Essendon’s Position and the Debate Over AFL Assistance
Essendon premiership player Tim Watson has expressed his strong disagreement with the idea that his club should receive an AFL assistance package. This comes after reports surfaced that the Bombers have started negotiations with the league for some form of support. Watson, a former champion player, believes that Essendon’s current struggles are a direct result of poor management and administrative decisions.
Watson emphasized that clubs must take responsibility for their performance and that receiving external aid under the guise of assistance is not the right approach. He made these comments on SEN, where he stated, “No, no, no. I have to be consistent. I have said this about other clubs.”
He continued by highlighting that when a team finds itself at the bottom of the ladder, it is due to its own shortcomings. Watson argued that the system is designed in such a way that teams at the bottom get the first pick in the draft, giving them the opportunity to select the best talent. “You finish down the bottom of the ladder – where Essendon will, that’s your advantage. You get the first pick; you get the first look at the best talent,” he said.
Watson criticized the trend of modifying the system to help struggling clubs. He believes that artificially boosting clubs is not the solution. “That whole thinking has to stop,” he added.
Historical Examples of AFL Assistance Packages
The AFL has provided assistance packages to several clubs during challenging periods. For example:
West Coast (2025): The Eagles were granted an end-of-first-round selection in 2025 and four additional rookie list spots up until the end of 2028. At that time, they had won 11 games in four years.
North Melbourne (2023): The Kangaroos received one end-of-first-round selection in 2023, two end-of-first-round picks in 2024, and additional rookie list spots. They had won 12 games in four seasons at the time.
Gold Coast (2019): The Suns, an expansion club, were awarded Pick 1 and the first pick of the second round, as well as a mid-first-round pick of the 2020 Draft and the first pick of the second round in 2021. They had won 13 games in three seasons (2017, 2018, and 2019).
Despite these assistance packages, the Suns still failed to move off the bottom rungs of the ladder and ended up winning the wooden spoon. This highlights the complexity of using financial or draft assistance as a solution for struggling clubs.
The Debate Continues
Watson’s comments reflect a broader debate within the football community about the role of assistance packages. While some argue that these packages can provide much-needed support to struggling clubs, others believe that the system should remain as it is, with teams taking full responsibility for their performance.
The question remains: Should the AFL continue to offer assistance to clubs that are struggling, or should the focus be on improving internal management and decision-making? As Essendon continues to navigate its challenges, the conversation around the role of the AFL in supporting its clubs is likely to intensify.
