Essendon has made significant changes to its list management team, with former Eagle and Sun Matthew Rosa taking on the role of AFL Talent & Operations Manager at Tullamarine.
Meanwhile, Rosa's path to the position was paved after veteran Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro made the call to "step back" from his official post of Essendon's General Manager of List and Recruiting.
Dodoro - a long-term main character during past off-seasons - will officially make the move following November's AFL Draft.
Since hanging up his boots, Rosa has held roles with both the West Coast Eagles as a coach and with WAFL outfit Peel Thunder, leading the state-league club's football operations -ย a post he continues to hold ahead of the Thunder's grand final berth this weekend.
Within a statement released by the club on Tuesday evening, Essendon's CEO Craig Vozzo hailed Rosa's signature as a boon for the Bombers.
โMatt is a high-quality person and leader, and he has worked extremely hard to prepare himself for this important role. He has done the hard yards to develop a broad skillset and expertise. We are excited to have Matt on board to lead our Talent, List Strategy and Operations functions moving forward and we look forward to welcoming him, Hayley and their 3 children to the Club,โ Vozzo told Bombers Media.
Rosa said he was excited about the opportunity at the Bombers.
โAfter going through a thorough process, it is clear there is a strong commitment to do the hard work required to set up a period of sustained success. I'm looking forward to being part of that journey,โ Rosa said.
โThis is a great opportunity for me and I'm excited to be able to build upon a talented young list and help this Club strive for success. Essendon is a special club with a rich football history and my family and I are excited to be part of its future.โ
Rosa will make the move across the Nullarbor ahead of the 2024 season, with the club announcing that the 36-year-old will be in place ahead of Christmas.
Within the same statement, Dodoro offered an explanation for his decision to recede, claiming that his portfolio had been "taxing" on both him and his family.
โI approached Craig back in April to discuss the concept of transition and I feel that now is the right time to make this decision,โ the Essendon Life Member expressed.
"I sat on the panel to assist in the selection of Matt, and I believe he will be an outstanding acquisition to the Club for years to come. I look forward to working with Matt moving forward.
โThese roles are very taxing on individuals and their families and it just feels like that. After nearly three decades and with stability in key roles at the Club, now is the right time for me to take a step back in to a role which will provide me and my family with a better work life balance.
โMore immediately, we have an important few months coming up and I'm looking forward to playing my part to deliver a strong Trade and Draft period for the Club to ensure that the playing list is in a strong position for the future.โ
Dodoro will have work to do before the trade period, with each of Brandon Zerk-Thatcher,ย Jaiden Hunter,ย Massimo D'Ambrosio,ย Patrick Voss and William Snelling all without deals for next season.
Though few words have been offered on the latter four, Zerk-Thatcher requested a trade home to South Australia last week, signalling his intentions to join Port Adelaide.
Essendon will also attack the draft with a healthy hand, currently holding picks 8, 27, 46, 67 and 82.
