With Essendon undergoing an internal review off the back of a poor start to 2022, AFL great David King believes the club’s list manager, Adrian Dodoro, is the safest man in the building.
The Bombers have started 2022 with a 2-9 record after their rise to the finals last year, with president Paul Brasher sending a video message to members announcing a review would be conducted.
He stated it would focus on providing additional resources rather than cutting personnel, however many have been left unconvinced about the credibility of that call.
Brasher added that the key areas of the review would centre around player development, coaching and support for the coaching group, and recruiting and list management.
However, the Bombers boss suggested the list management arm of the club could be particularly scrutinused.
“The recruiting and list management area is one that’s going to be taking on a lot more importance this year because of the opportunities we have,” Brasher said.
“It’s always important, but this year we’re likely to have reasonably high draft picks, room in our salary cap and the ability to go into a period of trade, free agency and drafting with a real head of steam.”
Despite this, King believes Dodoro’s job, one that he has held since 2010, is under no pressure.
“This is what’s going to happen the next time we talk about Essendon. They’re going to have the best lineup available, (Will) Snelling will be back, (Jake) Stringer will be back, (Kyle) Langford will be back and (Mason) Redman from suspension,” he said on SEN's Crunch Time.
“So the next time we see them, they are at almost full health. They’re going to be a dangerous team to play.
“Okay, they’ve got some flaws in how they defend and whatnot, but for me, talent is not the issue and has not been the issue for a couple of years.
“I think the safest person in the whole lot is Adrian Dodoro and his recruiting staff.
“They’ve built, I think, a seriously good list.
“Okay, there’s a hole or two that they can fill when they hit that top four range and then they can trade out some elite picks, but in terms of the list composition, this is a list that should be at least in the top six.
“I’m just saying that this can’t come back to the list, in my opinion.”
Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes predicted earlier in the week that the review would end in sweeping changes to Essendon’s assistant coaching ranks, but added he believed Ben Rutten would be safe for now as head coach.
Essendon has the bye this week before three consecutive Friday night games in a potentially season-defining stretch.