Essendon Coach Brad Scott Speaks Out on Sacking and Rebuilding Plan
Sacked Essendon coach Brad Scott has spoken publicly for the first time since his dismissal was announced, revealing that key decision-makers at Tullamarine were aligned on the club’s rebuilding plan. However, he admitted the decision to move him on in his fourth season came as a surprise. Scott also mentioned that he had been prepared to trade Zach Merrett last year, despite the player’s attempts to defect to Hawthorn.
Scott described the pressure of the situation as “strange” and expressed his belief in the club’s long-term strategy. He emphasized his commitment to seeing the plan through, including the players he recontracted as part of the strategy.
“I was committed to seeing it through, and committed to the playing group, and committed to all the players we recontracted as part of our plan,” Scott said.
He explained that he had a disagreement with the decision to retain Merrett last year. The three-time All-Australian had tried to leave the club, but Scott believed the club should have let him go.
“My view was that we should let him go, but the club’s view was, ‘We should keep him’. So, again, my view is what the club’s view is. And I fronted that.”
Scott acknowledged that Merrett had given incredible service to the Essendon Football Club over the years, going through multiple strategies and coaches. He felt for the player and his family, believing that Merrett wasn’t being selfish but rather at his wit’s end after repeated promises.
Essendon’s decision to sack Scott came after the Bombers slumped to a 1-10 record. Scott admitted he was “blindsided” by the move and missed the chance to speak directly to the playing group.
The club faces a payout of up to $1.3 million on Scott’s contract, which was due to expire at the end of 2027. This amount would need to be absorbed into the Bombers’ soft cap.
Earlier on Tuesday, Merrett learned of Scott’s sacking from a member of the public at a cafe. When asked about the news leaking out, Scott said he had come to expect such leaks, calling it a challenge at Essendon.
“I’d get the opportunity to speak to the players. But at 7:30 in the morning, the players already knew because everybody knew. It made it untenable to go to the club and speak to the players. That will have to come a bit later.”
Scott admitted that Essendon’s list was “a couple of years away” from contending for finals. He praised list boss Matt Rosa for doing a “terrific job” and highlighted the high-character players the club has brought in.
Merrett, who was speaking while promoting beer company Sapporo, said he would be “very disappointed” if the Bombers suddenly improved simply because the coach had been sacked. He stressed that players must take ownership for the club’s disastrous season.
“I’d be disappointed if players now felt inspired to be proud of the way they play,” Merrett said.
He added that the week would put added scrutiny on the playing group ahead of Sunday’s clash with West Coast, but warned that it would reflect poorly on the players if the coach’s exit alone sparked a dramatic turnaround.
“Brad shouldered, I think, more load than anyone for the club these past four years. As players, certainly there’s a lot of accountability and ownership around us and us needing to perform and keep improving and working hard to justify our roles at the footy club as well.”
Merrett also addressed speculation linking club great James Hird to the vacant coaching role, describing the former Bombers coach as a trusted confidant.
“I can only go off our relationship. It’s very strong. He’s been a great mentor of mine and someone I can always confide in.”
Welsh, the club’s president, said it was not just the mounting losses but the way in which the Bombers were surrendering games that ultimately cost Scott his job. He revealed that the board lost faith in their coach due to a clear lack of progress in the playing group.
“We were disappointed in our performance in a lot of games and our ability to stem the flow throughout games at different times, and then the impacts that that can create for a young side was one of the areas that we had been assessing,” Welsh said.
Welsh and club chief executive Tim Roberts fronted the media at the club’s Tullamarine headquarters on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the board’s reasoning. They started discussions across the weekend following the club’s disappointing Dreamtime loss to Richmond and a horror stretch that had yielded one win from the past 24 games.
