‘Rudderless’ Bombers facing more off-field chaos as club boss set to be challenged

More chaos is looming at Essendon with president Dave Barham’s board set to be challenged by insurgents in the coming weeks.

Nine’s Tom Morris reports “key powerbrokers including one former player” are behind the move which comes in the wake of a disastrous end to the season with 13 consecutive losses.

That was followed by multiple star players, including captain Zach Merrett, seeking trades away from Tullamarine.

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Merrett is set to attend the Brownlow Medal with his teammates on Monday night.

But those threatening to challenge Barham’s board believe “the club has been left rudderless and the Barham era has left a legacy of division, instability, player drainage and lost opportunity”, according to Morris.

“A major board challenge is imminent at Essendon. In the wake of an off-season of turmoil, key powerbrokers - including at least one former player - are preparing a movement which would oust David Barham as president, and other directors too,” he said on Nine News.

“I’ve spoken to one of the key powerbrokers tonight, who says this is not coterie-driven, and it’s just a manner of when and not if the challenge takes place.

“There’s a view the club has been left rudderless and the Barham era has left a legacy of division, instability, player drainage and lost opportunity from this group of people.”

Barham took over as president in August 2022, having been a club director since late 2015.

He quickly oversaw the sacking of Ben Rutten and appointed ex-North Melbourne boss Brad Scott as coach.

Barham has been involved in football since the early 1990s, previously running AFL Films and Channel Ten’s coverage of the game through the 2000s.

He saw off a contested board election in late 2024, receiving 5560 votes with Paul Weston receiving 3829, and Melissa Verner Green receiving 3016.

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