“Continuing to call the shots? New development in Essendon’s succession plan emerges with Dodoro’s surprising ‘parting gift’.”

Essendon’s list manager, Adrian Dodoro, appears to still be heavily involved in the club’s list management, despite earlier announcements suggesting a step back from his role. Reports indicate that Dodoro is actively handling contract negotiations, including recent deals for players like Jordan Ridley and Kyle Langford, which were front-ended to create future cap space. This additional flexibility could potentially be used to pursue a star forward in the future.

Despite the initial announcement of stepping back in favor of Matt Rosa, who took on the role of AFL Talent & Operations Manager, Dodoro’s continued involvement suggests a different story. Dodoro himself stated last year that after nearly three decades in the role, it was time for a change to achieve a better work-life balance. However, his ongoing role indicates that the transition may not be as immediate as initially thought.

Rosa, a former player with experience at West Coast Eagles and Gold Coast Suns, was chosen by Dodoro and the club’s leadership to succeed him in the role, indicating a planned succession. Dodoro’s continued involvement could be seen as a way to ensure a smooth transition and maintain stability in the club’s list management during this period.