In a significant day of change for the Essendon Football Club, former No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath has been officially unveiled as the Bombers' new captain, while chief executive Craig Vozzo has stepped down from his role.
A New Leader Emerges for the Bombers
Andrew McGrath, the popular defender who has played 180 games since his debut in 2017, has been confirmed as Essendon's 42nd captain. He takes over the role from Zach Merrett, whose position became untenable after his failed trade request to Hawthorn during a difficult season for the club.
The appointment follows an extensive process within the club, with McGrath receiving what was described as "overwhelming approval" from the Essendon playing group to assume the leadership. Essendon's football boss, Daniel McPherson, praised the decision, calling it a well-deserved honour for a player who consistently sets the standard.
"This is a fitting honour for someone who’s frequently set the example of exactly what an Essendon person should be," McPherson said. "We’re thrilled for Andy and we know he’ll handle the responsibility with the level of character and dedication we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him."
Leadership Shake-Up Follows Turbulent Period
The captaincy change caps a challenging year for Essendon, which finished 15th on the AFL ladder and was rocked by Merrett's desire to leave for Hawthorn. The club refused all trade offers for the superstar midfielder, and he will remain at the Bombers until at least the end of 2026. However, it was agreed he could not continue as captain, with Merrett ultimately relinquishing the role voluntarily.
A new-look leadership group has also been established to support McGrath. It includes:
- Kyle Langford
- Mason Redman
- Injured wingman Nic Martin
- Sam Durham
- Jye Caldwell
- New recruit Brayden Fiorini from the Gold Coast Suns
CEO's Sudden Departure Adds to Club's Transition
In a parallel development, chief executive Craig Vozzo informed the club of his decision to resign, just eight days before Christmas. Vozzo, a former West Coast football boss, was three years into his tenure, having taken over after the brief and troubled reign of Andrew Thorburn.
Vozzo cited a desire to return to his home state of South Australia to be closer to family after living away for over 15 years. He called it one of the most difficult decisions of his life, stating it had been a "great honour and privilege" to lead the historic club.
"Following the conclusion of our AFLW season and men’s draft, I returned to South Australia for a few weeks... it really reinforced to me that it is the right time in my life to take a step back from the CEO role and further prioritise my family ahead of my career," Vozzo explained.
Chief operating officer Nick Ryan will step in as acting CEO while the club searches for a permanent replacement. The dual announcements mark a pivotal moment for Essendon as it seeks to rebuild both on and off the field ahead of the 2025 AFL season.
