Senior Essendon players ‘losing faith' with high-performance team amid injury crisis
The Bombers have been hit hard by injuries this year, which has prompted a probe into the alarming situation.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Their already bulging injury list grew over the weekend with Jye Caldwell set to under surgery after suffering an ankle injury in the loss to Gold Coast.
The club also ruled out Zach Reid for the remainder of the season after opting to undergo surgery on his troublesome hamstring.
That was the latest in a long list of soft-tissue injuries this year that includes Kyle Langford, Darcy Parish, Mason Redman, Xavier Duursma, Matt Guelfi, Jordan Ridley and Archie Perkins.
Plus there is also the unfortunate season-ending injuries to Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes and Tom Edwards.
But it was a costly Saturday training session during their bye that has resulted in players 'losing faith in the high-performance department', according to Cleary.
'It's my belief that a number of players have led concerns off the back of this Saturday session two weeks ago where they picked up three fresh soft-tissue injuries,' Cleary said on The Agenda Setters.
'Three repeat soft tissue injuries. So Kyle Lankford, Darcy Parrish and Mason Redman off the back of that. And then just last week they picked up the Zach Reid injury.'
Langford has managed just six senior games this year and could potentially be lured away if an offer came.
'It's my understanding that if a club was to come for a player like Kyle Lankford, who has two years left on a lucrative contract at the age of 28, he would look twice at an offer from a rival club, given the frustration that has been stemming off the back of this and the repeat soft tissue injuries they've picked up,' Cleary continued.
'This is not a recent thing. This has been going for some time, but it really has ramped up since that Saturday session two weeks ago.'
Channel 7 commentator Nick Riewoldt said that training session 'raised eyebrows' at the time.
'You think about bye weeks, it's an opportunity to freshen the group up, get players right, get them through another week of the season,' he said.
'What was the nature of the session? Like, what did they actually do?'
Cleary said the session was always planned, according to the club.
'There's been conjecture on whether this session was planned or not. I've spoken to the club tonight and they're adamant that this was always in the diary for them to come back from the bye on Friday, have a light session, then train fully on Saturday,' he said.
'But the rehab guys have been at the club all week. They didn't have a bye week as such. So the club is standing by the fact this has been in the diary for some time. But there has been conjecture from some parts around how hard and how much of this was planned.'
Riewoldt worries about how the club can get the players back onside.
'When player unrest starts to fester around a department of the football club that you rely so heavily on as a player, I mean, you turn yourself over to the football club as a player, don't you?' he said.
'You say, turn me into a machine that can go out and deliver high-intensity football every week. And when it starts to go pear-shaped and the frustration starts to brew, it's very hard to get them back.'
The Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison suggested the club are 'sitting ducks' for rivals to raid.
'It's an obvious pitch, a wildebeest theory. You're going to raid the weak. There's an obvious pitch here that we can get your body right,' he said.
'Sam Draper will be one that will be getting that pitch from Brisbane and others at the moment. The other thing is, how do you pitch a Harley Reid or someone in?
Panellist Kane Cornes said the Bombers are facing the 'biggest challenge of any club.'
'There is some serious problems going on at that footy club,' he said.
'If you're saying that a player (Langford) that kicked 51 goals in 2023 and looked like their most or was their most dangerous forward, he's in the prime of his career, cannot get on the park.
'I mean, Brisbane are saying, well, we've got Joe Danaher, right? Give us an opportunity to get you right, because we think you can be our best forward if they can sell it that way.'
Cleary also revealed the club will spend $1.2m on resurfacing both of their ovals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
6 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Fremantle cult hero Patrick Voss emerges as shock trade target for rivals
Channel 7 commentator Nick Riewoldt has suggested Fremantle's newest cult hero Patrick Voss could be prised away from the club. Voss is enjoying a breakout season for the Dockers, kicking 15 goals from 12 matches. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nick Riewoldt says Patrick Voss is 'gettable'. The 22-year-old key forward is in second year at the club after earning his shot as a rookie during the 2024 pre-season supplemental period. He had spent the previous two years at Essendon but didn't manage a senior game. Voss has quickly emerged as a fan favourite this year with his energy and excitement resulting in a classic piece of commentary from Channel 7's Brian Taylor. He added to his goal tally with another major against Sydney, but was subbed out late in the third quarter with veteran Jaeger O'Meara injected into the game. The move raised eyebrows among fans and Riewoldt was equally surprised before revealing he could be 'gettable' 'I was surprised (he was subbed) because he's been in really good form,' Riewoldt said on The Agenda Setters. 'He's kicked three a couple of times over the last month. He brings excitement. He brings energy. So unless it was specifically around team balance ... I think he's a guy that opposition clubs would look at and think he's gettable. 'My mail is he'd be gettable.' Voss is looming as the odd one out among the Fremantle talls given they persist with the two-ruck combination of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson, while Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss appear certain starters. Treacy leads the club with 30 goals this year, while big things are still expected of Amiss, despite returning just 18 goals to this point. When asked which other clubs could target Voss, Riewoldt offered up Collingwood and Melbourne. 'Well, I think a club like Melbourne. I think even a club like Collingwood where the key forwards are on the older side of it,' he said. 'You could get this young guy in who brings excitement, brings enthusiasm. 'Wouldn't the Pies fan get around someone like Patrick Voss?' Originally from New South Wales, Voss moved to Melbourne for boarding school and played for the Oakleigh Chargers in the under-18 competition. He is contracted at Fremantle until the end of the 2026 season.
