Yesterday’s game was so depressing not for the result, as painful as it was, but for the fact Hawthorn schooled Essendon YET AGAIN. Just like Collingwood. Just like Richmond.
Gee, 14 years without a finals win! There is something seriously wrong with the culture (mediocrity), coaching, development program and talent at the club. Essendon will point to the successful recruiting of the S’s and young players who “look the goods”. They’ll talk about interstate wins etc BUT the facts (wins/losses/ladder position) tell an all too familiar story.
- How can a BIG, well resourced club be so poor for so long?
- CEO calls for patience and tells supporters “success” in 2018 equals x, y & z. More corporate speak. More empty words reinforcing the notion this club don’t have the balls to make changes needed to be great again.
- Supporters expect their team to be competitive / competing, yet for season no. 14 they’re once again left feeling numb, jaded at yet ANOTHER empty season.
- And for comparison, Hawthorn - around 14 years ago - set about addressing their period of mediocrity with stunning results. Kennett. Clarkson. Uncompromising characters who DEMAND (at all costs) excellence.
- Melbourne have been just as impressive in a shorter period of time that now sees them as a legitimate challenger.
- Make no mistake, Essendon will continue to be entrenched in this malaise while “nice guys” remain at the helm.
- Oh, there’s alway an EXCUSE why things turn out so bad yet the fact remains - Essendon are and have been for the last 14 years a very, very, very AVERAGE FOOTBALL TEAM.
Worsfold was the right guy to take Essendon out of the massive shadow cast by the SAGA. His best season was 2016 because he had the team super competitive (hadn’t seen that level of commitment from players for years). BUT it’s plain for all to see he’s not a very good game day coach. How some of the simplest of moves are either not made or made too late provides clear, unmistakable examples of a major failing which likely holds this team back from progressing (yes, delusional supporters can only dream).
Let’s see what steps the club take in the off season to turn things around.
- AFL clubs had to declare publicly whether assistants will be required for 2019. We’ve heard from other clubs so it’s safe to assume EFC assistants will be at the club unless they decide to walk or are given new roles (note: once again Hawthorn haven’t sat on their hands with highly respected Ratten given the flick after 6 years, most likely for Mitchell).
- Free agent/s?
- Which off field person/s will X / Richardson bring to the club?
- And how about developing a game plan that suits the list and / or individuals for that matter.
When will this (football) nightmare end!?
