Essendon hailed the “football credentials” of former Premiership winner Carlton Robert Walls after asking him to help the Bombers find their next manager.
A longtime antagonist of Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy, Walls will join a subcommittee that also includes four-time premiership Hawthorn player Jordan Lewis, netball legend Simone McKinnis and club chief football officer Josh Mahoney, who will chair the panel.
The six-person subcommittee was confirmed by new club president David Barham, who took office during a turbulent week that began on Sunday when manager Ben Rutten was sacked with a year to continue his contract and general manager. Xavier Campbell resigned.
“Today I am delighted to share with you the details of our coaching subcommittee and the structure of our club’s external audit. I said we will be bold, decisive and act quickly, ”Barham wrote in a letter to the members.
“Today we are announcing the six-person subcommittee that will lead the appointment of our next AFL senior manager, as well as announcing our full external review of the club.
“The coaching panel is a diverse and talented group that will consist of our Chief Football Officer Josh Mahoney (President), Robert Walls, Jordan Lewis, Simone McKinnis OAM, Andrew Thorburn and Club Manager Dorothy Hisgrove.
“Josh Mahoney will chair the committee as our club’s head of football. Josh has over 20 years of AFL experience. Being a Premiership player himself, Josh is well positioned to provide his unique perspective on the coaching process, having previously been a member of the selection committee that named Simon Goodwin, the winning Melbourne Premiership coach.
“Robert Walls’ footballing titles are yours alone. A three-time premier and winning coach, Robert will bring a wealth of experience from over 50 years of involvement in the game. Robert was on the coaching committees that appointed Rodney Eade in Sydney and Ross Lyon in St Kilda.
Barham said Lewis, who finished his playing career in Melbourne, would bring a “modern goal” to the committee as well as the experience of being coached by Alastair Clarkson, who shunned the Bombers in favor of North Melbourne.
He said McKinnis, who coached the Melbourne Vixens for two premierships, was a “highly qualified leader”.
The panel will be completed by former NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn and business leader Dorothy Hisgrove.
“The coaching process will be thorough and rigorous. This is a well-accredited group of people who all carry different and unique skills, ”Barham wrote.
“I have been clear that we cannot continue evaluating ourselves and this external review is essential to the success of the club in the future.”
The club will also initiate a “comprehensive, robust and integrated” external review of the club’s operations and football. .
“We will leave no stone unturned in this process,” Barham said.
“We are committed to making the necessary changes to offer our club the next role as AFL Premier.”