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Essendon lock in on 2025 coaches

The Bombers has confirmed its coaching panel under Brad Scott.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Essendon has confirmed its coaching structure under Brad Scott with only one significant change.

The Bombers revealed that Dale Tapping would be the club's VFL senior coach, opening the door for former Head of Development Cam Roberts to move into a forward mentor capacity.

Roberts previously held the position in the interim through 2023 and has risen through the ranks since arriving at Essendon in 2019, having previous coaching experience with the Melbourne University Blacks, and community-oriented roles with AFLNT.

The former Geelong player also assisted in the reserves program before moving to the AFL structure in 2022.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Essendon assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa looks on during the warm up before before the round 20 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium, on July 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Amidst the one change, continuity highlights the Bombers' coaching look for next year as Scott's assistant group of Daniel Giansiracusa (Midfield), Brent Stanton (Stoppages), and Ben Jacobs (Defence), are all set to continue in their roles from 2024.

The pairing of Michael Hurley and Travis Cloke continue as Development Coaches next season, while David Rath will again support Scott as Coaching Innovation and Game Strategy Manager.

Bombers GM of AFL Daniel McPherson is confident in the variety and experience amongst the group leading into next year.

“Following the announcement of Dale Tapping as VFL Senior Coach last week, we're delighted to confirm our 2025 AFL coaching structure led by Brad Scott,” McPherson said.

“Cam Roberts has demonstrated great football knowledge, is experienced, a strong relationship builder, and a good teacher of the game. He is widely regarded across our footy club by the players, coaches and staff after leading our development program for the last three seasons. He stepped in for Dale (Tapping) when he was unavailable last season and showed great synergy with our coaching and playing group.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Josh Green, Jobe Watson,Michael Hurley, Brent Stanton and Dyson Heppell of the Bombers sing the club song after winning during the round one AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

“We believe we have great experience and vast knowledge across all our coaches who complement each other and will help to push the club forward under Brad's leadership.

“Our players will benefit from the stability in our football program, and we're excited to get to work in the next couple of weeks, building out our pre-season program ahead of the 2025 season.”

Essendon 1-4 year players will return to training on Monday, November 11.

Published by
Aidan Cellini