The Australian and it was their opinion that the small forward was supported “incredibly well” for the entire run of his contract with Essendon and that the club had looked after his welfare.

Earlier this month McDonald-Tipungwuti launched the Dreamtime guernsey, which he designed, which will be worn in the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G blockbuster for this weekend’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

The small forward, who has struggled for “personal reasons”, has not played at AFL level since round 21 last season when he was cut from the Bombers’ side in a bid to go through a short training block.

McDonald-Tipungwuti didn’t have a smooth pre-season and in February he took time away from the club. His conditioning had been a focus and a concern for himself and club officials.

Eleven days ago Essendon GM of footy Josh Mahoney said that McDonald-Tipungwuti was making progress but his return had also been interrupted by a two-week break with Covid.

“He just wasn’t able to do the training that we need him to do, he’s making some progress but he’s still a bit away from the requirements to be able to perform at AFL level,” Mahoney told SEN radio. “We’ll keep supporting him in that and hopefully we get there.”

While he had a solid season last year, kicking 34 goals at an average of 1.7 per game, a year on Mahoney told the radio station that potentially serious conversations were on the table with the Bombers star to work out what is “the best thing for him to do”.

In August last year McDonald-Tipungwuti took to social media to detail his difficult year after he was the target of racist abuse online following the AFL club’s elimination final defeat.

The Bombers removed a racist comment by a supporter on their Facebook page after their 49-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Essendon also released a statement condemning the abuse and also called out “unsavoury comments” directed at rival Bulldogs players. McDonald-Tipungwuti, who did not play in the last three matches of Essendon’s season, took to Instagram.

“As a society we should never define anyone by the colour of their skin, race, culture or ability,” he wrote.

McDonald-Tipungwuti was born in the Tiwi Islands. He had a challenging start to life after his father died when he was very young and his biological mother, Nola, left him when he was just eight months old.

His gran, who then cared for him, died when he was 10. He struggled and then a woman who he now calls Mum, Jane McDonald, walked into his life and changed everything.

In 2019 he told the Herald Sun that he had struggled with “trust” issues and opened up about having suicidal thoughts.

“For me, trust is a big thing. I’ve been let down so much, that I have real trust issues. I want to be able to trust people — and not think the worst. It is a really negative way of living, it is tiring, and debilitating. The only person that I trust still is Mum.

He spoke about the pressures he faced.

“I have always felt a lot of pressure. Moving from Tiwi. Trying to make it in the VFL. Then the AFL. And there was a lot of pressure from up north to go home.”

While privately, some close to the star footballer expressed concern around his treatment, McDonald-Tipungwuti said in a public statement that he had “loved” his time at the club and was “proud” of what he had achieved.

“The Bombers gave me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of playing AFL,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

“I have loved my time at the club and I am so proud of what I have been able to achieve in my AFL career. I am also proud of my education, coming to Victoria was to pursue my education and that has been really important for me too. The club and my teammates have been extremely supportive throughout my whole career but I feel really happy to be moving on to the next chapter of my life now. I’m ready for life beyond football.

”I wish all the boys the best for their future, I’ll be watching on from afar.”