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AFL: Essendon high performance boss Sean Murphy sacked
AFL: Essendon high performance boss Sean Murphy sacked

The Australian

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • The Australian

AFL: Essendon high performance boss Sean Murphy sacked

The Essendon injury crisis has resulted in the club parting ways with the head of high performance five weeks before the end of a disastrous 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 48-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. Will Setterfield and Nic Martin are on the lengthy Essendon injury list. Picture:'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.'

Former Hawthorn figure floated to join Essendon after Bombers announce immediate departure
Former Hawthorn figure floated to join Essendon after Bombers announce immediate departure

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Former Hawthorn figure floated to join Essendon after Bombers announce immediate departure

Mathew Inness and Andrew Russell have been floated as potential candidates to become Essendon's next high performance boss after the Bombers announced the departure of Sean Murphy on Friday. Murphy has led the Bombers' high performance team since the start of 2020, but the club have announced his contract won't be renewed past this season. 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.

Essendon parts ways with club's head of high performance after injury-riddled season
Essendon parts ways with club's head of high performance after injury-riddled season

News.com.au

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • News.com.au

Essendon parts ways with club's head of high performance after injury-riddled season

The Essendon injury crisis has resulted in the club parting ways with the head of high performance five weeks before the end of a disastrous 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.'

'Can't do that': Jake Stringer facing sanction from AFL after GWS victory
'Can't do that': Jake Stringer facing sanction from AFL after GWS victory

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

'Can't do that': Jake Stringer facing sanction from AFL after GWS victory

Jake Stringer looks likely to become the latest player to fall foul of the AFL's crackdown on careless contact with umpires, in what would take some shine off his starring performance on Thursday night. Stringer destroyed his former club as GWS beat Essendon by 48 points at Marvel Stadium. The former Essendon player kicked three goals on Thursday night to help the Giants pummel the injury-hit Bombers. But the performance has been soured somewhat by a potential fine that could be looming. The AFL announced a crackdown on players making contact with umpires earlier this month, after a spate of incidents in the last 12 months. Players can now be sent directly to the AFL Tribunal for four offences in a two-year period - as occurred with Carlton's Adam Cerra this week. And Stringer appeared to land himself in hot water when he ran into the back of an umpire late in Thursday night's game. "There's a fine," Kane Cornes said in commentary for Channel 7. "The players have been warned they can't run into the space when an umpire is backing out of a stoppage like that." Stringer was jostling with an Essendon player during a ball-up, and inadvertently collided with the back-tracking umpire. But under AFL rules the player is at fault and has to show more care. It was the only dampener on Stringer's triumphant display against his former club. After playing 123 games for Essendon, the 31-year-old moved to the Giants last off-season to try to get the most out of the latter part of his career. Injuries have plagued his time in Sydney, but he's starting to find some form at just the right time. His three-goal performance came after he kicked four against Geelong the week before. The veteran had 18 disposals and three score involvements, and also took a speccy over one of his best friends Jayden Laverde. "He was quite nervous coming into the game, but I thought he played with a lot of respect and competed hard," GWS coach Adam Kingsley said. "Took a mark on his one of his best mates, so I think he was pretty happy with that." GWS and Essendon coaches praise Jake Stringer Kingsley hailed the way Stringer has been playing for his teammates. "That's been a bit of a trademark of his last month for us," the coach said. "He's been able to kick some miraculous goals, particularly that Gold Coast game. "But then the West Coast game, you saw a real selflessness, giving goals off, where he had every right to take those shots. Then we saw that again (against Essendon), running into open an goal and handballs to a guy in the goal square (Max Gruzewski). His intent to chase, tackle, pressure feels like it's at a really good level." RELATED: Collingwood urged to enquire about 'disgruntled' Hawthorn player Harley Reid's eight-word taunt for Jason Horne-Francis revealed Essendon coach Brad Scott was also full of praise for Stringer, despite his side being on the wrong end of the result. "When his team's playing well, Jake can finish as well as anyone," Scott said. "Despite what people may think - I'd actually prefer it wasn't tonight - but I'm very pleased for him. He wanted to prolong his career. We're going in a different direction. I see the result there as a win-win." with AAP

Stringer threatens to be finals wildcard for GWS
Stringer threatens to be finals wildcard for GWS

