Done at Dons, Goddard weighs options
IT wasn’t an easy decision, but Essendon coach John Worsfold is confident moving on Brendon Goddard will prove to be the right one.
After weeks of speculation about his future, the Bombers announced yesterday they would not offer the 33-yearold utility a new deal.
“They’re always tough decisions, weighing up so many factors and trying to take into account so many different aspects,” Worsfold said.
“With (Brendon) in particular, who has been such a great contributor to the game and to our club and is still playing strong footy . . . it made it very tough. But it’s a decision that the club had to make.
“We’re just looking at the big picture for the footy club, where the list is at . . . what will it all look like in six or eight months time. Taking all that into account the club has come to this decision.”
While no one factor counted against Goddard, Worsfold conceded the form of rising star nominee Aaron Francis, Jordan Ridley and Mason Redman — younger players who could play similar roles — was a key aspect of their decision.
Friday night’s season- ending game against Port Adelaide will be his last game for the Bombers, but Goddard is keeping his options open.
“I still feel as though I have something to give but fully respect the club has to make these hard decisions and it speaks to the depth of younger talent we have on our list,” he said in a statement.
“The club has been great to me over my six years and I feel I have been great for the club.
“I am at peace with the decision but still weighing up my options, given it is still very raw, I am taking some time to think about the future.”
Goddard has played 333 games since he was the No.1 pick at the 2002 draft — 205 for St Kilda from 2003-12 and then 128 for Essendon.
He joined Essendon at the height of the supplements debacle and captained the Bombers in 2016, when they finished last as a large group of players served doping suspensions.
Goddard has been a fiery player, often in the spotlight for berating his own teammates, but he is also a two-time All-Australian and won Essendon’s best and fairest award in 2013. One of his career highlights was the soaring mark he took in the last quarter of the 2010 Grand Final draw with Collingwood.