Barham's resignation follows Zach Merrett publicly addressing his potential trade and future at the club during the Brownlow Medal, where he expressed feelings of shame about possibly leaving Essendon for Hawthorn.

Essendon Football Club's president David Barham has resigned after a turbulent season marked by injuries, poor performance, and internal unrest, including the uncertain future of captain Zach Merrett.

Merrett's comments and ongoing trade speculation are part of broader unrest within the club, which also includes defender Jordan Ridley's desire to join Brisbane and other player movements.

The club finished 15th in 2025 with only six wins under coach Brad Scott, who took over in late 2022, following the sacking of Ben Rutten.

Despite the challenges, Barham expressed pride in his tenure since 2016, thanking his family, staff, players, and supporters, and highlighted efforts to transform the club for long-term success.

He emphasized the importance of unity, stability, and strategic planning, praising Welsh, Scott, and CEO Craig Vozzo, and confirmed his intention to fully exit the board in the coming weeks.

Welsh, a former player, is expected to implement changes aimed at improving the team's competitiveness after a period of mediocrity.

The club is undergoing an off-season overhaul of its high-performance program to address injuries and enhance on-field performance.

Barham looked forward to supporting the team as a fan and rejoining the supporters in the crowd, reflecting his emotional connection to the club.

Barham praised Welsh's leadership qualities and strategic thinking, expressing confidence in his ability to lead as the new President.

Overall, the club is navigating a challenging off-season with leadership changes, player movements, and strategic planning aimed at rebuilding and setting up for future success.

The season's difficulties, including a 13-game losing streak and player departures, have intensified internal turmoil and uncertainty about the club's future direction.