Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Essendon AFL assistance package talks have started after a brutal 12 months left the Bombers near the bottom of the ladder and cost coach Brad Scott his job.
The club is expected to ask the AFL for help, with Nine’s Footy Classified reporting that an extra end-of-first-round draft pick could be part of the request after just one win from its past 25 games.
For more on the club’s coaching picture, read James Hird Essendon return plan revealed as Bombers coaching push gathers pace.
Bombers Weigh Draft Help
Essendon’s current run has raised fresh concerns, especially with the club facing the prospect of winning only 18 games across three seasons if it does not claim another victory in 2026.
The Bombers also look set to stretch their finals drought to 22 years without a win in September, adding pressure to the club’s case.
Recent Form May Weaken Case
Essendon’s argument is not as clear as some recent clubs who received AFL help.
Only 12 months ago, the Bombers were 6-4 after beating Richmond in the Dreamtime at the ‘G match, and they finished 11th in both 2023 and 2024 under Brad Scott with 11 wins in each season.
Their 2025 campaign then fell away badly, with injuries leaving the squad short of fit players at times.
West Coast received the most recent help package, including an extra end-of-first-round pick and extra rookie spots, but the Eagles had won only 11 games across four seasons from 2022 to 2025.
North Melbourne also received help after 12 wins in 84 games, while Gold Coast was given the No.2 draft pick after winning 19 games in four years.
Essendon’s case may therefore need to focus on deeper football department issues rather than short-term ladder position alone. Official competition updates can be found through the AFL website.
