The Debate - What is Essendon doing?.. | The Means Test with Adam Simpson! (13.07.26)
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
We're a long way off it and can only start somewhere and head somewhere. And it's this group that's going to do it. So we spoke about post-game. That's the outcome of a lot of work, a lot, a lot of work. And we've got to get to work. And we have the last three or four or five weeks. We've created an environment that really works on our fundamentals, pressure to unpressure, how do we handle that, learning environment, how do we engage, how to problem-solve, Working on our leadership, there's a lot we're doing, but it's not transferring at the moment. For our members and supporters, we want you to stick strong and be patient and understand that we're in this for the medium to long term and that's how we're going to build it and there is no shortcut here.
But they taught us a lesson and that's what we want to be. That's the outcome we're chasing as well.
So Essendon at 16 girls to one at three quarter time. I thought, oh, you're going to have to lead the show with Essendon again. Been there before. So this is the debate. What are they doing? That's not the remit of an interim coach. Yeah. Everything from the fundamentals to the leadership program. It's like they're trying to reinvent the whole program within season in caretaker mode. It makes no sense to me. Just do small things. Yeah. And be better on the field.
Yeah, it's hard to judge, isn't it, from the outside about what's the plan. When you're an interim coach, I can only assume it would be you talk to your CEO and your footy manager and you say, what would you like to happen with this group? Where do you want to play some of the list management decisions? What style of play are we chasing? Here's what I think we need to do. Here's the three things we're going to go after. I'm assuming that's happened and he's been given direction.
He's doing the whole program.
Yeah. Well, I don't know. But when you're an interim coach and it's 14 weeks, you don't have to play all the kids in the first week. Okay. But- You need to present some direction to the board. We're going to go after these three things. And if it's fundamentals, we want to be more attacking and whatever the, you know, you don't have to reinvent the wheel. I'm not saying that's happened or not, but what are the two or three things we're chasing? That's what the board wants to hear. But what the coach needs to hear, if you're the interim coach, is by the way, You're doing this. You're not the coach. So you need to do this, this, and this, please. And even to the point of the style of play, like you're, you're just filling in.
So, um, you can easily be given direction from the CEO and the GM or whoever's in control there. Who's the alpha at Essendon right now? Who is the alpha?
Why is Essendon’s season being questioned after the recent game?
It can't be the chairman.
You're not at the club.
It is. I'm talking during the week. Yeah. The board and the chairman, they're not there. They're there every three months, you know. And the CEO's not in the footy department. So who's running the show? That's the question, I suppose, Essence supporters are asking.
What changes is interim coach Dean Solomon trying to make within the season?
It's pretty critical to say it's all Dean Solomon's fault. But who's making the decisions there on... Um, the development for this year into next year, you can do some really positive things and you can do a little bit of damage as well. So it's such a long time. My advice would be keep it real tight. We're doing these three things every week and they're the three things we're going to look at. And that's what they might be doing, but we're just not really saying that.
The bit that doesn't make sense to me is if Dean Solomon's not the next coach, then the next coach is going to reinvent the program again. Yeah. So you've put players through three different programs in a really short period of time. That just doesn't... Yeah.
Well, that's what happens when you're 14 weeks.
Pick some fundamentals in the game. But the whole of program idea is just a weird idea in caretaker mode to me.
I think the connection piece is what I'm hearing is his biggest strength. So, and I've spoken to Dan a couple of times and not this year, but I think his ability to lead a group of people and unite seems to be the number one priority.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–2:36
2
Why is Essendon’s season being questioned after the recent game?
2:36–2:53
3
What changes is interim coach Dean Solomon trying to make within the season?
2:53–4:47
4
How should an interim coach balance short-term fixes and long-term plans?
4:47–4:54
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from Whateley
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