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Never play again' - Matthews laments Bruns hit
Leigh Matthews finds his hit on Neville Bruns "repugnant" and says advice from coach Allan Jeans was pivotal for how he dealt with the aftermath. While Matthews' status as a legendary AFL player, coach and commentator is set in stone, he also thoroughly earned the nickname "Lethal". That was never more true than in 1985, the Hawthorn great's last season as a player, when he broke Neville Bruns' jaw in a match against Geelong. Forty years later, it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the game's history. Matthews was charged with assault by police - the only time that has happened in VFL/AFL history - and it resulted in a court imposing a 12-month good behaviour bond. The AFL also deregistered Matthews for four weeks - he was not reported by an umpire - and the incident was a key step for the league introducing trial by video into the tribunal system. "The way football seems now it seemed so repugnant; but even then, it was repugnant," Matthews told the Howie Games podcast. "The aging body and a strong competitive instinct can be a dangerous combination. (It) was a poor year because I was fading as a footballer. "Even in your own sight, you think, 'Why did I do that', and I still haven't got an answer. "I felt unbelievably guilty. I always played very vigorously, but that was the worst thing I ever did. I thought, 'If football can make you do that ... if the person (you are) out there can make you do that, never play footy again'." Matthews said he went to Jeans, the legendary Hawks coach who was also still a policeman that season, for advice. "He said, 'Don't let that be the last thing people remember you by.' It was a terrible thing I did, and I've always believed if you do the crime, do the time. Whatever happened, I deserved," Matthews said. Matthew retired at the end of that season, with 332 games, four premierships and the reputation as arguably the greatest player in the game's history. He was true to Jeans' advice, coaching Collingwood to their drought-breaking 1990 premiership and leading Brisbane to their 2001-03 flag three-peat. Matthews remains in the game as its most respected media commentator. Matthews also broke a point post when he collided with it in a 1982 game against Essendon at Windy Hill. TV commentator Lou Richards reacted with the legendary quote, "Talk about a he-man". Matthews says, "I like the he-man stuff, let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story". But he revealed he did not know about the damage until after the game, when he complained to a club trainer about his sore elbow. "So, don't go telling anyone else the true story," he said. Leigh Matthews finds his hit on Neville Bruns "repugnant" and says advice from coach Allan Jeans was pivotal for how he dealt with the aftermath. While Matthews' status as a legendary AFL player, coach and commentator is set in stone, he also thoroughly earned the nickname "Lethal". That was never more true than in 1985, the Hawthorn great's last season as a player, when he broke Neville Bruns' jaw in a match against Geelong. Forty years later, it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the game's history. Matthews was charged with assault by police - the only time that has happened in VFL/AFL history - and it resulted in a court imposing a 12-month good behaviour bond. The AFL also deregistered Matthews for four weeks - he was not reported by an umpire - and the incident was a key step for the league introducing trial by video into the tribunal system. "The way football seems now it seemed so repugnant; but even then, it was repugnant," Matthews told the Howie Games podcast. "The aging body and a strong competitive instinct can be a dangerous combination. (It) was a poor year because I was fading as a footballer. "Even in your own sight, you think, 'Why did I do that', and I still haven't got an answer. "I felt unbelievably guilty. I always played very vigorously, but that was the worst thing I ever did. I thought, 'If football can make you do that ... if the person (you are) out there can make you do that, never play footy again'." Matthews said he went to Jeans, the legendary Hawks coach who was also still a policeman that season, for advice. "He said, 'Don't let that be the last thing people remember you by.' It was a terrible thing I did, and I've always believed if you do the crime, do the time. Whatever happened, I deserved," Matthews said. Matthew retired at the end of that season, with 332 games, four premierships and the reputation as arguably the greatest player in the game's history. He was true to Jeans' advice, coaching Collingwood to their drought-breaking 1990 premiership and leading Brisbane to their 2001-03 flag three-peat. Matthews remains in the game as its most respected media commentator. Matthews also broke a point post when he collided with it in a 1982 game against Essendon at Windy Hill. TV commentator Lou Richards reacted with the legendary quote, "Talk about a he-man". Matthews says, "I like the he-man stuff, let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story". But