Essendon has appointed former Bomber Brent Prismall as head of development, under new senior coach Mark McVeigh.
Prismall returns to Tullamarine after spending more than a decade at the Western Bulldogs as the club's player welfare manager.
The-40-year-old joins Shane Mumford as McVeigh's first signing for the Bombers' new-look coaching panel.
Prismall said he is looking forward to his new role at his old club.
"It's great to be coming back to Essendon. It's a club with a proud history and a big supporter base, and there's a real sense of energy around where it's heading. Being part of the start of a new chapter is a great opportunity," Prismall said.
"We've got a talented young group of players, and development is going to be a big part of how this club gets to where it wants to go. My job is to help each player get the most out of their ability, on and off the field. Working alongside a new coaching group led by Mark that shares that commitment was a big part of the appeal for me."
He played three seasons with McVeigh at the Bombers.
Prismall will play a crucial role in the Bombers' rebuild, charged with developing their young group of stars and the 2026 draft crop.
The Bombers have brought in 13 players from the National Draft in the last three years, and currently hold picks 1, 19 and 55 in the 2026 National Draft.
Essendon has taken five players in the first round of the National Draft over the last three years, with Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow, Dyson Sharp, Isaac Kako, and Nate Caddy, one of the best young crops of players in the competition.
Prismall replaces former assistant coach Cam Roberts, who informed the Bombers he would resign from his position at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Roberts was among several coaching changes at the Bombers after Brad Scott was sacked back in May.
Head of game strategy David Rath departed the Bombers at the end of the 2026 season, along with assistant coach Ben Jacobs and general manager of football Daniel McPherson.
Former Essendon interim coach Dean Solomon also announced he will depart the club and not take a role at the Bombers for 2027, returning to New South Wales to be closer to his family.
