Essendon has complained to the AFL after Brisbane Lions director Leigh Matthews launched a scathing attack on the struggling club during his radio commentary.
The Bombers are in the midst of a coaching search after another disappointing season, with an announcement expected soon.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Leigh Matthews ignites feud with Essendon
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But Matthews, who coached the Lions to three premierships between 2001-2003 and Collingwood to one in 1990, questioned why any coach with options would want the job at Essendon.
“If you desperately want a job, you’d go for it, right? But anyone who’s got choices ain’t going to Essendon,” Matthews told 3AW on Saturday.
“A coach is only as good as what’s around him in players and staff and support from the top, but I’d have no confidence to coach under that regime.”
The comments from Matthews, the AFL’s player of the 20th century and current Brisbane board member, sparked an immediate response from Essendon.
Bombers CEO Tim Roberts was made aware of the comments and sent a transcript to the AFL, asking what action would be taken.
The AFL indicated it was a club issue, prompting Essendon chairman Andrew Welsh to contact Brisbane chairman Andrew Wellington over the weekend.
Welsh expressed his displeasure that a Brisbane director would make such comments about Essendon. Wellington clarified that Matthews’ views were not those of the Brisbane board and that he was speaking in his independent capacity as a commentator. No apology was offered to Essendon.
“I think it just highlights how sensitive things are at Essendon at the moment,” Caroline Wilson told The Agenda Setters on Monday night.
“And look, Leigh has got himself into little pickles before, and I work with him on 3AW, and I love his strong opinions, whether you agree with them or not.
“But it’s just interesting that Essendon was so angered at, I suppose, a pretty sensitive time in their coaching search.”
Kane Cornes added that Matthews had “done nothing wrong”.
“His comments were fair,” Cornes said.
“His comments were reflective of, I think, a lot of people in the industry. Not everyone, but I think most people would listen to that and say that’s fair, as Leigh often is.
“And when you are a mess of a footy club, take your medicine. Don’t pick up the phone of the AFL and dob in someone who’s on a platform that everyone can hear; ‘Oh, did you hear what this person said about us? We’re upset’.
“You are a mess of a football club. All you can do right now is keep it in-house.
“They’ve done a pretty good job, pick the right person for the job, and rebuild slowly through actions, not by words, not by picking up the phone and having a sook and dobbing in a commentator like you’re in the schoolyard.
“That’s embarrassing for Essendon.”
