Delisted Adrian Dodoro - Leaving EFC. #putoutyourjackets

[Lore]

Cliff notes:

• Stepping back from his current senior role following the 2023 AFL Draft
• Transition plan, raised the possibility with Vozzo in April
• Replacement is Matt Rosa, whose thread is here: Welcome to Essendon Matthew Rosa
  Matthew Rosa

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  – AFL Talent & Operations Manager!

To coincide with this announcement, the Club’s General Manager of List and Recruiting, Adrian Dodoro, has made the decision to take a step back from his current senior role following this year’s NAB AFL National Draft. He will lead the Club through the upcoming 2023 Trade and Draft period in his current position prior to transitioning to and assisting Matt Rosa moving forward.​

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Dodoro, an Essendon Life Member, has played a significant role at the Bombers over nearly three decades and said the time was right to take a step back.​

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“I approached Craig back in April to discuss the concept of transition and I feel that now is the right time to make this decision,” Dodoro said.​

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"I sat on the panel to assist in the selection of Matt, and I believe he will be an outstanding acquisition to the Club for years to come. I look forward to working with Matt moving forward.​

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“These roles are very taxing on individuals and their families and it just feels like that. After nearly three decades and with stability in key roles at the Club, now is the right time for me to take a step back in to a role which will provide me and my family with a better work life balance.​

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“More immediately, we have an important few months coming up and I’m looking forward to playing my part to deliver a strong Trade and Draft period for the Club to ensure that the playing list is in a strong position for the future.”​

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Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo acknowledged the significant impact Dodoro has made at the Club since joining in a full-time role in 1998.​

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“Adrian is a highly respected Life Member of the Essendon Football Club and has made an enormous contribution to the Club and the wider AFL industry during his time in football, including assisting to navigate the Club through unprecedented and challenging periods,” Vozzo said.​

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“Throughout his time at the Bombers, Adrian’s commitment and passion to take the Club forward in its list management and recruiting, has been unquestionable. Some of the Champions of Essendon have been identified and selected by Adrian, and we will always be grateful for the important and enduring role he has played.​

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“On behalf of the entire Club, we would like to acknowledge Adrian’s selfless decision and we look forward to his ongoing contribution to the Club.​

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“Adrian will work with Matt to ensure a smooth hand-over and a successful transition of responsibilities.”​

 

[The Donners]

This has to, and from what i here is, change. Drafting should be paramount over the next 10 years. With the way our draft system works, focus here is the best chance at grabbing an advantage over other clubs.

I remember up here the stories that Riewoldt was told by a few clubs to avoid the draft and they would pick him up. This sought of manipulation was going on when recruiters were working for "a bit of a labour of love".

Now a side question to this, why are we not getting players from Ireland, like collingwood and carlton. This worries me. Are we focusing on running a pleasant business rather than Australian Rules Football?

We only recruit from the Northern Territory or Western Australia!

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Interesting. I've never read this type of perspective before. I thought (& correct me if I'm wrong) that Davies wasn't even playing TAC footy therefore not even playing with the best kids. I thought his selection was a complete shock & weren't we investigated because of it?

You are correct about the headless chicken.

What an awful awful selection. With Harvey the next year, Dordoro could have got the sack then. However, I think he is improving with time and is getting better. I have been satisfied with his recruiting of recent times.

 

[The_Young_Gun]

Its not all Dodoro's fault in drafting a player that turns out crap like Davies or Harvey, I reaken Sheedy would have had a part in it as well.

Over the last 6 years or so I have seen us pick up all these crap players with really early picks which with some exceptions all of them have turned out crap (Mainly James Davies, Shane Harvey, Kepler Bradely.ect)

I don't think its mainly Dodoro's fault at all, he scouts and selects the players, he doesn't train them, teach them or do anything with them after their drafted. I think its mainly that after we have drafted them we havn't handled them in the right way afterwards. Thats why I have blamed Sheedy for a part of this because I think he was getting a bit sloopy over the last 6-8 year with our young players and probably one of the reasons he got sacked.

 

[GoDons]

In the case of Shane Harvey, it wasn't Dodoro's fault I don't think.

