Essendon list guru Adrian Dodoro has been granted personal leave and appears set to officially step down from his role after 26 years.
Dodoro has been list boss at Essendon since 1998, but his position has come under increasing scrutiny as the Bombers’ finals drought rolls on.
Essendon haven’t won a final since 2004 and that unwanted record is likely to stretch into next year as well.
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Last year, the club announced a succession plan with Dodoro to scale back his commitments and Matt Rosa named to take over list responsibilities.
But there was no clear timeframe given and Dodoro remained involved throughout the season. However, the club clarified the situation on Friday with Rosa assuming full responsibilities ahead of the 2024 off-season.
“Adrian Dodoro has stepped away from the club to focus on personal matters,” club CEO Craig Vozzo said.
“In accordance with the club’s transition plan which commenced in November last year, Matt Rosa has fully assumed responsibility for leading the club’s list management and recruiting team during the 2024 trade, free agency and draft periods.
“The club asks people to respect Adrian and his family’s privacy during this period.”
News Corp reports Dodoro is not expected to return to the club, which will end his 36-year association with Essendon.
Dodoro first joined the club in 1988 in a part-time role under master coach Kevin Sheedy.
Dodoro’s departure continues a period of change for the club desperate to end their finals drought.
The Bombers have been well-placed the past two seasons under coach Brad Scott, but have faded late.
They must win their final two matches against Sydney and Brisbane to have any chance of making the finals.
Meanwhile, Sheedy will step down as a director on the club’s board at the end of the AFL season, saying he walks away confident that the Bombers are on the “road to success”.
Sheedy joined the Essendon board in October, 2020 with the express role of helping the club rebuild its football program.
During his time as director, Sheedy has been involved in helping implement a crucial external review as well as appointing a new senior coach, chief executive and general manager of football.
“The club is in excellent hands with president David Barham and the current board,” Sheedy said in a statement.
“Vice president Andrew Welsh is doing an excellent job, looking after the football aspects from a board point of view.
“I was happy to step up and help when asked by Paul Brasher in 2020, and I have always done everything that I can to help this club. This will never stop.
“I am very confident under the leadership of CEO Craig Vozzo and coach Brad Scott that we are on the road to success.
“We have returned to being a football club where our ultimate focus is on winning football games and making our members and supporters proud with everything we do.
“Essendon means so much to so many people and with the current stability and renewed focus at the football club, we have the right foundations for sustainable success.”
Sheedy was coach of Essendon for 27 years from 1981-2007, guiding the club to four flags during that period.
He was also the inaugural coach and a former director of Greater Western Sydney.
Sheedy’s other contributions to the AFL industry include creating the iconic Anzac Day and Dreamtime matches, enhancing the AFL Coaches’ Association and establishing the AFL Sports Ready Program.
The 76-year-old is an Essendon life member and Hall of Fame Legend, an AFL and Richmond life member and an AFL Hall of Fame Legend.
– With AAP