SEN’s Andy Maher has responded to Andrew Thorburn’s decision to resign as Essendon CEO.
Thorburn was only announced yesterday in his new role but became embroiled in controversy after his position as Chair of the City of the Hill church emerged.
With the church holding radical abortion and same-sex marriage beliefs, Thorburn addressed his position on SEN Breakfast where he asked to be viewed on his actions instead of beliefs.
Given that the controversial links meant Thorburn would only spend one day in charge at The Hangar, Maher pondered whether the Bombers had done enough background work on the former NAB boss.
“Some of their (the church’s) platforms became public,” Maher said on SEN The Run Home.
“(He had an) unwillingness to step away from a couple of their pillars, which are part of their Christian belief, are radically pro-life and homophobic and anti-gay marriage.
“How did they not know? Did they know that he was the Chair of this Christian church?
“Did they know he was the Chair of that and do their research into the platforms on which this church stands and did they think, ‘That’s his personal view and won’t interfere with his position as CEO’.
“Or did they not know? How do they not know? How do they miss that?”
Maher described the Thorburn controversy as a “heavy embarrassment” for a club that can’t seem to put a foot right.
“It’s an embarrassment for Essendon,” Maher said.
“That is a heavy, heavy embarrassment for the footy club to deal with.
“They’ll work to get through it, they’ve got no choice.
“They’ll wear it because they have to, but it is unbelievable.
“It is unbelievable and it’s a conversation that will roll on.”
The Bombers accepted Thorburn’s decision to resign after the board made it clear to him that he would not be able to continue holding the role of Chair of the church.