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David Barham’s decision to walk the plank and hand the Essendon presidency to his chosen successor Andrew Welsh, ahead of schedule, could well avert further tumult at the club, although one cannot count on a cessation of turbulence at Tullamarine.
Barham, who stood for re-election last year and saw off an unconvincing challenge from dual 1980s premiership player Paul Weston, had planned then to pass the baton to Welsh, a tough 162-game Essendon player who has made a pile in property development, sometime midway through his term.
David Barham served as Essendon president for three years.Credit: Wayne Taylor
But the fact of an injury pestilence and ensuing 13 consecutive defeats, and skipper Zach Merrett’s wish to be traded to Hawthorn, placed enormous heat on Barham, whose emotional style – and unapologetic willingness to make brutal change and put noses out of joint – meant he was not destined to be a long-term leader at such as politically fraught club.
The backlash that came in Barham’s direction also was a draining experience for the former television executive, who had taken over in dramatic circumstances in 2022 when he led an internal board coup that saw then president Paul Brasher and three fellow directors resign, Ben Rutten sacked and then a process that installed Brad Scott as Rutten’s replacement.
Whatever the precise mix of motives for stepping aside, Barham’s expedited exit gives the Bombers improved prospects for unity and clear air.
Would Barham have faced a board challenge? Potentially. It is evident that there’s been plots hatching against him – albeit none openly declared – and Merrett’s escape attempt further undermined his chances of sticking around next year.
But the ascension of Welsh – who is flanked by popular 2000 premiership hero and ex-teammate Dean Solomon – means that the new leadership of the board will not be under threat. Not any time soon.
They will also make a concerted attempt to keep Merrett in the fold. The less serious threat of Jordan Ridley leaving has been put to bed.
Barham’s departure, thus, should buy time for Scott and chief executive Craig Vozzo, who needed more runway to remake a playing list that lacked A-graders for so long.
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Welsh has a strong relationship with billionaire former president Paul Little, who was far closer to the previous chairman Paul Brasher and Campbell than Barham. Little had been viewed with wary respect - and a touch of trepidation - by Barham and some club insiders fearing a board spill since 2023.
James Hird, too, has indicated (to Channel Nine) that he was out of the loop of any board ructions, having earlier this year put on record that he was not interested in a prodigal return as coach.
Welsh and Solomon will have solid support, thus, from the vast majority of Essendon people, not least the iconic Kevin Sheedy, who had also departed the board late last year and caused some grief in his dissent on the appointment of Scott over his former champion Hird.
That it was Welsh who met with Merrett on Friday last week was a telling sign of what was coming. Welsh had also been meeting regularly with Scott and Vozzo, alongside Barham, and had been unequivocal in supporting that pair.
Barham’s mission was one of bruising change. He presided over changes of coach, chief executive, most of the board and the exit of long-time recruiting boss Adrian Dodoro, whose marathon time at Essendon ended in a settlement following legal action.
The shift to Welsh is one from change agent to more of a consensus-builder and healer.
Barham had been further dented by a Herald Sun story on how he had sworn at octogenarian ex-champion Ted Fordham at a club function back in July, in defence of Scott.
Had the Bombers been playing last weekend – or even the weekend before – in preliminary and/or semi-final this September, angry words between president and a decorated former player would barely have registered. Consider the reaction were such an event to happen at Geelong.
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And, more pertinently, had the Bombers been participating in the second or third week of the finals, Merrett wouldn’t be meeting with Sam and Lyndall Mitchell.
Merrett’s wish to look for the exit ramp, indeed, has likely hastened the exit of the president.
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