Overview
- Photos of a whiteboard at the Lions’ Brighton Homes Arena showed candid assessments of Essendon players after a member of the public snapped them and shared the images in a private fan Facebook group before they were removed.
- Coach Chris Fagan, speaking after a 64-point win over Essendon, called the act an illegal breach and criticised the photo-taker whom he described as an Essendon supporter seeking attention.
- Fagan said the notes were standard preparation and not degrading, and he spoke with former Lion Jaxon Prior to reassure him once the game finished.
- The leak is prompting a review of how the club lets community users into its facilities, though Fagan said community programs will continue.
- The notes included tags such as Zach Merrett “selfish,” Sam Durham “hot head,” and Ben McKay “low confidence,” while Essendon coach Brad Scott downplayed the issue as common practice that he would not want leaving his club.