Essendon have made the decision to part ways with head of high-performance Sean Murphy amid the club's ongoing injury crisis.
Murphy will see out the remainder of his contract through to the conclusion of the 2025 season and will not have his deal renewed beyond that point.
The decision marks the end of a six-year tenure for Murphy at Tullamarine, with the outgoing Bombers high-performance boss thanking the club, its staff, players, and his family.
"I'd like to thank the Essendon Football Club for the opportunity to lead the High Performance program over the past six seasons," Murphy said in a club statement.
"It's been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated and professional staff, and I want to acknowledge their commitment throughout my time at the Club.
"I am proud of the support shown within our High Performance team to each other and the playing group in what has been a challenging season โ it is a testament to the character of this team.
โI also want to acknowledge the playing group, the coaches, the support staff, and the broader Club for their support and friendships made over the journey, and I wish the Club all the best for the future.
"Lastly, I would like to thank my family for the ongoing love and support in what is an all-encompassing role, I look forward to what lies ahead.โ
The decision from Essendon comes as the Bombers currently have 15 players in their casualty ward.
Of those players, 11 would likely be considered as best 23 players under Brad Scott, while eight have been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and three more have their returns listed as 'TBC'.
"We want to thank Sean for his commitment to this role over the past six seasons at the Essendon Football Club," Dons football boss Dan McPherson said.
"These jobs are all-encompassing, and on behalf of the Essendon Football Club, I want to thank Sean for the professionalism and integrity that he has carried himself with, particularly throughout what has been a really challenging season in 2025.
"Our High Performance and Medical team is critical to the success of our football program, and we're committed to undertaking all necessary work required to help us improve in this area. This decision enables us to take a fresh approach and reshape the team as we prepare for a crucial off-season ahead of the 2026 AFL campaign."
The club has confirmed that a search to find Murphy's replacement is already underway, with the Bombers seeking an immediate option for the role of head of high-performance and medical