That kid had serious talent, and he just didn't have the mindset to use it. Of course, this could've been noticed if we didn't do what just about all 16 clubs do, and chuck the Psychological testing results at Draft Camp in an unused filing cabinet.

The Kangaroos are just about the only club introducing Psychologists into their football department, and I think it's about time other clubs followed. We are wasting the opportunity to know valuable information about the players we intend on drafting, and the players we already have.

 

[fatgutz]

g'day bomber fan from sunny mildura! um well we have Merve Neagle back coaching our senior side and boy does he know how to recruit! never been happy with Dodoro think he's been to comfortable and has recruited old carlton hacks and yes Zantuck! so nup! time to go like Sheedy! maybe put James Hird as a recruiter wow wouldn't bloke wanna play for the mighty bombers then? i want our club to get back to power house on field not just off field becuase we are starting to be like collingwood winning off field!!!!!!!!!!!! cheers!!!!!! JAMES HIRD RECRUITER!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The Donners]

In the case of Shane Harvey, it wasn't Dodoro's fault I don't think.

That kid had serious talent, and he just didn't have the mindset to use it. Of course, this could've been noticed if we didn't do what just about all 16 clubs do, and chuck the Psychological testing results at Draft Camp in an unused filing cabinet.

The Kangaroos are just about the only club introducing Psychologists into their football department, and I think it's about time other clubs followed. We are wasting the opportunity to know valuable information about the players we intend on drafting, and the players we already have.

It's little wonder they're in dead, misappropriating AFL funding! Club's have sports pschologists for match day and off field issues.

If Lance Franklin had off field issues <s******> would that stop you from recruiting hiim?

 

[GoDons]

It's little wonder they're in dead, misappropriating AFL funding! Club's have sports pschologists for match day and off field issues.

If Lance Franklin had off field issues <s******> would that stop you from recruiting hiim?

I think you'll find that sports psychologists aren't anywhere near as prevalent as you'd think.

They're starting to emerge, but in more of a debriefing capacity. Clubs use councellors more so than psychologists. Personality characteristics are barely looked into. The Kangaroos are almost pioneers in employing Greg Dear to look into that kind of stuff.

And no, personality issues wouldn't stop me from recruiting Lance Franklin. However, they would alter the way I would treat him from the very start.

Too many players aren't handled appropriately upon their arrivals in AFL football. Why? Because clubs fail to look into their Psychological testing.

 

[Longy413]

I think you'll find that sports psychologists aren't anywhere near as prevalent as you'd think.

They're starting to emerge...

We've had one for close to 20 years in one form or another.

 

[The Donners]

I think you'll find that sports psychologists aren't anywhere near as prevalent as you'd think.

They're starting to emerge, but in more of a debriefing capacity. Clubs use councellors more so than psychologists. Personality characteristics are barely looked into. The Kangaroos are almost pioneers in employing Greg Dear to look into that kind of stuff.

And no, personality issues wouldn't stop me from recruiting Lance Franklin. However, they would alter the way I would treat him from the very start.

Too many players aren't handled appropriately upon their arrivals in AFL football. Why? Because clubs fail to look into their Psychological testing.

Really? I could've sworn the sports psyche was chatting up Winderlich when he was on the bench, stirring him up, telling him how important he was... I thought it was fantastic that channel 7 showed it... that's the first AND last time I speak well of channel 7, worst commentating and filming of football matches period!

 

[GoDons]

We've had one for close to 20 years in one form or another.

A sports pyschologist or a councellor?

Also, it'd be interesting to know what capacity they've worked in at the club.

Really? I could've sworn the sports psyche was chatting up Winderlich when he was on the bench, stirring him up, telling him how important he was... I thought it was fantastic that channel 7 showed it... that's the first AND last time I speak well of channel 7, worst commentating and filming of football matches period!

Wasn't that John Quinn?

He's definately not a sports psychologist.

It's not that kind of stuff that I'm talking about specifically. It's things like personality traits that are looked over. Clubs seem to feel that a focus on those things doesn't aid performance, when in fact, it would go along way in optimising training and general player wellbeing.

