ESSENDON chairman Paul Little says the club's football department in 2012 gave "lip service" to policies and procedures, which led to the Bombers' horror season of 2013.
 
Speaking at the Bombers' Crichton Medal count on Wednesday night, where veteran defender Dustin Fletcher announced he would play on in 2014, Little said it was important to explain what had unfolded at the club.
 
Little said Essendon couldn't "point to any one person, event, or moment in time to sheet home the blame for the mistakes made", but explained briefly what transpired.
 
"In early 2012 we had a strong football department that sought and was given pretty much everything it needed to achieve success. Corners were cut, budgets mostly ignored, policies and procedures invariably received lip service only," Little said.
 
"We employed the wrong people in our high performance area in our search for success, and allowed them to operate in a poorly supervised manner.
 
"Protocols and procedures were vague and resulted in blurred accountability throughout most operational areas of the football department."
 
 
Its coach James Hird was banned for 12 months, football manager Danny Corcoran given a four-month suspension, and assistant coach Mark Thompson fined in relation to the program which was investigated by ASADA and AFL this year.    
 
Little noted the difficulties of the season, stressing it had been hard to keep the club functioning on a daily basis through the crisis.
 
He also highlighted Essendon's aim to rebuild its "brand".
 
"As part of this process, we will be ‘listening’ to our members and supporters to help shape the future direction of our club," Little said.
 
"Already, we are in the process of conducting a series of research initiatives to ensure we understand the views of our supporters."
 
The club did not announce its interim coach at the best and fairest count, but Little said an appointment was "very close" and expected next week.
 
To the roar of supporters in the room, Little thanked Hird, and said the playing group could evolve into a "serious top-four contender" next season. 
 
Meanwhile, Fletcher's signature puts the 38-year-old in reach of the magic 400-game milestone.
 
Sitting equal with Essendon games record-holder Simon Madden on 378 appearances, Fletcher is almost assured of breaking the record after signing a one-year contract.

"To be honest missing the last couple of games this year made me really hungry to play again in 2014," Fletcher told essendonfc.com.au.

“I've said it before, but to be able to come to the club and work with 40 of your mates and play footy for a living is a great job.

"Breaking the club's games record wasn’t a motivating factor for me. The body is feeling good, I've still got my speed and we’ve got a great group of players here.

"While I can still contribute and play my role for the team I want to keep playing."

Only two players – Kevin Bartlett and Michael Tuck – have surpassed the 400-game barrier in VFL/AFL history.

But the club appears set to lose out-of-contract forward Stewart Crameri to the Western Bulldogs.




Stewart Crameri may have played his last game for the Bombers. Picture: AFL Media

Assistant coach Mark Thompson said he hoped Crameri would remain a Bomber, but that the club's list management is paramount. 

"In the end if he goes, he'll leave us, but we're pretty strong with list management that when we become a better team, and our younger players deserve more money, that we're going to try to manage this list really well," Thompson said to the crowd. 

"Stew was a little bit outside where we wanted to pay him, unfortunately. But the Bulldogs wanted to pay him a lot of money. 

"We wish that players stay for the right reasons. 

"Brian Lake is a very, very good example of that, that he took less money to go to a club that was in an area where they were about to win a premiership, and he got his premiership. 

"I think in the end, you can have as much money as you want, but you play this game for one reason and that's to win premierships."