In a move that highlights the brutal reality of professional sport, Essendon Football Club has made the difficult decision to delist midfielder Will Setterfield after just two seasons with the Bombers.
The 26-year-old's departure comes following a challenging period where he spent significant time on the sidelines, managing persistent injuries that limited his impact at AFL level.
Setterfield's journey with Essendon began with promise after crossing from Carlton during the 2022 trade period. The former first-round draft pick showed flashes of his potential across 19 games in the red and black, but ultimately couldn't secure a consistent spot in the senior lineup.
The injury woes proved particularly frustrating for both player and club. Setterfield's 2024 campaign was derailed by foot and ankle issues that required surgery, effectively ending his season prematurely and complicating his future at the Hangar.
Essendon's list manager, Adrian Dodoro, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting that "these list management calls are never easy, particularly when dealing with players who have shown such professionalism and dedication during their time at the club."
What's next for Setterfield? Despite this setback, the versatile midfielder remains determined to continue his AFL career. At 26 years old and with 68 games of experience across both Carlton and Essendon, he could yet attract interest from other clubs during the upcoming trade and free agency period.
The delisting forms part of Essendon's broader list strategy as they prepare for the national draft and trade period, where they'll be looking to bolster their midfield depth following this significant roster change.
