Essendon make an abrupt about-face, order internal review as president declares they can win a flag

Essendon continues to unravel more and more as the season rolls on, leading to president Paul Brasher apologising to fans and ordering an internal review after two of their stars were seen fighting in a heated on-field clash on Sunday. 

Brasher has also sensationally declared the club expects to be fighting for a flag within three years despite the awful results and internal fighting this season.

‘Yes, we certainly don’t want be 2-9, you will definitely see an improved performance in the second half of the year,’ he said on SEN Breakfast.

‘But it hasn’t changed my faith that we have a team that in the next two to three years can be a premiership team.’

Essendon player Darcy Parish remonstrates with captain Dyson Heppell at quarter time of their game against Port Adelaide on Sunday

Captain Dyson Heppell and star midfielder Darcy Parish were seen clashing at quarter time in their 16-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday in a worrying sign for fans. 

It was a heated confrontation between two of the team’s top players as Essendon were left sitting 16th on the ladder – but former Bombers skipper Brendon Goddard took nothing but positives out of the stoush.

‘It’s good to see (Parish) do it because it’s probably not in his nature,’ Goddard said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

‘He’s quite a bit of an introvert and I’d say it’s not natural for him to do that, in terms of having strong conversations with people. I thought it was great.

‘Obviously, I’ve been part of it in the past, but when teammates are playing in a game of sport like football that’s a highly competitive, emotional thing, there’s going to be some discussions that are had that are urgent, that sometimes look over-aggressive. But that’s just what happens.’

Essendon president Paul Brasher has confirmed the club will conduct an internal review

Essendon president Paul Brasher has confirmed the club will conduct an internal review 

Brasher announced the review just three weeks after using a pre-match address to deny the club would bow to pressure and order a full-scale investigation into their footy department.

‘We are looking at every element of the football program. The actions that come out of this review are likely to be incremental in terms of additional resources, rather than transformational,’ he said, flagging that there wouldn’t be wholesale changes.

Another frustration for Bombers fans is the four-year extension of CEO Xavier Campbell’s contract despite the poor results, which has irked many diehards. 

Bombers CEO Xavier Campbell recently had his contract extended for another two years despite the club's struggles

Bombers CEO Xavier Campbell recently had his contract extended for another two years despite the club’s struggles

‘The board unanimously agreed to extend Xavier’s contract because we believe that he is the best person to provide the stability that we need and to lead us through this next stage of our five-year strategic plan, including football success,’ Brasher told members. 

The Bombers have been blasted for their lack of defensive accountability this year, with Fox Footy pundit David King saying ‘they embody everything a failing football club is’ on First Crack.

Dylan Shiel and Mason Redman have previously been seen arguing on the field, which was noted as an ominious sign at the time.

Ex-Essendon star Brendon Goddard thought an on-field debate at his former club showed good passion

Ex-Essendon star Brendon Goddard thought an on-field debate at his former club showed good passion

Essendon coach Ben Rutten has won just one game this season

Essendon coach Ben Rutten has won just one game this season

Essendon were more competitive in that game against Port Adelaide, and coach Ben Rutten said the side needed to have honest conversations with each other in order to get better. 

‘I think that’s certainly what I want to encourage amongst our guys. There’s enough level of relationship, trust, connection there that we’d be really confident it’s done in the right way,’ Rutten said after the game on Sunday evening.

‘I think it’s important for us to be having those conversations. It’s problem-solving live, in the heat of battle.’

Judging by Brasher’s comments, Rutten’s position as head coach isn’t in doubt at all, but the former Crows legend will certainly want to improve on his 1-8 record this season if he wants the job long-term.

Essendon great Tim Watson has questioned the direction of the club

Essendon great Tim Watson has questioned the direction of the club

Garry Lyon and former Essendon great Tim Watson were highly critical of the club’s abrupt about-face on SEN Breakfast, acknowledging they understood why Bombers fans would be so ‘disenfranchised’ with the club.

‘Obviously you’ve got other areas, you’ve got recruiting and list management, all those things there, but when Paul Brasher came into the job a couple of years ago he looked at all of this,’ said Watson.

‘He did an examination himself. I remember talking to him about it. Less than two years down the track they’re having another examination of all the things that the same people have examined.’

Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell leads his side out on Sunday afternoon against the Power

Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell leads his side out on Sunday afternoon against the Power

‘So we’ve decided we’re going to review all of this, the footy department, the recruiting and the coaching, which has been put in place by the CEO amongst others, yet we’ve reappointed the CEO and we’re very happy with that job that has been done,’ Lyon added when addressing the decision to extend Campbell’s contract.

Essendon have the bye this week, before they have a run of somewhat winnable games against Carlton, St Kilda, West Coast and Sydney.  

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