The Advertiser

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • The Advertiser

Stringer threatens to be finals wildcard for GWS

GWS may have unlocked the best version of Jake Stringer. After an injury-interrupted start to his time in Sydney, the explosive forward has added another element to a power-packed Giants front-half. In his first game against his former club Essendon, Stringer fired with three goals,18 disposals and three score involvements in a 48-point win on Thursday night. Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan (foot) will return for next Friday night's Sydney derby, joining young gun Aaron Cadman, captain Toby Greene and Stringer in arguably the AFL's most potent forward line. Giants coach Adam Kingsley has been thrilled with Stringer involving other teammates in play, backing up a four-goal haul against Geelong last week. During his time at the Bombers, Stringer was the frontman and felt pressure to win games off his own boot. "That's been a bit of a trademark of his last month for us," Kingsley said of Stringer's unselfish acts. "He's been able to kick some miraculous goals, particularly that Gold Coast game. "But then the West Coast game, you saw a real selflessness, giving goals off, where he had every right to take those shots. "Then we saw that again (against Essendon), running into open an goal and handballs to a guy in the goal square (Max Gruzewski). "His intent to chase, tackle, pressure feels like it's at a really good level." Kingsley admitted Stringer was apprehensive ahead of the clash with the Bombers, but didn't need any extra advice. "He's a very intelligent player. He sees the game well," he said. "He often has suggestions for me during the game ... he sees the game incredibly well. "He's a smart guy. He didn't need any coaching. "When we decided to bring him across, this is what we had in mind. "He's going to contribute to our game, both on offence and on defence. Essendon coach Brad Scott also couldn't speak highly enough of Stringer, who left during the last trade period following 123 games for the Bombers. "When his team's playing well, Jake can finish as well as anyone," Scott said. "Despite what people may think - I'd actually prefer it wasn't tonight - but I'm very pleased for him. "He wanted to prolong his career. "We're going in a different direction. I see the result there as a win-win." GWS (12-6) finished the first game of round 19 fourth on the ladder, but could end the weekend as low as seventh. Finalists the last two seasons, the Giants have won five-straight games since their shock loss against Port Adelaide in Canberra last month. GWS may have unlocked the best version of Jake Stringer. After an injury-interrupted start to his time in Sydney, the explosive forward has added another element to a power-packed Giants front-half. In his first game against his former club Essendon, Stringer fired with three goals,18 disposals and three score involvements in a 48-point win on Thursday night. Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan (foot) will return for next Friday night's Sydney derby, joining young gun Aaron Cadman, captain Toby Greene and Stringer in arguably the AFL's most potent forward line. Giants coach Adam Kingsley has been thrilled with Stringer involving other teammates in play, backing up a four-goal haul against Geelong last week. During his time at the Bombers, Stringer was the frontman and felt pressure to win games off his own boot. "That's been a bit of a trademark of his last month for us," Kingsley said of Stringer's unselfish acts. "He's been able to kick some miraculous goals, particularly that Gold Coast game. "But then the West Coast game, you saw a real selflessness, giving goals off, where he had every right to take those shots. "Then we saw that again (against Essendon), running into open an goal and handballs to a guy in the goal square (Max Gruzewski). "His intent to chase, tackle, pressure feels like it's at a really good level." Kingsley admitted Stringer was apprehensive ahead of the clash with the Bombers, but didn't need any extra advice. "He's a very intelligent player. He sees the game well," he said. "He often has suggestions for me during the game ... he sees the game incredibly well. "He's a smart guy. He didn't need any coaching. "When we decided to bring him across, this is what we had in mind. "He's going to contribute to our game, both on offence and on defence. Essendon coach Brad Scott also couldn't speak highly enough of Stringer, who left during the last trade period following 123 games for the Bombers. "When his team's playing well, Jake can finish as well as anyone," Scott said. "Despite what people may think - I'd actually prefer it wasn't tonight - but I'm very pleased for him. "He wanted to prolong his career. "We're going in a different direction. I see the result there as a win-win." GWS (12-6) finished the first game of round 19 fourth on the ladder, but could end the weekend as low as seventh. Finalists the last two seasons, the Giants have won five-straight games since their shock loss against Port Adelaide in Canberra last month. GWS may have unlocked the best version of Jake Stringer. After an injury-interrupted start to his time in Sydney, the explosive forward has added another element to a power-packed Giants front-half. In his first game against his former club Essendon, Stringer fired with three goals,18 disposals and three score involvements in a 48-point win on Thursday night. Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan (foot) will return for next Friday night's Sydney derby, joining young gun Aaron Cadman, captain Toby Greene and Stringer in arguably the AFL's most potent forward line. Giants coach Adam Kingsley has been thrilled with Stringer involving other teammates in play, backing up a four-goal haul against Geelong last week. During his time at the Bombers, Stringer was the frontman and felt pressure to win games off his own boot. "That's been a bit of a trademark of his last month for us," Kingsley said of Stringer's unselfish acts. "He's been able to kick some miraculous goals, particularly that Gold Coast game. "But then the West Coast game, you saw a real selflessness, giving goals off, where he had every right to take those shots. "Then we saw that again (against Essendon), running into open an goal and handballs to a guy in the goal square (Max Gruzewski). "His intent to chase, tackle, pressure feels like it's at a really good level." Kingsley admitted Stringer was apprehensive ahead of the clash with the Bombers, but didn't need any extra advice. "He's a very intelligent player. He sees the game well," he said. "He often has suggestions for me during the game ... he sees the game incredibly well. "He's a smart guy. He didn't need any coaching. "When we decided to bring him across, this is what we had in mind. "He's going to contribute to our game, both on offence and on defence. Essendon coach Brad Scott also couldn't speak highly enough of Stringer, who left during the last trade period following 123 games for the Bombers. "When his team's playing well, Jake can finish as well as anyone," Scott said. "Despite what people may think - I'd actually prefer it wasn't tonight - but I'm very pleased for him. "He wanted to prolong his career. "We're going in a different direction. I see the result there as a win-win." GWS (12-6) finished the first game of round 19 fourth on the ladder, but could end the weekend as low as seventh. Finalists the last two seasons, the Giants have won five-straight games since their shock loss against Port Adelaide in Canberra last month.

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