The fallout from Essendon's failed chase for Alastair Clarkson and the sacking of coach Ben Rutten has continued, with club CEO Xavier Campbell handing in his resignation, club legend Simon Madden resigning from the board, and premiership defender Sean Wellman also preparing to step away.
Campbell leaves the club after 14 years, including almost nine as chief executive, having tendered his resignation to new president David Barham.
Campbell announced his resignation at a meeting with staff and players on Wednesday morning.
The club received widespread criticism for its treatment of Rutten, who was left in limbo as the Bombers made a last-ditch attempt to secure the services of Clarkson before the four-time premiership coach rejected the club in favour of North Melbourne.
The move for Clarkson was preceded by a change in the executive, with president Paul Brasher – who had backed Rutten – resigning from his position, to be replaced by Barham.
Rutten was sacked the day after the final game of the season, a 66-point loss to Richmond.
In a statement, Campbell called for unity at the club under new leadership.
"There is an opportunity to take the club on to finals success and ultimately, a premiership. And I hope as much as anyone that we do that.
"What this needs is; a focused and well-supported president, a board united in its intent, strategy and voice, working in lockstep with management, supported by loyal and committed members and fans who believe in the club, the direction it's heading and the team that can take it there."
Campbell took over as chief executive at the club in the wake of the supplements saga, which saw Essendon banned from finals for the 2013 season and 34 players banned for 12 months after a protracted series of findings and appeals.
Under his term, the Bombers' financial position improved, and membership nearly doubled, reaching a new record of more than 88,000 this month.
President thanks Campbell for 'strong leadership'
Barham thanked Campbell for his service to the club and praised his efforts during a difficult period.
"He assumed the position at a time that required strong leadership during the most turbulent time in our history," Barham said in the statement.
"He tirelessly led to reform the club's governance, cultural and structural processes following the fallout of that difficult period and managed very complex situations through the legal procedures, including the AFL Anti-Doping and WADA appeals and sanctions processes as well as being instrumental in player and sponsor retention during this most challenging period."
Barham praised Campbell for his "undoubted commitment" to his role.
The club has set in train an external review, which is expected to deliver findings quickly as the Bombers search for a new coach.
Barham said Essendon would begin the process to find a new CEO in coming days, and that Campbell would help the club in the transition period.
Meanwhile, Norm Smith medal winner and 378-game Essendon champ Madden confirmed to ABC Sport that he resigned from the Bombers board on Monday morning, having chosen not to stand for another term.
"I have resigned from the Essendon Board as the board is moving in a direction to which I am not aligned," Madden said.
"A club must have everyone moving in the same direction, and to be fair to our new president David Barham and the rest of the board members, and in the best interests of the club, I have come to the conclusion that this is the right outcome. It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the Essendon community and I thank you for your support over my time.
"I wish the club every success in the future, and I eagerly look forward to the first round of the AFLW season and our game against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night."
Finance director Peter Allen also advised of his intention to step away from the board following the club’s Annual General Meeting in December, while premiership defender Sean Wellman will remain on the board until a new football director has been appointed, at which point "he will step down following his transition of duties", the club said.
Outgoing president Brasher also said he would step away from the board.
“A good board will always have healthy debate and a diversity of views on issues affecting the organisation. In most cases, once everybody has had his or her say, the board moves on united in support of the majority view,” Brasher said.
“Occasionally though, on the most fundamental issues, directors who hold minority views are best to get out of the way so that the board can go forward totally united in implementing the decisions which have been made. That is what is happening here.
“There is absolutely no bitterness – every director on this board wants only to see our team successful. We will work with Dave to do whatever is necessary to ensure the smoothest possible transition to new directors and to prevent disruption to the Board’s oversight of important projects currently under way, including completion of the financial statements for the current year."
