Neeld out in Bombers’ restructure

Former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld’s tenure as a senior assistant at Essendon is over.

Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and Essendon’s Zach Merrett at yesterday’s launch of the country round outside the MCG. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin.

Former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld’s tenure as a senior assistant at Essendon is over after blame for the Bombers’ disastrous start to the season was attributed in part to him.

Essendon were expected to emerge as a contender for this year’s premiership but are instead languishing in 15th, two wins outside the eight, after falling to the previously winless Carlton on Saturday.

Criticism had already been directed towards the Bombers after successive losses to Collingwood, Melbourne and Hawthorn but it intensified following the weekend’s shock.

This included concerns surrounding the Bombers’ game plan, an area of expertise Neeld had responsibility for aiding senior coach John Worsfold, whose contract was extended through until 2020 at the start of the season.

The Bombers have managed only one win since.

Essendon football manager Dan Richardson said Neeld opted against continuing after being told of a coaching restructure.

“This was a decision Mark has been reflecting on for some weeks and following discussions regarding the potential restructure of the coaching department, Mark felt it was the right time to step aside and explore a new chapter in his career,” Richardson said.

“This is an opportunity for John and the performance coaches to create greater clarity and alignment in the brand of football we want to play.

“We also believe this is an opportunity for our coaches to develop, be more empowered in their roles and have greater input into the strategic direction of the team.”

Neeld had an ill-fated stint coaching Melbourne, leading the Demons to just five wins from 33 matches.

He was previously an assistant coach to Mick Malthouse during a period which included Collingwood’s premiership year in 2010.

Exacerbating a poor few days for the Bombers is an injury suffered by All Australian defender Michael Hurley, who is believed to have a hamstring strain.

He is considered unlikely to play against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday.

There is concern about the performance of senior players who have failed to produce anything like the football they are capable of.

Reigning best and fairest Joe Daniher will be absent until at least the bye after it was revealed last week he was suffering from osteitis pubis, which explains his struggle for form.

Recruits Jake Stringer, and to a lesser extent Adam Saad, are yet to perform at the level Essendon hoped, though former Giant Devon Smith is an exception to the rule.

Daniher’s fellow All Australian Zach Merrett is another who has faltered this season.

He is scouting far and wide for advice on how best to deal with the taggers that have been responsible for a drastic dip in his output.

The 22-year-old won the Bombers’ best-and-fairest in 2016 and earned All Australian status last year when averaging 30 disposals a game.

But he is gathering only 20 possessions a game this year, with the dip in drive he provides contributing to the Bombers’ despair.

“I’ve spoken to a number of people who are really experienced in that area and it’s something that’s going to take a bit of time as well,” Merrett said. “I’d love to go out there and be best on (ground) every week, but it’s going to take time and I’m certainly putting in the work during the week to get better.”

It is now 5001 days since Essendon, a powerhouse of the competition at the start of the century, last won a final.

Former Essendon champion Tim Watson, whose son Jobe Watson captained the Bombers through the tumultuous seasons tarnished by the supplements scandal, expressed concern for Merrett yesterday.

Watson also suggested Worsfold should look no further than the way he played as star defender in the West Coast Eagles premiership sides of 1992 and 1994, as the right way forward for the battling Bombers.