Former Hawthorn figure floated to join Essendon after Bombers announce immediate departure
Essendon have been ravaged by injuries this year, with 11 first-choice players missing on Thursday night in their 48-point loss to GWS. Murphy's job had become virtually untenable, and the Bombers made the decision to part ways with him five weeks before the end of the AFL regular season.
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,' football boss Daniel McPherson said in a statement on Friday.
'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.'
Essendon equal unwanted record due to injuries
On Thursday night, Essendon equalled the record for having the most debutants in a single season in the AFL era. Forward Liam McMahon became the 13th Bombers player to debut this season when kicked two goals against the Giants.
Sitting 14th with a 6-11 record and no chance to make the finals, coach Brad Scott has spoken about wanting Essendon to be "a no-excuse football club." He said on Thursday night: "We'd like to have better availability, but we field 23 fit players every week and we give opportunity to guys who deserve it. There's challenges within that but what we can demand is effort, intent and the way that we compete and that largely tonight was very good against a very good opposition."
RELATED:
Collingwood urged to enquire about 'disgruntled' Hawthorn player
Harley Reid's eight-word taunt for Jason Horne-Francis revealed
Nic Martin will miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his ACL against Richmond last Saturday, while there are long-term concerns around the health of Zach Reid (hamstring) and Nik Cox (concussion). Nate Caddy, Ben Hobbs and Will Setterfield all joined a long list of sidelined players this week.
Former Hawthorn and Carlton figure could land at Essendon
Murphy said in a statement: 'I'd like to thank the Essendon Football Club for the opportunity to lead the High Performance program over the past six seasons. It's been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated and professional staff, and I want to acknowledge their commitment throughout my time at the Club. I am proud of the support shown within our High Performance team to each other and the playing group in what has been a challenging season – it is a testament to the character of this team."
Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, leading reporter Tom Morris said Inness and Russell are names being discussed by the Bombers to take over Murphy's role. Russell previously worked with Carlton and Hawthorn in their high performance team, while Inness currently holds the same role at the West Coast Eagles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Veteran James O'Connor answers fly half SOS as Wallabies confirm squad for Lions series
Veteran playmaker James O'Connor has answered Australia's fly half SOS ahead of the British and Irish Lions series, with the 35-year-old given a shock Wallabies recall. O'Connor returns to Joe Schmidt's squad for the three Tests against the tourists after the hosts lost first-choice No 10 Noah Lolesio to injury in their win over Fiji last week. In the latest chapter in a remarkable, and somewhat curious, international career, O'Connor could be in line to add to his 64 caps 17 years after becoming the youngest ever Wallaby, and may feature against the Lions for a second time having started all three Tests in 2013. 144-cap prop James Slipper was also involved 12 years ago and is another experienced head in a largely settled squad named by head coach Schmidt, though Brumbies flyer Corey Toole and Western Force flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny could press for debuts. 'As Wallabies coaches, we have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls,' Schmidt said. 'We're conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they'll be competing for Test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare. 'We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first Test [in Brisbane] in eight days. We are excited by what's to come.' O'Connor is joined among the fly half options in the squad by youngster Tom Lynagh - son of Wallabies great Michael - and Ben Robertson, who can also play at full-back. The 35-year-old enjoyed a strong Super Rugby Pacific season in the colours of the Crusaders in Christchurch, and will join Leicester Tigers in the Premiership next season. James O'Connor featured against the Lions in 2013 (REUTERS) "Noah's injury opened up a doorway for me. And even then, again, I still didn't think I'd made it," O'Connor said in Brisbane. "So, to be here right now and to be given the opportunity to be with this group of men, I'm bloody excited." France-based lock Will Skelton is the lone overseas inclusion in Schmidt's 36-man party. After the opening Test at Suncorp Stadium, Australia host the Lions in Melbourne and Sydney. Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson. Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tom Lynagh: The Surrey-educated Australia legend's son handed shock start against the Lions
Being a Wallabies fly half hopeful with his surname has seen plenty of pressure already put upon his slender shoulders, but for Tom Lynagh, the twin burdens of hope and expectation are about to be ladened like never before. 36 years since father Michael seized the first match of British and Irish Lions series with a display of fly half mastery, his son will take on the tourists after earning an unlikely election to No 10. It is hard to describe this as anything other than an exceptionally gutsy call by Joe Schmidt, the Australia head coach, for the opening Test in Brisbane. Of course, these circumstances have rather been forced upon him: Noah Lolesio's desperately disappointing injury against Fiji has ruled him out of the series, while Carter Gordon, made king by a previous regime ahead of the 2023 World Cup, has swapped codes to the NRL. But the safer play from the Wallabies boss surely would have been to turn to Ben Donaldson after a strong Super Rugby Pacific campaign, or to James O'Connor after his surprise recall – the veteran has experience of being a surprise choice at fly half in a Lions series from 2013. Tom Lynagh is following in the footsteps of his father, Michael Lynagh (Getty Images) But Schmidt has perhaps recognised that this is a time to gamble. And gamble he has. Lynagh is just 22; he has worn Wallaby green and gold at international level for exactly one hour, and did not even travel on the European tour in November. He has not had a hit-out at all since 6 June, an encounter with the Crusaders that ended prematurely after concussion. Yet in a series that may prove crucial to the future of Australian rugby, Schmidt has placed a bet on pedigree and potential. The head coach is a noted schemer but it would be fair to say that he has looked like a mathematician searching for a solution to an equation he has not fully grasped in the two weeks since Lolesio's injury. O'Connor – who probably should have been in the initial squad for the Fiji game – was scrambled in at short notice and informed of his selection after a chance encounter with a group of squadmates in Brisbane, while the failure to give Lynagh a run in any of the pre-Test series matches looks a major misstep in retrospect. Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt has made a bold selection call (AP) But there is much in the make-up of the young playmaker to suggest that he might just rise to the challenge in front of him. The progeny of many a sporting great have had a golden path paved for them – consciously or unconsciously – by their parent but Lynagh has fought to forge his own journey. Like brother Louis, the Italy wing, Tom was born near Treviso, where their father had spent five years as a player and met their mother, Isabella. The family soon relocated to England, where the elder two of three sons took up the game in the minis section at Richmond RFC, with Tom going on to Epsom College and the Harlequins academy. Where most would have been content to remain on a travelator to the top in leafy southwest London, a then 17-year-old Tom had other ideas, declaring an ambition to move in with his grandparents in Queensland to pursue an Australian dream in the depths of the pandemic. In a different world, perhaps he might have remained at Quins and been jostling for position behind Marcus Smith; now, with the English fly half expected to be named on the Lions' bench, the pair could come into direct opposition. Tom Lynagh has been given a huge opportunity (Getty Images) In a way, the move away from London has perhaps helped temper certain expectations that might have been placed on Lynagh within an English game that can build a fly half up just as quickly as it can dress them down. Despite the famous name, the Australian public will not necessarily have been monitoring his progress that closely – until now. 'I'm really excited for Tom,' Schmidt said. 'He's got a quiet confidence about him, which gives us a quiet confidence. He's fitted in really well this week. He has given us the confidence and the players the confidence that he is going to run the game really well for us. His kicking game is strong, he's got good acceleration and he's really brave. 'It's Suncorp [Stadium], it's his home track, it's a fantastic opportunity for him. We twice had him lined up for his first start last year and he picked up little niggles. It's probably not ideal to be starting your first Test for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions, but you've got to start somewhere. It not now, when?' As Schmidt mentioned, Lynagh does have familiarity with Suncorp Stadium, if not overwhelmingly so with the players around him. It is a slight surprise to see scrum half Jake Gordon preferred to Lynagh's fellow Red Tate McDermott after an injury hit season; connecting quickly with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will be key. Up front, Rob Valetini and Will Skelton are significant injury absentees with debutant Nick Champion de Crespigny completing the back row alongside Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson. A fast start is surely a must for the Wallabies as the curtain comes up in Brisbane – and after a surprise casting in the starring role, the spotlight will fix on one man. Wallabies XV to face the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane (Saturday 19 July, 11am BST): 1 James Slipper, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams; 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Tom Lynagh; 11 Harry Potter, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, 14 Max Jorgensen; 15 Tom Wright. 6 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Carlo Tizzano; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Australia fly half Noah Lolesio set to miss Lions series after undergoing neck surgery
Australia fly half Noah Lolesio is set to miss the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions after undergoing surgery at hospital after a worrying incident during the Wallabies' win over Fiji. Lolesio was carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace during the second half of the clash in Newcastle after his head collided with the pitch following a tackle attempt. The 25-year-old was discharged from hospital later on Sunday to rejoin the rest of the Wallabies squad at their team hotel, though returned to undergo surgery on Tuesday following further medical assessment. Rugby Australia have now confirmed that the playmaker will take a period of time away from the game, though it is hoped that we will make a full recovery. 'Firstly, we were relieved that Noah was up and moving well when he returned to the team hotel after his initial hospital visit in Newcastle on Sunday,' Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt said. 'Further to that, it's an added relief for everyone, especially his family, that successful surgery now has him on the road to recovery.' Lolesio had also been taken off on a stretcher following a collision during the Brumbies' win over the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific back in May, though was later cleared of serious injury. Noah Lolesio was taken off on a stretcher during Australia's win over Fiji (AP) His absence from the series against the Lions, with begins in Brisbane on Saturday 19 July, leaves Schmidt facing a decision at fly half with Lolesio seemingly primed to take the No 10 shirt. Ben Donaldson, who can also play at full-back, featured off the bench in the narrow win against Fiji, while 22-year-old Tom Lynagh - son of Wallabies legend Michael - is also part of Schmidt's squad, though is inexperienced. The Wallabies boss is set to update his squad ahead of the Lions series later this week.
