Matthew Richardson has defended Essendon’s decision to allow the majority of their playing group to go on a post-season overseas trip together.
On the back of the Bombers’ turbulent season which saw them finish in 15th place, over 30 players have recently embarked on a holiday to Spain.
The decision comes as the club is picking up the pieces of a disappointing season, recently launching an external review and announcing a sub-committee charged with appointing a new coach after the parting ways with Ben Rutten.
Kane Cornes has been a critic of Essendon’s decision to sanction a footy trip involving most of the playing list, but Richardson has an alternative view.
“What a lot of nonsense that you can’t go away and have a trip after a long year,” he said on Sportsday.
“That philosophy (of criticising a footy trip) is so old-school, the optics might not look good but they’re allowed to go on holidays.
“It’s seriously ridiculous.”
Essendon’s playing group will be back in Australia ahead of the club’s best and fairest function on October 3, with pre-season training commencing in November.