Essendon legend Tim Watson has voiced strong opposition to the club seeking special assistance from the AFL. According to AFL Media, the Bombers have initiated discussions with the league for help following a dismal run of just one win in their last 25 matches.
Essendon's struggles continue
The Bombers, who parted ways with coach Brad Scott last week, remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder. They are strong favorites to claim the wooden spoon for only the second time since 1933. The previous occasion was in 2016, when the majority of their squad was suspended due to the doping scandal.
Essendon lost their final 13 games last season to finish 15th, after starting with six wins in their first 10 matches. In 2024, the Bombers sat fourth after Round 18 but won just one of their last seven games, missing the finals with an 11-11 record.
Previous AFL assistance packages
In recent years, West Coast (2025), North Melbourne (2023), and Gold Coast (2019) have all received assistance packages from the AFL. However, Watson was highly critical of Essendon potentially joining that list.
“No, no, no,” he said on SEN when asked if the Bombers deserved assistance. “Because I have to be consistent, I have said this about other clubs.
“Where you find yourself is because of your own poor administration and your own poor handling of your footy club. That’s what you pay the penalty for. I’m not for clubs getting assistance under this guise. No I’m not.
“You make your bed and you lie in it, that’s what happens in life. You finish down the bottom of the ladder – where Essendon will, that’s your advantage. You get the first pick of the draft.
“That’s the way the system was designed. We keep wanting to modify things to assist clubs, then we artificially try to bulk up clubs to help them. That whole thinking has to stop.”
Essendon face Carlton this weekend as they continue their search for a second win this season.
