“The thing we want to do at Essendon is create a world-class football program,so players look at it and say,you know,I think I can be the best player I can be at Essendon,” said Scott,when asked if the Bombers would follow a similar free agency path to the one adopted when he was coaching North.
“If we can create that,you know I think we’ll be able to present a pretty compelling argument to just about any free agent.
“But managers and players still pick up the phone ringing you - you know,I want to talk to you about coming to play for you. That was a shock to me.”
New Essendon skipper Zach Merrett considered his options and examined Essendon’s set-up closely,as Scott suggested for Parish - Carlton,Collingwood and Port Adelaide were among the suitors - beforesigning a six-year deal with the Dons in 2021.
Scott tried unsuccessfully to persuade Irishman Conor McKenna to return to Essendon after he went home to Ireland,but was more successful,in concert with the football department,in persuading Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti to return after the livewire forward’s retirement before last year.
Scott said that Essendon also had needed to be convinced the forward was committed.
“It wasn’t just,‘Hey ‘Walla’[McDonald-Tipungwuti],we want you back under any circumstances’. It was,he had to convince all of us that he was willing to do the work. We talked to him very plainly about how hard it was going to be and how far back he was coming from.
“Very early on it became clear that he was committed to doing what was required,but he’s still got a long way to go.”
Scott said “Walla” had not missed a training session. “In terms of holding up his end of the bargain,he’s done that and more. He’s giving himself a chance.”
On Parish’s role,Scott said playing to his ball-winning strength - as the new coach intends - and having a strong defensive game could co-exist.
“Darcy’s got you know elite footwork,he’s really agile - and Zach Merrett’s in this category too - there’s no reason why Darcy can’t become a really good defensive midfielder.
“Zach and Darce will be charged with the responsibility of leading our midfield and that’s all phases. But that being said,yes he’s an elite ball hunter. So it makes sense to have him hunting the ball as often as possible.“
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