Essendon’s “deplorable” on-field flaws have been exposed once again this season, as the club continues its hunt for their next head coach after the departure of Brad Scott.
The Bombers’ 14-point loss to North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon now means the club has won just one of their last 28 games — the sole exception coming in Gather Round this year with a large win over Melbourne.
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Speaking to Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night, 287-game Saint Leigh Montagna believes that their game has actually moved backwards in recent times, despite exposing some of their younger talent to the top level.
“It’s hard to say, but they almost regressed on the weekend,” Montagna began.
“They were playing against North Melbourne, and I know North fans were nervous thinking: ‘Gee, this might be one that Essendon can get up for and beat (us).’
“When you looked at the age demographic, they were almost identical. Essendon had 10 players with 100+ games experience, North Melbourne had nine. Both teams had nine or 10 players with less than 40 games experience, so they couldn’t use the age as an issue.
“But, what I saw, is a team that looked completely lost. They don’t know what they’re trying to do offensively (or) defensively. The one thing you should be able to bring — it doesn’t matter how young or old — is your effort. And their pressure was just deplorable.
Essendon confirm panel to select coach | 01:05
“They let North Melbourne, who aren’t the offensive juggernaut of some teams in the competition, to waltz down the field and do as they pleased. I was really, really disappointed with what I saw from Essendon.”
Bombers president Andrew Welsh will lead the club’s five-person coaching selection panel, which features no external football people.
The club announced last Friday that alongside Welsh, fellow board members Ted Richards, Anthony Di Pietro, chief executive Tim Roberts and HR boss Caroline Monzon would be on the panel to pick the new senior coach after Scott’s sacking last month.
It comes after the Herald Sun reported earlier this month that interim coach Dean Solomon was Welsh’s preferred candidate, though Solomon says they’ve had no discussions.
“For Dean Solomon, if they continue to play like this, I think it does his chances more harm than good, obviously. And for Andrew Welsh, if he (Solomon) is the man he wants, it’s going to do more harm than good … if they don’t show any improvement. It was really disappointing,” Montagna added.
“They’re not even on the same page on what they’re trying to do defensively; let alone get it right and win some games of footy. We need to see some massive improvement for Dean Solomon to actually be the number one (coaching) candidate for Essendon.”
The Bombers’ next shot at a rare win comes against St Kilda this Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.