New Dons coach Scott warns hard work ahead

New coach Brad Scott has urged expectant Essendon fans to be patient as he attempts to turn the fallen AFL power’s fortunes around.

Bombers president Dave Barham hailed a new era for the strife-torn club at Scott’s unveiling on Friday, with club great Matthew Lloyd declaring the 46-year-old could instantly engineer a finals return in 2023.

But Scott, who played in two Brisbane Lions flags and coached North Melbourne to a pair of preliminary finals, warned success would not be automatic.

Essendon have won a record 16 AFL/VFL premierships – tied with arch rivals Carlton – but have not won a finals match since 2004.

“The longer you spend in football, the more you realise that you’re not entitled to anything,” Scott told reporters.

“Regardless of which club you’re at and what opportunities you have, it all comes back to the same thing; hard work, discipline, being united and being really clear on the direction and the role that everyone needs to play.

“That’s going to be a big challenge here.

“But if you’re not united and you’re not going in the same direction, I don’t care what players you’ve got and what facilities you’ve got, none of that matters.”

A key figure in Essendon’s most recent premiership in 2000, Lloyd is bullish about Scott’s appointment after he beat the likes of Adem Yze and James Hird to the role.

“You often see an instant bump when these types of new coaches come in,” legendary goalkicker Lloyd said on AFL Trade Radio.

“I’d expect Essendon to play finals (next) year under Brad Scott. He is the perfect person to coach this team.”

Scott spent almost a decade at the helm of the Kangaroos before his departure midway through 2019.

He then held football operations roles at league headquarters for three seasons, and said he had committed himself to the administration side of the game.

But the lure of coaching proved too strong when the Bombers came knocking after parting ways with Ben Rutten and missing out on first target Alastair Clarkson.

Scott said his first move at Essendon will be to invest time with players and coaches as he attempts to develop a fresh game style capable of delivering success.

“Leading game analysis at the AFL gives you a unique insight as to where the game’s been, where it is now and probably where it’s going,’ Scott said.

“I don’t have a view that there is one way to play the game.

“I’ve been exposed to some great coaches, some great programs and the only thing that I can say about that is they’re all different and they all have different focus areas.

“I don’t come in with a preconceived idea as to how we should play.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do to get to know the players, their strengths and focus on that, and we’ll build a program and a style that suits that.”

Scott refused to put a time frame on how long it will take to get Essendon back into finals contention.

He takes on a side that lost an elimination final in 2021 and slid to 15th with a 7-15 record under Rutten this year.

“We’re just really focused on building a program,” Scott said.

“There’s only one fact when it comes to our list and that’s that it is young and inexperienced.

“In terms of capability, I think there’s reason for optimism, but all we have is an opportunity to build a program to get the most out of our players.

“That’s what I love doing and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.”

Barham took over as president in August and has overseen a raft of off-field changes, including the departure of CEO Xavier Campbell and turnover of board members.

He declared this time “a real chance for renewal” at the club.

“This is about re-setting the culture of this football club long-term,” Barham said.

“It’s not so much about next year. For me, this is about how we reset this club for sustained long-term success, and that’s what we haven’t had.”