Brad Scott says review into Essendon injury crisis won't hurt player retention or recruitment

News.com.au

09-07-2025

Essendon coach Brad Scott says he won't try and 'guilt' any players unhappy with the club's high performance program or lack of success into staying amid reports the Bombers' injury crisis could spark an exodus.
But he also declared any suggestion contracted players, including the likes of Kyle Langford or even captain Zach Merrett, could leave because of the issue was a 'moot point' given their commitment had been made.
The Bombers have experienced what Scott called a 'perfect storm' of injuries, with a combination of bad luck as well as some 'controllable' injuries cruelling his team's season and sparking a review into all aspects of their high performance program.
Several stars, including Darcy Parish and Langford, have had repeat issues, with best-and-fairest winner Parish getting onto the field for just three games in 2025.
Scott said he had a 'high degree' of empathy with frustrated players but also a 'high degree of confidence' in those entrusted with keeping the players on the field.
'Having conversations with Darcy Parish and Kyle Langford at the moment, they are very frustrated and understandably so. They go into some deep, dark places,' Scott said on Wednesday.
'But I can also assure them you come out of it.
'If you look at our injuries throughout the year, the injuries you probably get frustrated with as a player, a coach and a club are what we categorise as preventable or controllable. 'Recurrence of injury fits into that category.
'We've got a bit of a perfect storm in terms of you can't lay blame at anyone's feet for Jye Caldwell being taken forward in a tackle and rupturing the syndesmosis. The same with our ACLs that were non-contact.
'There's a lot of things that would fit into the category. After all the work that has been done to assess, (some) would be put in the disappointing but unlucky category, and some others that are not in that category. We have a combination of all those things.'
Amid the injury crisis, Scott was adamant the club was doing a 'power of work' to create an environment for the players to be their best and wasn't concerned any outside perceptions could hit the club's recruiting or retention strategies.
'I know we are going through a difficult period at the moment and the environment you create for your players is critical,' he said.
'I have no doubt we can create the environment we want. Will that involve some change? Well, that will be for down the track.
'I think players have always got to think about what's best for your career, especially as you get to the latter stages. My attitude has always been, and when it comes to free agents, I don't overly coerce and I don't guilt or shame players into staying under some sort of guise of loyalty.
'We want to hold up our end of the bargain and want to create an environment where they want to be.
'We also commit to players and contract players. When you commit and are contracted, discussions about players assessing their futures is a bit of a moot point.'