Dean Solomon's prospects of securing the permanent head coaching role at Essendon have come under intense scrutiny after the club released rare behind-the-scenes footage of him addressing his players following their recent loss to Carlton.
In the footage, Solomon delivers an impassioned message to his team, telling them: "I'm not going anywhere, alright? I'm going to support you blokes, we are playing the right way and it's going to turn."
Solomon instructed the players to feel "bitter" and "dirty" about the defeat, but reassured them they were "going to get to sing that f****** song together" soon. The interim coach, who has been striving to unite the club after the decision to sack Brad Scott, assured the players they deserve success "for what we've gone through."
Questions over transparency
However, the decision to make such footage public has raised questions among AFL commentators about whether it is part of Solomon's pitch to secure the permanent role.
Nick Riewoldt, the AFL great, commented on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters on Wednesday: "So the content of the message to the players is great. I just question, why are we seeing that? Why is that vision making its way into the public sphere?"
When clubs invite fans into their inner sanctum, it is typically applauded, but Riewoldt believed in this case the door was opened too wide.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary suggested it could be a way to bring Essendon fans along for what has been "a rough couple of months."
Media perspective
7SPORT expert Tom Morris quizzed Riewoldt on his hot take, wondering if he was speaking from a "media perspective."
Solomon has not officially stated he wants the full-time job, but Riewoldt questioned whether this was part of his pitch and an attempt to win over fans while subtly putting his hand up for the role.
"I mean, we don't often see that sort of stuff, particularly after a loss," Riewoldt said. "They've opened the doors right up there ... what's to be gained by doing that?"
Morris said the open-access approach was part of "the new Essendon."
"From a media perspective, I watched it because I was interested. I think Essendon fans will be interested. Your perspective is that the club doesn't need to do that," Morris said.
However, Morris admitted it was easier to provide such transparency when you have an interim coach and are not playing finals.
Solomon's coaching credentials
Solomon wanted the top job four years ago and has not ruled himself out of full-time consideration. While his messaging to players has been praised and he has shown promise during games, questions remain about whether he is the right fit.
"He looks like a guy that really wraps his arm around the group and wants to nurture a young group. He's done some good things, pulling levers within games, trying to win games," Riewoldt said on The Agenda Setters.
"(But) he was coaching Tweed Heads last year. That'd be a big leap."
