Former Essendon player David Zaharakis has openly criticized his former club, describing it as a “rabble” following a report that players raised concerns with the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) after a contentious meeting about illicit drugs in late June. This comes after Nine’s Chief Football Reporter Tom Morris revealed that Bombers players felt CEO Craig Vozzo’s comments on drug use potentially breached player confidentiality.
Speaking on Triple M’s Rush Hour with JB & Billy, Zaharakis expressed his frustration with the club over the incident, extending his criticism to the broader issues plaguing Essendon. “We’re a rabble at the moment. I don’t know what’s going on; you hear stories every single week,” Zaharakis lamented. He compared the current turmoil to the challenging period during 2015/16, suggesting the club might be closer to rock bottom now than it was then.
Essendon’s Troubled Waters
The report of internal discord follows a series of troubling stories about players wanting to leave and a divided locker room. Zaharakis noted, “The stories that have come out this year about players wanting to leave and the locker room divide; even with the CEO and the players are disgruntled… there’s too many stories happening at the moment at Essendon.”
Geelong Cats Hall of Famer Billy Brownless added to the criticism, stating, “Essendon are leaking like a sieve! There’s too many leaks and the worst thing you can have at a footy club is a leak.” The sentiment underscores the internal challenges facing the club, which have become public knowledge.
Historical Context: A Club in Crisis
Zaharakis was early in his AFL career when he chose not to participate in Essendon’s controversial injections program in 2012, which led to the suspension of 34 teammates. This scandal resulted in Essendon being fined $305,000 in 2015 by Worksafe Victoria for breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The substance involved was ‘AOD-9604,’ an anti-obesity drug.
Reflecting on the current situation, Zaharakis said,
“(A leak) is the worst thing. Especially when you never hear bad stories about the top eight clubs in the league. It’s always the bottom six or seven clubs that have leaks. Essendon is leaking like a sieve.”
Leadership in Question
The controversy extends to the club’s leadership, with current captain Zach Merrett linked to a potential move to Hawthorn. Although Merrett has not officially requested a trade, the speculation adds to the uncertainty within the club. Zaharakis questioned the implications of having a captain considering leaving, stating, “In my time as a player, I never had a captain wanting to leave. Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell… you’d never even think about them entertaining something like this.”
Merrett, who recently won his sixth best and fairest award, addressed his future at the club during his acceptance speech, but rumors persist. Zaharakis expressed doubt about Merrett’s commitment, saying,
“I love Zach as a person, and he was a great teammate of mine, but it would be hard to look that person in the eye and say, ‘Are you fully committed to this footy club?’ … I personally don’t see it happening (him staying).”
The Road Ahead for Essendon
As Essendon grapples with these challenges, Zaharakis remains hopeful for the club’s future. “I’m disappointed where we’re at. I love the club. I barracked for Essendon since I was born, so it wasn’t like I just played for them and was passing through,” he concluded. Despite the turmoil, Zaharakis’s loyalty to Essendon is unwavering, as he joins other fans in hoping for a turnaround.
The situation at Essendon highlights the ongoing issues of leadership, confidentiality, and player satisfaction within professional sports teams. As the club navigates these turbulent times, the focus will be on rebuilding trust and unity among players and management.
