Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson announced the return of O’Donnell at last night’s Crichton Medal count and it was met with loud applause from the 1200-strong crowd. Essendon's coaching responsibilities will change but the numbers won't with development coach Kevin Morris finishing with the club at the completion of the 2004 season.
""He will give our coaching panel some balance. In cricket parlance you might say we have three fast bowlers and an all-rounder and Gary might come in as the spin bowler,"" Jackson said.
O'Donnell said this morning he was looking forward to returning to Windy Hill.
""It will essentially be an assistant coaching role. We haven't sat down as a group as yet to discuss who will be doing what,"" O'Donnell said. ""I have been at Brisbane for six years and I think the decision I have made will help me make the next decision I make whether that be in coaching or somewhere else in football such as administration.""
""I chose to go to Essendon because they are a good strong club and the I have been there before played a little bit of a part. The opportunity that was put to me by Essendon Football Club was that I thought would open up the next phase of my life so that is why I am heading back.""
O’Donnell played 226 games for Essendon between 1987 and 1997. A hard-working defender / midfielder, O’Donnell played 67 games for the Essendon reserves before cracking it for a senior game. Once in the side, O’Donnell never looked back and in the eight years to 1995 he finished in the top three of the best and fairest on six occasions. In 1993 he won the award.
