Footy Dept. 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

  Age

  37

  Ht

  191cm

  Wt

  84kg

  Pos.

  Mid

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  21.1

  5star

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  11.0

  4star

  HB

  10.1

  5star

  M

  5.0

  5star

  T

  2.7

  4star

  CL

  1.7

  4star

  No current season stats available

  D

  14.6

  4star

  K

  9.4

  4star

  HB

  5.2

  4star

  M

  4.4

  4star

  T

  1.4

  4star

  – 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.”​

 

[Yoda_]

Yeah hindsight on draft picks is a rubbish thing to do most the kids picked were the best kids in juniors it’s more the development that’s the real issue is it not?

my gripe has nearly always been the contracts and renewals to players that bugs me.. hindsight is just the nails to this story

why did we need o downgrade Dylan Clarke? Mary Gleeson? Jake Long? Shaun McKernan? Because they were contracted for longer than they should have.. He has been so infatuated with being competitive Now that all long game sight has been lost for the betterment of the club. Even last year brining in so many free agents imho was a bad decision. We had been building through the youth and draft for once and all of a sudden, 4 list spots absorbed through free agents let alone the salary cap.

 

[ant555]

Not using using psychologists until late will haunt the club.
Adrian is a fruiterers son who is a charming guy but he never had to work through adversity so it made a fair bit of sense that he would struggle to identify the right characteristics in others.
He loves the club but simply does not have the skill set to do the job effectively. He has always tried to replicate rather than innovate.

It was not until Josh Mahoney came in that we hired someone ( can not remember her name ) to actually collate all the draft info from everyone into some sort of document rather than a random bunch of notes.
Of course the issue is Kevin Sheedy got in Dodoro's head after Judkins could not take anymore of Sheedy's interference and left for the Pies. Adrian basically got taught by a bloke who was had a limited understanding of how others where using the draft and basically had his own ideas based on recruiting in the 70's and 80's.
We have always been behind the curve. When I started in 2003 the club I worked for had 3 full time and 3 part time working in Victoria plus a full time in SA and WA . At that stage Essendon had Adrian full time with a couple of part time blokes and 1 scout in WA and SA. We where bloody lucky the SA and WA guys had some ability.
Matthew Knights dragged us to a minimum standard when he got the coaching job as part of his plan was the recruiting had to upgraded so we had a list manager and a head of recruiting which is where Merv Keane came in and we had some guys working under him.
Unfortunately with Adrian being Kevin Sheedy's man he also learnt the political game and knew who to align himself with so he has always had sympathizers in his corner. The saga basically gave him free reign for those years as we did have a list that was moving in the right direction before it blew up. He had the politic clout to see off Richardson who questioned his decisions and then Mahoney that did the same.
Finally he has run out of room to maneuver and others have taken control of recruiting but he still has enough support that they will probably find him some other non football project to do.
Have to say my experience with him has always been positive . Good guy who liked a chat when I saw him at training even though he knew I was doing a small part time role elsewhere. He was always happy to talk Essendon or whatever. He is likeable.
Problem is you are right. He has never been good. He has always been average and too smart for his own good as far as looking for players he can turn into something rather than looking at the obvious. He was never at the cutting edge and he went off plan a lott. There was a lot of half arsed stuff.

 

[ant555]

my gripe has nearly always been the contracts and renewals to players that bugs me.. hindsight is just the nails to this story

why did we need o downgrade Dylan Clarke? Mary Gleeson? Jake Long? Shaun McKernan? Because they were contracted for longer than they should have.. He has been so infatuated with being competitive Now that all long game sight has been lost for the betterment of the club. Even last year brining in so many free agents imho was a bad decision. We had been building through the youth and draft for once and all of a sudden, 4 list spots absorbed through free agents let alone the salary cap.

Think you are barking up the wrong tree on the free agents last year. Firstly it was Brad Scotts call. We did not have the early draft picks and you do not want to be taking too many picks past 60.
Then there is the fact that Goldy served his purpose. They knew Draper was going to have a slow start and Bryan was not going to be ready to take on the number 1 spot.
McKay may have tailed off (and is playing with a few niggles) but he will hold down full back for 5 or 6 years. Gresham has his limitations but when he has actually played forward he has either kicked goals or made the tackles inside 50. He has two years to go and is sort of a stop gap. Duursma is a win but he was a trade.
I am about to post my Hawks rebuild stuff and they did pretty much the same. Used early draft picks and traded for some lesser players who could play roles.
Melbourne also did similar early doors. That had a few players that only lasted 3 or so seasons as they moved on.
The best builds have been done taking 3 to 5 draft picks. Trading for cheap players and using the FA or delisted FA to garb some short to mid term guys. Lets face it we did get Caddy and Roberts who both look good. Verdict out on Lual. Visentini looks good and it was not rated a really strong draft past around pick 25 or so.

