Essendon assistant and VFL coach Blake Caracella is reportedly assessing his options beyond this year as his contract with the Bombers nears its expiry.

The former Essendon, Collingwood and Brisbane player has been with the Bombers since the end of the 2019 season, with Caracella, serving under John Worsfold, Ben Rutten and currently Brad Scott.

The 47-year-old, who won premierships as a player with the Bombers and Lions, has found great success in the coaches box since retiring in 2006, also helping Geelong and Richmond to flags over the past 13 years.

Caracella started his coaching journey as an assistant with Collingwood after calling time on his carer, with the former forward joining the Cats in 2010 and Richmond six years later.

Following Richmond's second premiership under Damien Hardwick, Caracella departed Punt Road for The Hangar, where he also managed one game as caretaker coach in 2022 when Rutten was placed in the AFL's health and safety protocols amid the COVID pandemic.

According to AFL.com.au, Caracella could be in line for a return to the Tigers after recently holding discussions with Richmond.

With Caracella's contract reaching an end this year, the ex-Bomber has begun to weigh up his future and could find himself back at Tigerland for the 2025 season.

Caracella is one of the most experienced assistant coaches in the land, and has not shied away from discussing his ambitions to eventually step into a senior coaching role.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Damien Hardwick, coach of the Tigers and Blake Caracella, assistant coach of the Tigers talk during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on May 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

He has taken the lead on Essendon's VFL program this year, with the Bombers' reserves an outside chance to book a Wildcard Round spot with one game left in the 2024 season.

Richmond have already confirmed the departure of assistant David Teague ahead of the off-season, with premiership Tiger Kane Lambert earning a promotion as forwards coach already.

Senior coach Adem Yze, who is near the end of his first year at the helm, welcomed the likes of Jack Ziebell and Chris Newman after joining the club from Melbourne. Rutten currently works as an assistant under Yze.

The Tigers are facing their first wooden spoon finish since 2007, carrying a record of 2-19 record into Round 23.