Essendon has sacked senior coach Brad Scott following a dismal start to the 2026 AFL season, with the club confirming the decision on Tuesday. The Bombers slumped to 18th on the ladder after an 18-point loss to Richmond on Friday night, leaving them with just one win from 11 games.
Assistant coach Dean Solomon will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season. Solomon previously coached Gold Coast for three games in 2017 after Rodney Eade was sacked. The club will decide on a long-term coach at season's end.
Scott joined Essendon ahead of the 2023 season after the club parted ways with Ben Rutten. Despite being contracted until the end of 2027, the board decided a fresh direction was needed after just 80 games in charge. The Bombers were fourth on the ladder after Round 17 in 2024 but have won only eight of their next 42 games under Scott.
Club president Andrew Welsh said the board felt it would be unfair for Scott to continue. “When looking at the overall progress of our football team this season, it was agreed that we needed a fresh voice to take the club forward for the 2027 AFL season,” Welsh said in a statement. “Once that decision was made, it would have been unfair to have Brad continue as coach any longer.”
Potential long-term replacements include Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and former Essendon coach James Hird. Essendon great Tim Watson noted a strong push from many at the club to bring Hird back. Hird was reportedly second in the interview process when Scott was appointed.
