If you think Essendon president Andrew Welsh is the most ‘powerful’ figure at the club … think again
“OK, on The Agenda Setters tonight, we’re going to tell you who the most powerful, influential person at Essendon is,” 7NEWS sports reporter Tom Morris said on Wednesday night.
“It’s not Andrew Welsh, it’s not Tim Roberts (the CEO), it’s not even the future coach, it’s someone who’s not on the payroll. It’s this man. It’s Nick Gieschen.”
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
Morris explained that Gieschen represented two of the Bombers’ key players — former captain Zach Merrett and star defender Jordan Ridley — both of whom are seeking moves away from the club.
Ridley wants to relocate to Queensland, while Merrett is again pushing for a transfer to Hawthorn.
Merrett dumped his former manager, Tom Petroro, in January this year, in the fallout of his failed trade request to Hawthorn in 2025.
Veteran midfielder Zach Merrett is still trying to get out of Essendon. Credit: Seven
Merrett then returned to his previous manager, Nick Gieschen, the son of the AFL icon Jeff Gieschen.
Jeff coached Richmond from 1997-1999, was also the AFL’s umpires boss, and played at the highest level, while his brother Rye Gieschen serves as head of recruiting at Richmond.
Gieschen’s influence extends beyond Essendon, with his management group also representing Gold Coast’s Ben King, who is weighing up whether to stay with the Suns or join Hawthorn.
“Unleash the Giesch 2.0,” 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said, referring to the famous catch-cry when Nick’s father, Jeff, was coaching Richmond.
Cleary wondered, however, whether the Hawks could land both Merrett and King if the latter also decides to move, but Morris thought that scenario was unlikely.
“That would force Nick to enact Plan B,” Morris said.
“He will be also trying to get the best deal for Essendon as well. That’s his role as a negotiator in all of this.”
That deal for the Bombers will shape the future of the club, as Essendon insiders begin the mission to make the Bombers a destination club again.
Merrett is a six-time best-and-fairest winner at Essendon, while Ridley also won a best-and-fairest award in 2020.
In other AFL news, former Carlton list boss Nick Austin has confirmed tensions existed between former coach Michael Voss and star forward Charlie Curnow during their time together at the Blues.
Speaking to the News Corp, Austin said Curnow “had some things that Michael would have liked to be different, and vice versa”.
The revelation contradicts the club’s previous denials of any falling out between the pair.
Brisbane Lions veteran Ryan Lester is set to sign another one-year deal if he chooses to play on into 2027.
The popular defender has signed approximately multiple one-year contracts and remains vital to the Lions’ defensive structure, typically taking the opposition’s most dangerous forward.
Carlton’s Adam Saad is unlikely to remain at the Blues next season despite wanting to play on. The out-of-contract defender is keen to continue his career, most likely at a Victorian club.
Meanwhile, GWS Giants midfielder Tom Green’s future remains unclear, with the club offering various contract structures including a reported seven-year option.
Tasmania has also expressed interest, while Cleary said there were still “talks to be had”.
As for Green’s teammate Toby Greene, Cleary said he had Geelong as favourites to land the Giants’ spiritual leader.
AFL clubs’ blind spot revealed in flawed search for coaches
2 min read
Dark horse emerges in race to sign Lions star Lachie Neale
2 min read
