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Essendon have sacked head of football Dan Richardson, reports The Age.

It comes as new president Paul Brasher undertakes a review into the Bombers' football department in what he promised would be "brutally honest".

Richardson has been the first victim of that review, departing the Bombers after just three years in the job ahead of what looms as a crucial trade period for the club.

Joe Daniher is set to depart as a free agent to join Brisbane, while Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia have requested trades away to rival teams.

Crossing over from Richmond at the end of their 2017 drought-breaking premiership season, Richardson was hand picked by CEO Xavier Campbell to introduce the Tigers' style and culture at the Bombers.

Richardson orchestrated Essendon's coaching succession plan from John Worsfold and Ben Rutten.

Rutten now enters his first season as Essendon's senior coach without his biggest supporter at the club.