Dear members,

Finally, football is back. 

We are delighted to write to you on the day of the recommencement of our 2020 home and away campaign. 

There is no doubt it has been a very challenging few months in Australia and across the globe. We’re not there just yet, but as a community, we are making vast inroads in our bid to return to life as we previously knew it. 

After nearly three months of season postponement, footy is back. This will arguably be a much-needed reprieve, and relief for a few hours for many of us across the country, who will tune in to watch our beloved Bombers this afternoon. 

Following our round one victory over Fremantle back in March, many of our players have benefitted from the extended break and have been able to overcome their injuries, like our skipper Dyson Heppell and Cale Hooker. Our players are fit and raring to go and there has been an air of excitement at the NEC Hangar this week.  

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Executive, we wish John Worsfold and Ben Rutten as well as our coaches and players the very best for their 2020 campaign. Rest assured, there will be no asterisk for the team that secures that elusive premiership this year. No path is without its twists and turns, but the premiership cup is up for grabs and our team remains as determined as ever to achieve success.

While some parts of our business are returning to normality, there have been difficult decisions that we have been forced to make as a result of the impact of this pandemic. We would sincerely like to acknowledge our staff who regrettably remain on stand-down for the time being. You remain a very important part of the Essendon family for the season ahead.

We would also like to thank and acknowledge the loyalty and support of our incredible commercial partners, particularly our co-major partners, Fujitsu General Australia and Amart Furniture, as well as our premium partners, Coles Insurance, Coles, Under Armour, Yakult, Border Express, Marley, Treasury Wine Estates, Colonial Brewing Co and NEC Australia. 

Thank you to the AFL for their efforts to ensure the game could return in a way that protects our players, officials, their families and the broader community. We wish to also take this opportunity to thank relevant governments and medical experts and authorities for their support of our industry.  

But most importantly, to you, our members. Quite simply, we thank you. 

For those that have pledged their membership, a sincere thank-you. For those that weren’t able to, we do understand. With restrictions now beginning to ease, the possibility of members attending games is becoming closer to a reality, and we hope to be able to provide our fans with this opportunity in the near future. 

Finally, we would like to reiterate again, our members remain the lifeblood of this great club. Your support has been overwhelming, but so very heartening. Thank you for your continued and loyal support of this proud club. You’ve stuck with us many times over, and we are mighty because of you.  

Wherever you may be watching the game on Sunday, we hope to do you proud. For the both of us, we will be watching from our family homes. Let’s hope we can all share a win with those closest to us.  

Thank you for your continued support.  

Go Bombers!

Regards,

Lindsay Tanner and Xavier Campbell