I am starting to suspect that is the case.
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Perhaps its an AFL move to keep Hird out.
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Lmfao
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ZZ Are they pineapples?
As we approach the final weeks of the season, I wanted to write directly to our members about where our football club stands, the decisions we’re making and why I remain confident in the direction ahead.
In recent days, Dean Solomon informed me that he would not seek to be considered for the senior coaching position.
This was Solly’s decision and one that he has considered deeply over recent times.
Anyone who knows Solly knows he has always put the Essendon Football Club before himself, and this decision reflects the same selflessness and integrity that has defined his contribution throughout his time at the club.
On behalf of everyone at Essendon, I want to sincerely thank Solly for his leadership, professionalism and unwavering commitment in this role during a challenging period. He has served this club with distinction as our head coach and has made a lasting impact on the players and staff.
Throughout the second half of the season, our football program has deliberately accelerated the development of our emerging playing group. That commitment has seen us field the youngest team in the AFL this season, while six of the ten youngest teams fielded across the competition in 2026 have been Essendon sides. While our win-loss record hasn’t been where we wanted it to be, it’s important to provide context around the strategy we’ve committed to as a football club.
Our list profile reflects that strategy. We have 17 first and second-year players on our list, the most in the AFL, and more than half of our playing list has played fewer than 50 AFL games, the second most in the AFL.
That is not an excuse for where we currently sit on the ladder, it is the reality of our list build.
The encouraging part is that our young players are responding. Over the past three seasons, Essendon has received eight AFL Rising Star nominations, more than any other club in the competition, while players such as Nate Caddy have reaffirmed their belief in the future of this football club through their long-term commitment.
Our list strategy has remained disciplined throughout this period, and it will not change. We head into a highly regarded national draft with a very strong hand, giving us another important opportunity to strengthen our list before the Tasmanian Devils enter the competition. The foundations of our next successful Essendon team are firmly being built.
Our search for the next senior coach continues to progress well. We’ve been extremely encouraged by the calibre of candidates and the depth of coaching experience among the final group, and we will take the time needed to assess them carefully before making one of the most important appointments for the future of this football club.
Appointing our next senior coach is a significant priority, but it is not our only focus. Our next senior coach won’t inherit a football department, we’re building one around them. We have a clear plan for our football program which will ensure we have the right structure, capability and people in place to support our list as it enters its next phase. That work will continue through the appointment of high-quality assistant coaches and football staff, giving our players the best possible environment to develop, perform and succeed. We’re excited to have this in place as new high-end talent will arrive via the draft and player movement period.
As our AFLW season gets underway, we’re excited to see our women’s program continue its growth both on and off the field.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve continued to invest in the program, strengthening our football department with full-time assistant coaches and enhancing our facilities at Windy Hill. These investments reflect our commitment to providing our AFLW players and staff with an elite environment in which to develop, perform and succeed.
I’d like to congratulate Bonnie Toogood on her appointment as captain of our AFLW team. Bonnie embodies everything we value at Essendon and I have every confidence she will lead our program with distinction, passion and strength.
Congratulations also to Maddi Gay on the tremendous honour of representing Australia in the AFLW International Rules match over the weekend. To wear your country’s colours is a special achievement and one that everyone at Essendon is incredibly proud of.
We wish Natalie Wood and her team every success for the season ahead and look forward to seeing our AFLW program continue to grow while representing the red and black with pride.
I’d also like to acknowledge the passing of Essendon legend Greg Sewell. Greg devoted a lifetime to our football club, and his passion, generosity and unwavering commitment leave an extraordinary legacy. Our thoughts remain with his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched.
And finally to our members, I want to say thank you.
This season has tested everyone who cares deeply about Essendon. We understand that, and we know there is still significant work ahead.
What gives me confidence is that our direction has never been clearer. We are investing in our people, backing our players, strengthening our football program and continuing to build our list through disciplined decisions that prioritise sustained success over short-term gain.
Everywhere I go, I meet members who care deeply about this football club, just like I do. While there is understandable frustration, there is also a shared belief that we are building something worth believing in. That belief matters and it drives us every day.
Every decision we make is guided by one objective: building an Essendon Football Club that our members can be proud of. Not just next season, but for many years to come.
Go Bombers.
Tim
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I know they’re just words, but as far as a letter to fans go at this point in time, it was a well put together letter.
Obviously, the hope is to see these word become true… on and off the field,
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Copilot getting to know the CEO better.
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Letter is fine and Roberts has a good business background but whinging about Leigh Matthews was pathetic.
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Not in my view.
Matthews is pathetic. BS to protect BS.
Hirdy summed him up on FC last night.
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Everything the letter said was ok.
What it didn’t say was, at best, subtly telling, at worst, a bit weak on calling out the senior players for letting us down continually.
6.5 / 10
Huge shakeout of the list on its way
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Am I the only one interested in the rest of this season? Including the CEO
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There is a time and place for it. Remember the last time the CEO did something like that, the senior players had a cry.
Just tell the new coach “cut cut cut, dont care who”
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I do remember.
Joke club.
I hope you are correct but I have a bad feeling that it won’t eventuate
I envisage at least 58.34% of 1,3,4,7,11,13,14,16,19,23,32,35 out the door
So 58.34% of
McGrath, Parish, Langford, Merrett, Gresham, Cox, Ridley, Perkins, Gerryn, Jones, McKay, Guelfi?
So 7 of those 12 you think?
I’d prefer 10 or 11 but for contractual reasons I think we are stuck with a few of them
I think there is probably another 3 or 4 that could be added to that list that are very easy list changes too
Can’t see Parish, McKay, McGrath and Langford going anywhere this off-season, but the next 12 months will be huge for them (Redman too).
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If that ‘will arrive’ was intentional regarding the ‘player movement period’ the mind boggles at who he could possibly be referring to.