Brendon Goddard will play his last game for Essendon on Friday night, after the football club decided not to offer him a new contract for 2019.
The former Saint was told on Monday that the club would be moving on without him for next season, despite Goddard’s wish to play on next year. Goddard addressed his teammates on Tuesday morning, which was posted on Essendonfc.com.au. “A lot of people probably thought I would be angry and bitter ... but in all honesty I’m not — I’m sad and disappointed because I love the game and I love being here,” Goddard said. “I know the brutality of football and the reality of it. “I respect the decision although I don’t agree with it. “Great organisations and footy clubs are built of making tough decisions and that’s why I’m not bitter and angry as much as people think I might be. “I walk away on Saturday a better person and that’s the most important thing.” The 33-year old will play his last game in the red and black on Friday night, against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Essendon coach John Worsfold said that Goddard found the news difficult to process and believed he could still play on with the Bombers. “He feels he can still contribute on the field at a really good level and that’s the hard part because he still has done that this year,” Worsfold told reporters on Tuesday. “Yesterday it was a jolt for him. Basically had to deliver the message and then let him have his space to digest it. I was comfortable with that and then had a couple of text messages with him later in the day and followed up with him this morning. “Overall he’s a realist, he understands the industry and understands there’s constant decisions being made about lists, selection week to week, and he understands what the club’s had to do.” Goddard played 205 games for St Kilda and 128 for Essendon. While playing for the Saints between 2003 and 2012, Goddard played in 16 finals and three Grand Finals — including the 2010 Grand Final rematch. He was selected twice as an All Australian and finished in the top three twice for the Best and Fairest. Upon joining Essendon in 2012, he captained 27 games and finished in the top three for the Best and Fairest three times.
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An Essendon member has issued a public apology through the football club's website after unleashing verbal abuse from over the fence at Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn.
It was late in the third quarter of the clash between Essendon and Melbourne last Sunday when Gawn received a free kick, which gave him a shot at goal from the boundary line. As Gawn went to retrieve the ball from the boundary, the unnamed man lent over the fence and hurled abuse at him. Gawn pointed out the supporter to a security guard, who spoke to the man while Gawn kicked the goal. The Demons ruckman then gave the supporter a smile before celebrating with teammates. Etihad Stadium staff or police did not take any action against the member, but Essendon did release a statement saying that the member was on his first and final warning and risks losing his membership if he is to misbehave again. "Essendon Football Club is committed to maintaining a safe, enjoyable, inclusive and family-friendly match-day environment," the statement reads. "Our members are bound by the club's code of conduct, and the behaviour displayed by the member at yesterday's game is not only unacceptable but is not consistent with the club's values. "The member in question has formally apologised to Max Gawn and the club for his actions and is deeply remorseful for his behaviour. "The club has issued the member with a first and final warning, and if found to breach the member code of conduct again will face further disciplinary action and have his membership revoked." The statement from the football club was then followed by the apology issued by the member, who was sickened and embarrassed by his behaviour. "I am truly sorry and embarrassed by my behaviour. Watching that back on TV I was sickened by my outburst especially as there were women and children nearby," the member stated. "I now realise that Max Gawn was just doing his job playing football and my actions were terrible. "This has made me look at myself and realise never to behave like that again. I would like to apologise to Max Gawn for my behaviour and also to my family who have been embarrassed and ashamed of my behaviour. "I would also like to apologise to Essendon Football Club for my actions as it embarrasses and affects the club I love." An Etihad Stadium spokesperson has stated that the member left the venue on his own accord after being interviewed by police. |
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