Essendon caretaker coach Dean Solomon has revealed he had no idea his name had been mentioned as part of James Hird’s potential coaching dream team, stating that he has not spoken to the Bombers legend about the possibility.
Hird is reportedly keen to return as Essendon’s next full-time coach and has been compiling a list of potential assistants. Among those floated are Mark McVeigh, Dyson Heppell, Hayden Skipworth, and James Kelly. Solomon’s name has also been raised, but the news came as a surprise to him.
“The first I heard of it was yesterday when someone told me at the footy club,” Solomon said on Thursday. “I haven’t spoken to Hirdy about football at all.”
When asked if he would be open to joining Hird’s coaching team, Solomon played a straight bat. “My sole focus right now is with this football club, with these players and staff,” said Solomon, who has kept his coaching ambitions close to his chest. “I can’t look outside that bubble, it’d be distracting for me, and I wouldn’t be doing the right thing.”
Essendon’s Priority Pick Pursuit
Essendon’s board has decided to ask the AFL for a priority pick following the club’s struggles, with the Bombers winning just one of their past 25 games. “The board would have done a huge amount of work in working out the why,” Solomon said. “We feel like we can potentially apply for that. I just think it doesn’t hurt to ask the question to find out.”
Focus on Carlton Clash
For now, Solomon is purely focused on toppling resurgent Carlton (4-8) in Sunday night’s clash at the MCG. “We’ve got plenty of games to go this year. We want to prove something as a football club,” Solomon said. “We want to hit the finishing line with momentum.”
The Blues have won three straight games since Josh Fraser took over from axed coach Michael Voss on an interim basis. Fraser said from the outset he wasn’t interested in applying for the job beyond this season, and his position hasn’t changed despite inspiring wins over the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide, and Geelong. “I do respect the question, but no, I haven’t changed my mind,” Fraser said.
Injury Updates
The Bombers are set to welcome back Sam Durham (concussion) and Mason Redman (knee soreness), but Archie May is set for a stint on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in last week’s 30-point loss to West Coast.
