Essendon president Dave Barham has stood down from his post with vice-president Andrew Welsh to be promoted into the top role.
Barham’s exit comes amid what has been a rocky off-season so far for the Bombers after captain Zach Merrett held a much-publicised meeting with Hawthorn about a potential exit.
Barham has been on Essendon’s board since 2015 and has been the club’s president since 2022. After describing himself as an “agent for change” upon his appointment, Barham’s tenure saw Essendon overturn its senior coach, CEO, list management and strength and conditioning roles in its men’s program.
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“I have given my all over the past three and a half years and tackled every challenge with everything that I have,” Barham wrote in a letter to Essendon members.
“I took my responsibility to fight for and defend our club, our players, coaches and administrators extremely seriously.
“I’m proud of what we have achieved in transforming the club and making the hard decisions to set it up for long-term, sustained success.
“I have no doubt we are now on the right track, and I leave excited about the future.
“Andrew will be an outstanding president, and it has been a privilege to work with him.”
Andrew Welsh played 162 games for Essendon before his retirement in 2011. (Getty Images: Robert Prezioso)
Welsh, who played 162 games for Essendon between 2002 and 2011, has become a highly successful property developer in his post-playing career.
He takes over having been in consultation with Merrett, who broke his public silence on the meeting with Hawthorn when attending the Brownlow Medal on Monday night.
The 29-year-old stopped for waiting media on the red carpet, speaking for the first time since it became public he was desperate to leave the Bombers after 12 seasons.
Merrett gave several interviews, saying he felt “a bit of shame” and hated upsetting the Bombers fans.
“The Bombers fans are the best in the competition,” he told the Seven Network.
“There’s still things I need to work on to see where I end up.
“It’s a bit of a shame at the moment, I am not there to upset fans, I appreciate them dearly.”
Merrett said he still “feels the love” from Essendon.
“It’s been a difficult time for me and my family when you’re dealing with things largely in the media,” Merrett, who is contracted until the end of 2027, told Fox Footy.
Zach Merrett still harbours a lot of love for Essendon and its loyal fans despite meeting with Hawthorn brass about a potential move to the club. (Getty Images: Morgan Hancock)
“It’s a place that I absolutely adore and have for 12 years.”
Essendon coach Brad Scott, along with Merrett’s teammates Mason Redman and Nic Martin, have expressed serious disappointment about the five-time Bombers best-and-fairest wanting out.
Club great Tim Watson said last week it would be “nigh on impossible” for Merrett to play for Essendon again, given the fallout.
Even if the Bombers do stand strong and refuse to trade the contracted Merrett, he would have to give up, or be stripped, of the captaincy.
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“I still feel like Brad has love for me and support for me,” Merrett said.
“We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks as we work through what’s next for all of us — but there’s plenty of factors at play, and a fair bit of uncertainty as well.
“I’ll go into detail at a later date, but for the moment, right now, I’ll get through tonight, wake up tomorrow and get back to training.
“There’ll be conversations and meetings had away from the media behind closed doors with the appropriate stakeholders, and we’ll see where it lands.”
ABC/AAP