Updated ,first published
Former Essendon president Lindsay Tanner has urged the club’s supporters to unite behind the club following the appointment of Mark McVeigh as the Bombers’ new coach.
In a comment made before the board ratified McVeigh’s appointment Tanner, who led the club as president from 2016 until 2020, called for unity and highlighted the thorough process that Essendon had run in searching for a replacement for Brad Scott.
“I urge all Bombers supporters to unite behind our club, team and new coach,” Tanner said, in a statement to this masthead.
“The club has run a rigorous and exhaustive coach appointment process and now we must all bond together to drive the Bombers back up the ladder.”
Tanner’s appeal for unity was crafted before it was reported that McVeigh was to make a presentation to the full board and was made irrespective of which of the final four candidates was hired.
The comments of the former federal finance minister followed widespread debate and division within Essendon’s fan base, especially on the question of whether ex-coach and champion James Hird should return as coach.
Hird, who expressed disappointment at missing out on a third stint as Essendon coach, is a longstanding friend of McVeigh.
He congratulated McVeigh saying he was proud of his friend.
“From a personal point of view though, it’s very disappointing,” Hird said on Nine’s Footy Furnace.
“Yeah, I’m disappointed, put my heart and soul into the effort, but obviously fell short and that’s the way it goes.”
Long-time member Brett Crabtree had threatened to force a board spill if Hird was not appointed. Scott’s tenure was destabilised from the beginning when legendary coach Kevin Sheedy, who was on the board when Scott was appointed, said Hird was his preferred choice.
Tanner, who led the club through the crisis of the year-long suspensions of the then 34 current and former players for doping offences by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is a good friend of his predecessor, the billionaire businessman Paul Little, a strong supporter of Hird in his bid to return as senior coach.
McVeigh, who has signed a three-year deal, beat Hird, Jaymie Graham and Murray Davis to the job. In a message to Essendon fans he declared: “It’s so good to be home.”
The former Bomber was the only candidate to make a final presentation to the board. He will relinquish his role as a Sydney assistant coach as the Swans try to resurrect their campaign following the club-imposed, season-ending suspensions to Isaac Heeney, Riley Bice, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey and James Jordon.
“We’re not looking backwards, we’re building the next great era of this football club. That’s not built on promises. It’s built on our standards, our actions and the work we put in every single day,” McVeigh said in a statement.
“There’s genuine talent on this list, particularly in the emerging group, but talent alone doesn’t get you where you want to go. Our job is high standards, real connection, and total clarity on how we want to play and what it means to pull on the red and black. What excites me is what this group can become together. Our job as coaches is to build an environment that gives them every chance to get there.
“I want us to be brave. Aggressive with the ball, relentless without it, and a defensive system our players trust. When people watch Essendon play, there should be no confusion about what we stand for.
“Pre-season will be demanding. We’re establishing our standards from day one, physically, mentally, technically. There’ll be a real emphasis on competing hard and building our game model together, so every player knows exactly what’s expected of them before a ball is bounced.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
Dons president Andrew Welsh said the board’s decision to appoint McVeigh was unanimous.
“We are building the next successful era for Essendon, with a view to playing finals, winning finals and competing for premierships. Mark is the best coach to take us forward to achieve that,” Welsh said.
“Mark was clearly the best candidate for what this role demands. He’s developed emerging talent throughout his coaching career, and he connects with younger players in a way that matters for a list at our stage. His game plan is built for the modern game, quick ball movement, adaptable structures, and it’s suited to where this competition is heading.
“He’s coached at multiple high-performing clubs and played and coached under high-performing coaches, so he knows exactly what it takes to build a winning environment. Everything he presented to us aligned with the strategy this board has already set. We weighed every candidate against what this role actually demands, and Mark was the clear standout.”
McVeigh played 232 matches at Essendon after being chosen with pick No.9 in the 1998 national draft. After retiring in 2012 he moved back to NSW where he became an assistant coach at the Giants, and served as the club’s interim coach after Leon Cameron stood down in 2022.
He coached 13 matches for four wins with his former teammates James Hird and Dean Solomon in the coaches’ box alongside him. He then moved to the Sydney Swans, where he coached as an assistant under John Longmire and Dean Cox.
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