The strengthening of Essendon head coach Brad Scott's supporting cast is in full swing, with Brent Stanton, Ben Jacobs and Leigh Tudor joining its Football Department in full-time coaching roles.ย
One-club player and former Essendon midfielderย Stanton, who retired in 2017 after a successful career as a ball-winning Bomber, returns to the club as a full-time development coach in 2023.
He will have a specific focus on the Bombers' contest craft and also perform a gameday role with the senior team.
Since retiring Stanton has developed his own coaching craft, spending four seasons at Carlton as a midfield and transition coach before linking up with the Bombers last year as their VFL coach.
Tudor becomes Essendon's first full-time VFL Senior Coach in what looms as an exciting investment in the development of their young list.
He was previously in charge of the VFL Bombers during the COVID-interrupted 2021 season, having joined them after a seven-year stint as an assistant coach at North Melbourne
Tudor is a VFL premiership-winning coach, having guided Geelong to success in 2007.
The appointment ofย Jacobs marks a reunion between player and coach, with Jacobs having played underย Scott for seven seasons at North Melbourne.
He is joining Scott's team as an assistant midfield coach, having spent a season at St Kilda in 2022 as a development and assistant coach.
Jacobs' appointment continues the trend of Essendon signing coaches that have worked closely with footballers across both AFL and VFL programs, indicative of a focus on the next generation of players as the Bombers continue to rebuild their list.
General manager of football Josh Mahoney affirmed this sentiment, confirming the club's commitment to creating a coaching structure that can develop the playing group.
"We've acknowledged the football department will look different next year," Mahoney said.
"We have set out to create a coaching structure and team of coaches who each play to their strengths and can develop all of our playing group.
"To announce a full-time VFL coach, highlights the important role that our VFL program plays in the development of our players and our commitment to this competition.
"These changes play to Leigh's extensive coaching experience in returning him into the senior coaching role as well as Brent's craft and teaching skills in a full-time role. We also welcome Ben's expertise as a midfielder and his stoppage skills to aid the development of our midfield group."
The Bombers are set to finalise their AFL coaching structure in the coming weeks, with Stanton, Tudor and Jacobs joining Michael Hurley and Travis Cloke as additions to their 2023 coaching team.