I'm not saying clubs don't support their players, because they do an excellent job with that kind of thing, but in a number of ways, they don't go the full distance in understanding them.

 

[TheDon35]

That is far from certain and i doubt they will take him but time will tell.

Either way apart from pick 1, not much is guaranteed in this draft

Wasn't saying that he would go to the dogs, just that he wouldn't get to number 6. IMO.

The dogs desperately need talls and given the wraps on him (I haven't seen much of him I should add), i'd be staggered if they didn't take him if he was still available.

Agreed though, by the sounds of it, after number 1, the next 6 or 7 are not locked in place and sound like a bit of a lucky dip.......

PLEASE GET LUCKY DEDORO.........

 

[TheDon35]

You are correct about the headless chicken.

What an awful awful selection. With Harvey the next year, Dordoro could have got the sack then. However, I think he is improving with time and is getting better. I have been satisfied with his recruiting of recent times.

Amazing how your drafting improves with 3 picks in the top 20 of a superdraft.

I also believe he should have been should have been shown the door a number of years ago and if Sheedy had to go last year, Dedoro definately had to go given his shocking drafting between him coming on board and 2005.

I think we're running the gauntlet by giving him another year. Given that he's still there though, fingers crossed he backs up last years good results.

 

[The Donners]

Amazing how your drafting improves with 3 picks in the top 20 of a superdraft.

I also believe he should have been should have been shown the door a number of years ago and if Sheedy had to go last year, Dedoro definately had to go given his shocking drafting between him coming on board and 2005.

I think we're running the gauntlet by giving him another year. Given that he's still there though, fingers crossed he backs up last years good results.

I agree, in one of the most important roles of a football club, he sucks ass!

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Amazing how your drafting improves with 3 picks in the top 20 of a superdraft.

I also believe he should have been should have been shown the door a number of years ago and if Sheedy had to go last year, Dedoro definately had to go given his shocking drafting between him coming on board and 2005.

I think we're running the gauntlet by giving him another year. Given that he's still there though, fingers crossed he backs up last years good results.

Amazing how you can draft better players with higher picks!!

 

[Longy413]

A sports pyschologist or a councellor?

A sports pyschologist.

 

[Merv]

Before people have Dodoro drawn and quartered maybe they should consider that he MIGHT have had his hands tied somewhat.

Now i also have my doubts on Dodoro and for a long time now have advocated that we should make MASSIVE improvements to our recruiting department, above what they already have.

BUT there is also a lot of talk that Dodoro didn't have the ultimate say in recruiting and Sheedy over ruled him many times and had a massive say in our recruiting.

Bradley seems like the EXACT type that Sheedy would want to draft.

I think most are happy with our ND draft selections over the last few years, funny how we finished low those years , so lets see how he goes with the NEW recruiting structure before we sack him.......

 

[Longy413]

Whether it was Sheedy or Dodoro that selected Bradley, it was still the right pick at the time.

 

[Merv]

Whether it was Sheedy or Dodoro that selected Bradley, it was still the right pick at the time.

I understand that and the only reason i used him as an example was he is the one that is continually bought up by those bagging our recruiting

EDIT: While the general consensus may have been that Bradley was the next best pick that doesn't mean that he was, as we have found out.

A good recruiters worth is not being able to pick good players from low picks as they can all do that but to pick good players full stop.

Maybe Dodoro didn't rate Bradley that highly, for example, and might have picked someone else had he had his way.

 

[ChipDouglas]

Before people have Dodoro drawn and quartered maybe they should consider that he MIGHT have had his hands tied somewhat.

Now i also have my doubts on Dodoro and for a long time now have advocated that we should make MASSIVE improvements to our recruiting department, above what they already have.

BUT there is also a lot of talk that Dodoro didn't have the ultimate say in recruiting and Sheedy over ruled him many times and had a massive say in our recruiting.

Bradley seems like the EXACT type that Sheedy would want to draft.

I think most are happy with our ND draft selections over the last few years, funny how we finished low those years , so lets see how he goes with the NEW recruiting structure before we sack him.......

I thought it was common knowledge that Sheedy picked the players, apparently not if the discussion on this thread is any indication. There is no doubt in my mind that Dodoro is looking forward to his first draft without interference from above.

