As one season comes to a close, we quickly turn our sights to the next, with our playing group to commence its 2020 pre-season campaign in only a matter of weeks.

We are now pleased to launch our 2020 membership campaign – Mighty Moments, Mighty Bombers. Our campaign will showcase how we all experience the mighty moments – players, members and fans.  We invite you to share your memorable moment by uploading your photo here, and you might just see yourself featured throughout the campaign.
 
Memberships are now on sale. Existing 2019 members have started to receive their renewal forms in the mail. 2020 member packs will be posted from mid-November, with member cards and fixtures posted from early January. For those members wishing to make changes to their membership, please contact the club on (03) 8340 2000 or click here to renew now.

In September, President Lindsay Tanner wrote to you to advise of the senior coaching succession plan, with Ben Rutten to assume the reins at the end of the 2020 season from John Worsfold. 

This process has been well documented, but it is the club’s responsibility to consider the short, medium and long-term. We believe this succession will give the club an opportunity to enter this next phase seamlessly with complete buy in and support from our coaching panel and playing group. 

Rest assured, the 2020 season is not a holding pattern. We know we need to build our consistency on-field to match it with the top sides. We will demand hunger, relentless endeavour and greater consistency. But there is a genuine air of excitement and commitment across the whole club for this next phase at our football club. And we don’t lose sight that put simply, our goal is to win premierships. That is what we are building towards. 

The chaotic nature of the 2019 trade period across the industry has now subsided. We are very pleased to welcome both Andrew Phillips and Tom Cutler to our red-and-black family. We went into the trade period making our intentions clear about retaining our playing list while bolstering our ruck and midfield stocks. 

Arriving at Greater Western Sydney via the 2010 rookie draft as a foundation player, Andrew played 14 games for the Giants before seeking a trade to Carlton at the end of 2015. He made an instant impact, playing 16 senior games in 2016 before earning a two-year contract extension in 2017, finishing on 27 matches across four seasons.

Taken at pick No.33 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, Tom Cutler arrives from the Brisbane Lions. After 66 games from six seasons with the Lions and now returning home, the Victorian stands at 192cm and possesses a thumping right boot, aerobic prowess and flexibility across the ground. 

Following the 2018 trade involving key midfielder Dylan Shiel, it was an important requirement for our club this year to strengthen our position in the NAB AFL Draft. Clubs have until November 22 to trade selections, but currently we hold a draft hand of picks 31, 33, 61, 64, 65 and 68.

I wish to also acknowledge the professionalism Joe Daniher has shown throughout this period. We know it has been a challenging period for him as he strives to get back out onto the field fit and firing, but in my discussions with Joe recently, I know he is ready to hit the ground running in 2020. 

He will continue to be supported by his coaches and teammates, and the broader club and I know our members and supporters will also do the same. We look forward to seeing Joe, alongside our entire playing list, back out on the training track when they return to the club throughout November.

Over the coming weeks, we will receive the widely anticipated 2020 AFL fixture. With our members at the front of mind, we will provide an update on this in due course.  

I also notify our members that the current terms of club directors Simon Madden and Andrew Muir will come to an end at this year’s AGM (on Thursday, December 5), meaning that there will be two vacancies for election to the EssendonBoard this year. 

Both Simon and Andrew will be standing for re-election and nominations for other candidates remain open until Thursday, October 31, 2019. 

Our members are our strength, so thank you for your continued support of our football club.

Just like you, we are eager for the 2020 season already! 

Sincerely,

Xavier Campbell
Chief executive officer