Interim Essendon coach Dean Solomon has reiterated that he is not seeking the senior coaching role on a permanent basis, despite a report suggesting he is president Andrew Welsh's preferred candidate. Speaking after Essendon's 45-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday, Solomon confirmed he has not spoken with Welsh about the position.
Solomon stays focused on the present
Solomon, who played in Essendon's 2000 premiership, took over after Brad Scott was sacked last month. He initially stated he would not pursue the job full-time, but a recent report claimed Welsh favours him over James Hird. However, Solomon remains adamant about his stance.
"The club is obviously working behind the scenes about what the next coach would look like, time frames," Solomon said. "I have no knowledge and I didn’t want to know any of that, I still don’t want to know any of that, because I’ve got to focus on what I’ve got to focus on."
Solomon emphasised his priority is the team's performance. "The most important role I need to play right now is ensuring we have momentum into the finish line here, because if we fall away, it can do a fair bit of damage. My sole focus is on these players and the staff, ensuring they’re in a good headspace, and we’re playing the right way, and we hit this finish line with momentum."
Bombers' struggles continue
Essendon have lost all three games under Solomon, falling to a 1-13 record and facing their first wooden spoon since 2016. The Bombers trailed Melbourne by 41 points at halftime but nearly broke even in the second half.
Solomon dismissed suggestions that coaching speculation affected the players. "It’s not why they’re flat, and I’m unsure how much they read or take on. I know there’s going to be a lot of noise around, but I’m right in the middle here, focusing what I need to focus. I haven’t heard or had any conversations about any of that, about who’s our next coach, so I’m pretty confident they’re not thinking about that."
Midfield issues and player moves
Essendon were dominated in the midfield, prompting former captain Zach Merrett to shift back into the centre square. With Merrett expected to leave at season's end after a failed trade to Hawthorn, the Bombers have moved him to halfback. A potentially season-ending shoulder injury to young defender Archie Roberts may keep Merrett in the backline.
"I’d like to continue with him at halfback," Solomon said. "Obviously got other coaches to discuss that with, but it’ll depend on team balance, too. I’d love to settle him at halfback, so we can continue to drive the ball forward a lot more than what we currently are."
The Bombers are also hopeful that a quad injury to swingman Kyle Langford, who left the field against Melbourne, is minor. Hird, a former teammate of Solomon and Welsh, has expressed interest in coaching Essendon again after the supplements saga.
