Former Melbourne and Essendon CEO Peter Jackson will assist Western Bulldogs men’s program review

The Western Bulldogs have decided to bring in an ex-Essendon and Melbourne CEO to assist with a review of the men’s program following the Dogs’ finals failures.

AFL Western Bulldogs: Club review of men’s program.

Western Bulldogs have backflipped and decided to call in external help to review their underperforming football department.

Chief executive Ameet Bains will run the review, but will seek assistance from long-time Essendon and Melbourne boss and AFL life member Peter Jackson.

The veteran administrator helped North Melbourne appoint Jennifer Watt as chief executive last year and is highly-respected in the football industry.

The Herald Sun understands Dogs No.1 ticketholder Alan Johnstone, 83, urged the club to conduct an external review after its failed season.

Johnstone, who has twice served as a board member and has long been treasured at Whitten Oval for his off-field contributions, was not bloodthirsty but simply wanting his beloved football club to maximise its potential.

It’s understood Bains told Johnstone, and other influential figures angling for an external review, that some rival clubs had paid huge sums of money for reviews and not gone on to be overly successful.

Peter Jackson is set to assist with the review. Picture: AAP Image/Alex Murray

The Dogs believed in an internal review, where they could look each other in the eyes and sort things out.

But on Monday president Kylie Watson-Wheeler confirmed the fresh eyes of Jackson would be brought in.

“Bains will be undertaking an additional process of reviewing various aspects of the administration, operation and integration of the AFL men’s program, the program’s overarching environment and how the club best maximises the opportunities of on-field success,” Watson-Wheeler said.

“This is an important step that will benefit the AFL men’s program, our players and our staff.

“To gain additional perspective, the club has engaged experienced football administrator Peter Jackson to assist with this further process.

“Peter will provide his advice to club leadership outlining his perspective on our men’s program and any recommendations he has for enhancing our AFL team’s future success, which we will consider, and share relevant details of in due course.”

Assessing and potentially improving the environment looms as a critical component amid some whispers of tension at the kennel.

Luke Beveridge and Marcus Bontempelli watch on. Picture: Michael Klein

The Dogs boast what is widely regarded as a top-four list, but have failed to win a final in six of the past seven seasons.

This year they dropped a home game against wooden-spooner West Coast in round 23 to miss finals altogether for the first time since 2018.

Another dismal season would place significant pressure on football boss Chris Grant and coach Luke Beveridge.

But both figures were backed in by Bains and the board following the season.

With captain Marcus Bontempelli at the peak of his powers there is a sense of urgency to cash in and secure a second premiership quickly.

The Dogs collected the AFLW wooden spoon after a 1-9 season with a percentage of 53.8.

But Bains and Jackson will only focus on the men’s program in the review announced on Monday.

Originally published as Former Melbourne and Essendon CEO Peter Jackson will assist Western Bulldogs men’s program review