AFL 2022: Essendon Bombers coaches Ben Rutten, Alastair Clarkson and James Hird take over

as we now know, Clarkson has signed a five-year deal for his former club North Melbourne.

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After weeks of speculation, the four-time premiership-winning coach sidelined Essendon’s late progress to return to Arden Street.

For Essendon, the announcement comes after a tumultuous week that began after Paul Brasher stepped down as chairman, before the club embarked on an 84-point run against Port Adelaide last Sunday. was dried on high.

There were reports Monday morning that Ben Ratten had been fired, but a man known as “Trak” remained in the position.

However, the club tried to lure Clarkson in the 11th hour by pushing the chip to the center of the table.

Rutten has one year left on his contract, but the shift to acquire Clarkson has left his current coach in an untenable position.

Despite the ugly fallout Rutten looks classy and poised as he gets the job done for this weekend’s final home-and-away game..

Essendon’s new president, David Barham, has been questioned about the club’s current position.

Barham apologized for not contacting Ratten on Monday and said the move had caused unrest among the playing group.

But it was the one question Barham was left unanswered that reveals the stark reality Bombers now face after Clarkson chose to go to North Melbourne.

A Channel 7 journalist told Barham after Essendon legend James Hurd left the club in 2015 after receiving a 12-month suspension imposed by the AFL for the infamous Supplement Saga. , asked about the possibility of returning to the club.

“I honestly don’t know what Hardy has to do,” he said.

“No one is talking to Hardy. Does he want to[coach Essendon]? I haven’t asked him.

“How many more hypotheses can we make? It’s like, ‘If 1 plus 1 plus 1 equals 5’.” i can’t answer that. ”

But it was Herald Sun’s Jay Clark who completely cheated Barham.

“Does the club know what kind of coach it needs?” Clarke asked.

Barham: “Yeah, it has to be worked out. That’s part of what has to be worked out on Sunday, a decision that has to be made.

Clark: “No, you don’t know the club?”

Barham: “Um… I think that should be resolved on Sunday.”

Essendon’s treatment of Rutten has been widely criticized by football.

Sports broadcaster Daniel Garb branded the situation “clumsy”, while Advocate’s Alex Fair called it “absolute shambles”.

Footy reporter Ronny Lerner tweeted: Rutten aggressively pursued Clarkson while he was still on the job and subsequently failed to catch their man. I cannot recall a more awkward or undignified situation. I don’t know what to say. “

Former West Coast defender Will Scofield posted: Didn’t they win the premiership this year? ”

ESPN’s Matt Walsh said, “Poor Ben Ratten. His coaching Essendon again in 2023 is like getting back together with your partner after a little flirtation with someone you actually like more. It’s a thing… And everyone knows about it.