Brownlow Medallist’s warning to Essendon players ahead of new era
Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel has warned Essendon’s players to show up in shape and with no off-season rust, with new coach Mark McVeigh now at the helm.
McVeigh and Bartel worked together at GWS when the former was an assistant and then interim coach in 2022, while the latter served on the board.
Newly appointed Essendon coach Mark McVeigh has already finished up at Sydney. Getty Images
The 2009 Brownlow Medallist believes McVeigh will immediately set high standards at Tullamarine.
“I’ll tell you a couple of things Essendon players, I wouldn’t want to come back out of shape if I was you,” Bartel told 3AW on Friday night.
“You want to be ready to get to work. This guy drives a high, high standard and I know that’s always been the topic of discussion around recent times around Essendon.
“I know that’s been a discussion around Essendon in terms of standards and prep to play and all that sort of stuff.
“You’d want to be ready to go first day for Mark McVeigh. He’s strong in his convictions and he drives a high standard.”
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd has hope that his old side can show quick improvement in 2027, looking at the success Josh Fraser has had with Carlton’s list since taking over.
“I’ve never thought the list was that bad. Now it’s on Mark’s shoulders to come in as a coach and try and improve some of these guys,” Lloyd said.
“Like, I look at what Josh Fraser has done at Carlton. The list manager Nick Austin lost his job and there were question marks on the list and he must be sitting back going ‘my list wasn’t that bad’ because players have improved under Fraser.
“The club hasn’t been aligned. The players will play better if the club can get itself in order across every aspect of the club.”
Essendon will likely lose six-time best and fairest winner Zach Merrett in the trade period, but will get back star midfielder Nic Martin from a torn ACL.
The next big question for the Bombers is whether James Hird returns to the club, after he missed out on the coaching role.
Both parties have left the door open to reunite in some capacity, but Lloyd wonders if both McVeigh and Hird would be better off working at separate clubs in 2027.
“I don’t know if Hird will return,” Llyod said.
“James has mentioned he’s spoken to a few clubs. He and McVeigh are close. He’s got to decide whether he should go for a fresh start, a clean break and go somewhere else.”
It’s the second time Hird has applied for the Essendon coaching role since departing the club in 2015, and the second time he has fallen short after losing out to Brad Scott in 2022.
