Essendon parts ways with club's head of high performance after injury-riddled season
Sean Murphy was out of contract at the end of the season and days after Bombers coach Brad Scott said the club would 'reallocate resources' to player health, the man responsible for fitness has been moved on.
It comes just hours after Essendon fielded a 13th debutant for 2025 in a 49-point loss to GWS on Thursday night.
They were without 16 players for the clash after Nate Caddy, Ben Hobbs, Will Setterfield and Nic Martin joined a long list of sidelined players this week.
But after 'discussions between Murphy and the club', it was agreed the fitness boss would not continue beyond this year.
'We want to thank Sean for his commitment to this role over the past six seasons at the Essendon Football Club,' Essendon football boss Daniel McPherson said.
'These jobs are all-encompassing and on behalf of the Essendon Football Club, I want to thank Sean for the professionalism and integrity that he has carried himself with, particularly throughout what has been a really challenging season in 2025.
'Our high performance and medical team is critical to the success of our football program, and we're committed to undertaking all necessary work required to help us improve in this area. This decision enables us to take a fresh approach and reshape the team as we prepare for a crucial off-season ahead of the 2026 AFL campaign.'
Murphy joined the Bombers ahead of the 2020 season and has been in charge for the past six seasons.
Before losing to GWS, Scott said change was needed.
'I do have the utmost confidence in the people who are looking at our program, (but) there's no doubt we will relocate resources to that space,' he said.
'We know better than anyone this year how important it is to get your players out fit and available.'
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