“The other critical piece process-wise is the position of his teammates. In every leadership process I’ve been involved in, the position of the senior players, the playing group is critical to that assessment. That’s a really important piece, the most important piece, a crucial one.
Unhappy at Essendon: Skipper Zach Merrett.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“That will play out in time. Those decisions are usually made between January and February as you head into the season.
“The position of the players at the Essendon Football Club will be critical in that process, as will the senior leaders of the football department, and we’ll deal with that in time.”
The Bombers are also battling to keep contracted defender Jordan Ridley, who wants to be traded to Brisbane after an extensive run with injury.
If the Bombers hold their line, they face the uncomfortable scenario of having two senior players walk back into the club for pre-season unhappy to be there but unable to move due their contract status.
“I have no doubt that if the proper conversations are held and people respect each other people can work together,” Vozzo said.
Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo.Credit: Justin McManus
“Held against your will, that’s an interesting one. I’ve always been very much a players’ person, and I still [am]. On the other side of the fence, you’ve got to understand when long-term contracts are entered, they’re entered for a couple of reasons – to provide security, but with that security, there’s a lack of flexibility that flows with it.
“When players, and this isn’t directed at any individuals, when players seek long-term security they give up a level of flexibility. That comes with that deal, that comes with the responsibility of being one of the club’s highest-paid players.”
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Vozzo, who worked with Mitchell when the pair was at West Coast, was critical of the Hawks coach holding a clandestine meeting with a contracted player. Mitchell had also met with West Coast’s out-of-contract skipper Oscar Allen, who is moving to Brisbane.
“Two club captains this year is an interesting one, one with a two-year contract,” Vozzo said. “I didn’t like that. But that’s life.”
Howe set for preliminary final return
Marc McGowan
Jeremy Howe expects to return from his adductor injury for Collingwood’s preliminary final next week against Brisbane or Gold Coast in a major boost for the Pies.
The star defender, who played in the grand final win over the Lions two years ago, sustained the setback in round 24 against Melbourne and missed last week’s qualifying final victory over Adelaide.
Beating the Crows earned Collingwood a week off, and placed less pressure on Howe, who believes “everything is aligning” for him to play in Saturday week’s preliminary final.
Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe is set for a preliminary final return.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m feeling very healthy, so the rehab process is going really well,” Howe told Nova FM.
“[My teammates] definitely helped me out in that space. It was an impressive performance by the lads. That’s the kind of style that we thought stacked up, and it was nice to get that for the first final.
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“For me, it obviously buys me an extra week to get myself right and ready, and everything is on track so far, which I’m really pleased about.”
Howe said the Pies had a “massive” match simulation session planned for Friday night and that his experience with far worse injuries, including his gruesome arm fracture in 2023, helped him deal with this one.
“I’ve had some traumatic injuries in the past, so when you have smaller ones – little irritable injuries – as frustrating as they can be, you find ways to put a plan in front of you, and move on pretty quickly,” he said.
“Perspective plays a massive role. I feel like even since I’ve had kids, I’ve got priorities where I can be injured, but I still can’t mope around.
“I’ve got to get on with it, and I feel like I’ve been well looked after by the club. They’ve put me in a good place to get after it.”
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