 

[The Donners]

I thought it was common knowledge that Sheedy picked the players, apparently not if the discussion on this thread is any indication. There is no doubt in my mind that Dodoro is looking forward to his first draft without interference from above.

Well if God can't get it right what chance does Dodoro have?

 

[ant555]

Amazing how your drafting improves with 3 picks in the top 20 of a superdraft.

I also believe he should have been should have been shown the door a number of years ago and if Sheedy had to go last year, Dedoro definately had to go given his shocking drafting between him coming on board and 2005.

I think we're running the gauntlet by giving him another year. Given that he's still there though, fingers crossed he backs up last years good results.

Actually it is amazing what you can achieve when you get the whole year to concentrate on the matter at hand , watching the kids play.
Before 2006 Dodoro was also lumped with player welfare duties as well as a match day role with the coaching panel.
Is it any wonder our drafting may have suffered when our head recruiter is not really full time in that position ?
As far as his drafting record goes im not writing off 2002 and 2003 as shocking drafts just yet. 2004 is looking slightly thin and 2005 is still in the development stage.
I am not Dodoro's greatest fan (although some seem to think i am becasue i refuse to bag the guy ) but had not been given the greatest support in the role either. When he was promoted to the role his first draft he had no picks before 40. The efforts in 2000 and 2001 where deplorable but the coach's influence also played a role in it as well.The fact still remains that Dodoro probably shouldnt have got the role in the first place. They turned down a few more experienced people who applied for the job simply becasue Sheedy wanted Dodoro in that role. I think his inexperience certainly showed early on.Until recently he has not had the luxury of early picks that a few of the "gun" recruiters have had and to be honest i think his results have improved as he has gone on.
If he where to be replaced after this draft i would not have a problem with it but he isnt in the same role as he was anyway. Merv Keane is the person who has the head recruiters role and co ordinates all the recrutiers now. Is Dodoro the best recruiter going around. No he is not , you could say he is in the bottom half of the field but it doesnt really matter now given it is not specificly his role anymore ?

 

[The Donners]

Actually it is amazing what you can achieve when you get the whole year to concentrate on the matter at hand , watching the kids play.
Before 2006 Dodoro was also lumped with player welfare duties as well as a match day role with the coaching panel.
Is it any wonder our drafting may have suffered when our head recruiter is not really full time in that position ?
As far as his drafting record goes im not writing off 2002 and 2003 as shocking drafts just yet. 2004 is looking slightly thin and 2005 is still in the development stage.
I am not Dodoro's greatest fan (although some seem to think i am becasue i refuse to bag the guy ) but had not been given the greatest support in the role either. When he was promoted to the role his first draft he had no picks before 40. The efforts in 2000 and 2001 where deplorable but the coach's influence also played a role in it as well.The fact still remains that Dodoro probably shouldnt have got the role in the first place. They turned down a few more experienced people who applied for the job simply becasue Sheedy wanted Dodoro in that role. I think his inexperience certainly showed early on.Until recently he has not had the luxury of early picks that a few of the "gun" recruiters have had and to be honest i think his results have improved as he has gone on.
If he where to be replaced after this draft i would not have a problem with it but he isnt in the same role as he was anyway. Merv Keane is the person who has the head recruiters role and co ordinates all the recrutiers now. Is Dodoro the best recruiter going around. No he is not , you could say he is in the bottom half of the field but it doesnt really matter now given it is not specificly his role anymore ?

What? Is Merv Keane our new head recruiter? When did this happen?

 

[ant555]

What? Is Merv Keane our new head recruiter? When did this happen?

March this year when Dodoro was promoted to list manager. I think they call Mervs role senior recruting co ordinator.

 

[GoDons]

A sports pyschologist.

Is ther any chance that you can give me their specific role at the club?

I believe you, I'm just interested as to what capacity they work in.

 

[Longy413]

Is ther any chance that you can give me their specific role at the club?

I believe you, I'm just interested as to what capacity they work in.

Nope.

But I do know we've had one for a number of years.

There was one in place for the 1993 GF, that person has since been at Geelong.