More findings from Essendon’s external review have been unveiled, declaring the club has “lacked unity” off the field, while players weren’t fit enough on it.
And it’s been reported the club will go over the soft cap on football spending, paying the AFL’s luxury tax, to pay out sacked coach Ben Rutten.
The Age reports the football department was found to be fractured with no “shared vision” but the club will ensure it is fully funded next season, even with the $600,000 payout owed to Rutten, which is part of the soft cap.
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Over 130 people were surveyed as part of the review, which is coming out after the hiring of Brad Scott as new coach.
It found player fitness levels were a concern last season as the Bombers started the year 2-10.
“Training standards” will be overhauled including a gruelling pre-season to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
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“The review is clear in its recommendation of the need for stronger alignment of the core functions within the football department,” Essendon president Dave Barham said.
“The areas of coaching, physical performance, player development plus list management and recruitment have lacked unity and a shared vision that is embraced by all.
“Creating a strong and unified football department is a key priority for general manager of football Josh Mahoney and Brad Scott during this off-season period.”
Barham added: “The review also recommended the need to drive higher training standards and to build a better fitness base for our players leading into the season.
“We have accepted this, and our new AFL head coach Brad Scott has committed to a demanding pre-season designed at improving the consistency of our training standards across the entire playing group.”
The club is planning to fill the roles of head of development and head of performance over the coming weeks.
A First Nations director will be appointed on the board.
