Essendon Football Club has parted ways with senior coach Brad Scott after a disappointing AFL campaign, the club announced on Tuesday. Scott, who took over at the start of the 2023 season, was dismissed following a string of poor results that saw the Bombers finish outside the top eight for the third consecutive year.
Poor Performance Leads to Decision
The decision comes after Essendon lost 10 of their last 12 matches, including a humiliating 89-point defeat to Geelong in Round 20. Club president David Barham said the move was necessary to restore the club's competitiveness. "We thank Brad for his dedication and hard work, but the results have not met our expectations," Barham said. "We believe a change is needed to take the club forward."
Scott's Tenure at Essendon
Scott, 48, joined Essendon after a successful stint as an assistant coach at Richmond, where he helped the Tigers win three premierships. However, his tenure at Essendon was marred by inconsistency. The Bombers won 12 games in his first season but missed the finals, and their win tally dropped to nine in 2024 and seven in 2025. This season, they have managed just five wins from 18 matches, with three games remaining.
"I am disappointed not to have been able to deliver the success the club and its supporters deserve," Scott said in a statement. "I wish Essendon all the best for the future."
Search for New Coach Begins
Essendon has already begun the search for a new coach, with assistant coach James Byrne taking over as interim for the remainder of the season. Potential candidates include former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and current Port Adelaide assistant Josh Carr. The club hopes to appoint a permanent replacement before the end of the season.
"We will conduct a thorough process to find the right person to lead this club," Barham added. "Our priority is to build a team that can consistently compete for finals and ultimately win premierships."
Scott's sacking marks the fourth coaching change at Essendon in the past decade, highlighting the club's ongoing struggles to find stability and success in the AFL.