 

[Yoda_]

Think you are barking up the wrong tree on the free agents last year. Firstly it was Brad Scotts call. We did not have the early draft picks and you do not want to be taking too many picks past 60.
Then there is the fact that Goldy served his purpose. They knew Draper was going to have a slow start and Bryan was not going to be ready to take on the number 1 spot.
McKay may have tailed off (and is playing with a few niggles) but he will hold down full back for 5 or 6 years. Gresham has his limitations but when he has actually played forward he has either kicked goals or made the tackles inside 50. He has two years to go and is sort of a stop gap. Duursma is a win but he was a trade.
I am about to post my Hawks rebuild stuff and they did pretty much the same. Used early draft picks and traded for some lesser players who could play roles.
Melbourne also did similar early doors. That had a few players that only lasted 3 or so seasons as they moved on.
The best builds have been done taking 3 to 5 draft picks. Trading for cheap players and using the FA or delisted FA to garb some short to mid term guys. Lets face it we did get Caddy and Roberts who both look good. Verdict out on Lual. Visentini looks good and it was not rated a really strong draft past around pick 25 or so.

My gripe on the free agents was we had the cattle developing, we just haven't wanted to play them. Sometimes the list spot is more valuable than the competitive nature we desire (Id trade Shiel or Parish on this proviso that we've got guys who could fill that void).

We always seem to be on he right path and then trade away picks or bring in FA's. Feels like it happens every 3 - 5 years and then when we don't get that boost we rehash in a desperate search to stay relevant competitive.

 

[Here_we_come]

Both things can simultaneously be true

Not denying that. But at least development has seen some change to try and improve and most people only blame development to shift blame away from recruiting.

 

[ant555]

My gripe on the free agents was we had the cattle developing, we just haven't wanted to play them. Sometimes the list spot is more valuable than the competitive nature we desire (Id trade Shiel or Parish on this proviso that we've got guys who could fill that void).

We always seem to be on he right path and then trade away picks or bring in FA's. Feels like it happens every 3 - 5 years and then when we don't get that boost we rehash in a desperate search to stay relevant competitive.

My gripe with that is we do play them . When they are ready . Take Gresham. Are you saying Alwyn and Jayden are ready for a full season?
Bryan was not ready to play number 1 ruck to start the year.
Like I said. Others have done the same .
We did not trade away any picks this time around. The only picks trading was to get up the order to get Caddy.
Seems to me you should do some research.

 

[Kong]

It was not until Josh Mahoney came in that we hired someone ( can not remember her name ) to actually collate all the draft info from everyone into some sort of document rather than a random bunch of notes.

That was what, 2019?

That is crazy. Basic entry level recruitment shit. Jesus Christ.

 

[ant555]

That was what, 2019?

That is crazy. Basic entry level recruitment shit. Jesus Christ.

Around that time yes.

 

[Lore]

Not using using psychologists until late will haunt the club.
Adrian is a fruiterers son who is a charming guy but he never had to work through adversity so it made a fair bit of sense that he would struggle to identify the right characteristics in others.
He loves the club but simply does not have the skill set to do the job effectively. He has always tried to replicate rather than innovate.

It isn't surprising given where we are at, I keep thinking about Bombers interview on footy classified where he outlined that people just assumed Essendon were a good club. We clearly didn't invest in any forward thinking for well over 20 years.

An article popped up on my newsfeed this morning that was an interesting take on sports psychology;

Elite athletes are generally smarter than us – cognitive sciences can explain why

Elite athletes are highly specialised decision-makers because they practise it every day, which is why, on many cognitive tasks, they’re smarter than ‘the average Joe.’

theconversation.com

Although the fact it goes back to Babe Ruth in the 1920s makes it even more of an indictment — we’re 100 years behind the eight ball!

 

[Bjchan13]

 

[BomberTime]

Put out your jackets.

 

[Phone]

And people say this hasn't been a successful season.

 

[bommer16]

Take care Adrian. All the best.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Coup completed

 

[Petrify]

Sheedy leaves, next day Dodoro leaves.

I bet Sheedy gave some ultimatum about him leaving if Dodoro is gone and the board was like seeya Sheedy

 

[dank420_]

Sheedy and Dodo out in the same week?

The media team know when to release the news!

 

[dank420_]

Goddamn this is great. I'm getting drunk.

 

[Corleone]

I can't believe it.

I don't want to dance on anyone's grave, but this has been a long time coming and finally after all this time we can move out of the shadow that this person has had over our whole club.

Goodbye Adrian. I don't recall saying good luck.

 

[eth-dog]

Love him or hate him, he loved the place. He was flawed and it's past due that he was moved on but thank you for your service.

Hopefully you can see some success soon.

 

[silk]

Wow. EFC must really like my Bigfooty previews.

 

[Milanista28]

Good. Enjoy whatever is next AD

 

[Here_we_come]

About 15 years late, but better late than never.

We can now finally move on. Will be celebrating tonight.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

One thing I’d say - anybody who thinks the departure of Sheedy and Dodoro means some magical uptick in fortunes better think again.

Plenty more to be fixed beyond those two.

 

[Tassieboy]

Thank god.

 

[Mercurial89]

After seeing what we have done to sheeds and Dodo I cannot wait to see what we do to this list.