Changes at Essendon amid ‘genuine tension’

THERE will be off-field changes at Essendon following the completion of the club’s internal review, reports Caroline Wilson.

Wilson said there will be movement beneath senior coach Ben Rutten, who’s position has been assured for 2023.

“The review’s been done… there will be changes,” Wilson told Channel Nine’s Footy Classified.

“The coach is safe, Ben Rutten will remain, there will be movement beneath Ben Rutten.”

According to Wilson, there’s “genuine tension” between football boss Josh Mahoney and list manager Adrian Dodoro.

“I’m told there are still real problems there,” the veteran AFL reporter said.

“We know that Xavier Campbell is still under the pump. There is some genuine tension between Adrian Dodoro, long-time recruiter and list manager, and the head of footy in Josh Mahoney.

“I’m not sure where Blake Caracella is going to be next year, but he also has a rock solid two years left on a highly paid contract.

“He will definitely be in a different role next year if he’s there.”

Essendon great Tim Watson believes there should be tension within an underperforming football club.

“I don’t know anything about that, but I hope there’s some tension there,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.

“There should be some tension at a football club when they’re underperforming between people.

“I think that’s healthy at a football club. There should always be some tension.”

– BY ALEX ZAIA/ SEN