he revealed he did not know about the damage until after the game, when he complained to a club trainer about his sore elbow. "So, don't go telling anyone else the true story," he said. Leigh Matthews finds his hit on Neville Bruns "repugnant" and says advice from coach Allan Jeans was pivotal for how he dealt with the aftermath. While Matthews' status as a legendary AFL player, coach and commentator is set in stone, he also thoroughly earned the nickname "Lethal". That was never more true than in 1985, the Hawthorn great's last season as a player, when he broke Neville Bruns' jaw in a match against Geelong. Forty years later, it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the game's history. Matthews was charged with assault by police - the only time that has happened in VFL/AFL history - and it resulted in a court imposing a 12-month good behaviour bond. The AFL also deregistered Matthews for four weeks - he was not reported by an umpire - and the incident was a key step for the league introducing trial by video into the tribunal system. "The way football seems now it seemed so repugnant; but even then, it was repugnant," Matthews told the Howie Games podcast. "The aging body and a strong competitive instinct can be a dangerous combination. (It) was a poor year because I was fading as a footballer. "Even in your own sight, you think, 'Why did I do that', and I still haven't got an answer. "I felt unbelievably guilty. I always played very vigorously, but that was the worst thing I ever did. I thought, 'If football can make you do that ... if the person (you are) out there can make you do that, never play footy again'." Matthews said he went to Jeans, the legendary Hawks coach who was also still a policeman that season, for advice. "He said, 'Don't let that be the last thing people remember you by.' It was a terrible thing I did, and I've always believed if you do the crime, do the time. Whatever happened, I deserved," Matthews said. Matthew retired at the end of that season, with 332 games, four premierships and the reputation as arguably the greatest player in the game's history. He was true to Jeans' advice, coaching Collingwood to their drought-breaking 1990 premiership and leading Brisbane to their 2001-03 flag three-peat. Matthews remains in the game as its most respected media commentator. Matthews also broke a point post when he collided with it in a 1982 game against Essendon at Windy Hill. TV commentator Lou Richards reacted with the legendary quote, "Talk about a he-man". Matthews says, "I like the he-man stuff, let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story". But he revealed he did not know about the damage until after the game, when he complained to a club trainer about his sore elbow. "So, don't go telling anyone else the true story," he said.
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘A bit too much': Willie Rioli's shock revelation after threat ban fallout
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has revealed he almost quit the game after being caught sending threats to opposition players but he's stayed to continue to champion the cause of indigenous players. Rioli was suspended for a game in May and hit with fines after revelations of a social media threat to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale with a further two instances of similar aggression to opponents coming to light. He earned support from Port chairman, David Koch, who suggestion Rioli was subjected to 'culturally insensitive' remarks, which was shot down by the Bulldogs in a war of words between the two clubs. It was putting Port in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and the fallout from the incident moved Rioli to contemplate walking away. 'Definitely it gets to a point where it's a bit too much sometimes,' Rioli told Port's club podcast, Peeled. 'And yeah I have spoken to my manager and the club a couple of times about walking away from the game, which I am not shy to talk about. 'More so ... trying to not be putting any more pressure on the club. Get them out of the spotlight as well, in terms of not have to deal with my issues so much as a person off-field.' Remarkably, Rioli even said he took a 'bit of the blame' for a drop off in indigenous player numbers, a feeling dating back to copping an 18-month suspension for tampering with his marijuana-tainted urine sample while at West Coast. 'I do hold a bit of blame myself a little bit for some of the stuff I have been through, in terms of clubs not trusting Indigenous players,' he said, declaring righting that wrong, and improving perceptions was why he's still playing. 'I felt that was my driver to come back to footy ... be the light in terms of 'we can go through this'. 'I look at the drop in terms of Indigenous players in the competition ... that gives me the motivation to stick around longer, to help the next generation do better than what we are doing or what I am doing. 'I want the next (Indigenous) generation to be better than what we are right now. 'And I want them to have their confidence to make mistakes and not be judged by their mistakes.'
