Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The AFL has thrown Essendon a minor lifeline after two of the most brutal seasons in club history.
Essendon finished at the bottom of the ladder this year and has won just two of its past 36 matches.
The Bombers applied for an assistance package but were granted just two additional rookie spots on their list in 2027.
Previous assistance packages for struggling clubs have included first or second round picks.
AFL general manager Greg Swann said the assistance aimed to improve the balance of the competition.
“It is important that we strive to maintain a competitively balanced competition so that fans feel their team can win on any given day,” Swann said.
“We have been working with Essendon to identify areas where targeted assistance can support its on-field improvement to return to being competitive.
“The addition of two Rookie List positions will provide Essendon with greater flexibility to invest in additional talent.”
The Bombers have pick No.1 of the national draft and will likely have another first-round pick if Zach Merrett departs to Hawthorn in the trade period.
Mark McVeigh spoke passionately when he was unveiled as Essendon coach last month, admitting the Bombers needed to show improvement to win back the fans.
“I think what they need to see is improvement and they need to see who I am as a person, what I am about,” he said.
“I’, a no-ego coach. I think for me, we have wonderful people in front of us, the club has embraced my family (and) they have embraced me.
“I know the position on the ladder doesn’t suggest it should be the happiest place, but it’s pretty amazing what they’ve got here.
“That gives me great confidence and it should give our supporters great confidence. I know what they want to see, we’ll go to work on what that looks like.
“We need to surround our players with the best staff we possibly can and we’ll go to work on that.
“They need to be coached hard and coached well. I hope in the next few weeks, months, that the supporters who perhaps are not aligned with us now see great change.”
