I’m currently reading Ben Crowe’s Where The Light Gets In, and he tells the story of his involvement with Richmond and their remarkable turnaround from rock bottom to a premiership dynasty.
What’s interesting to me are the parallels between Richmond’s low point in 2009 and Essendon’s current predicament.
Their timeline was: Damien Hardwick appointed coach in 2009, Brendon Gale appointed CEO in 2010, Peggy O’Neal elected president in 2013, and then the first premiership of their dynasty arrived in 2017. Eight years from rock bottom to a flag.
Ben’s book lays out the philosophical blueprint for what it truly takes to turn a football club around. While it’s an excellent read, it’s also somewhat heartbreaking because it reinforces just how far Essendon still has to go.
The biggest takeaway for me is that genuine transformation isn’t driven by a single coach, CEO, president, player or draft pick. It’s the result of years of aligned leadership, cultural change, patience, and unwavering commitment to a long-term vision.
