Essendon will conduct a review of its high-performance team amid a string of repeat soft-tissue injuries and an excessive injury list.
A growing list of casualties has seen the Bombers hand a record of 11 debuts, yet the cost of losing their stars has prevented them from climbing up the ladder.
Darcy Parish (calf), Kyle Langford (quad) and Zach Reid (hamstring) are among those to have multiple spells on the sidelines, while dashing defender Mason Redman has also battled hamstring problems.
It comes as the club deals with the absences of Sam Draper (achilles), Lewis Hayes (ACL), Nick Bryan (ACL), Thomas Edwards (ACL), Ben McKay (foot), Harrison Jones (ankle) and more recently Jye Caldwell (syndesmosis) and Nik Cox (concussion).
"The club confirmed that there will be a sharpened focus on the high-performance team," Channel 9's Tom Morris said.
Essendon is facing an off-season of upheaval, after a spate of soft tissue injuries derailed the club's 2025 campaign.
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"There is no doubt this is code for having a review. No formal decisions have been made yet, but there's little doubt there'll be personnel changes at Tullamarine.
"This is all due to an excessive injury list... with several players suffering repeat soft-tissue injuries this year."
Essendon pressure forward Matt Guelfi attempted to dismiss any major concerns at the club despite a dozen players remaining on the injury list.
Guelfi himself has dealt with large stints on the sidelines due to soft-tissue injuries, but insisted the medical team was on the right track.
"I think it's part of footy," Guelfi said at the Help Us Give the Boot to Kids' Cancer day at Bombers headquarters.
"At the moment, we're focusing on what we can control. I've had my injuries, and I'm really confident with our medical team.
"All clubs have to look into where they can better each year. I think we're on the right track.
"I can only speak for myself, and I'm happy with what the boys are doing."
Elsewhere at Essendon, highly regarded assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa is looking likely to remain at the club on a two-year deal under Brad Scott, according to Morris.
After a successful playing career at the Western Bulldogs, Giansiracusa entered coaching, and has been at the Bombers since the end of 2020.
Giansiracusa immediately transitioned into a coaching role at Whitten Oval in 2015, tasked with overseeing the club's forward line before moving into stoppages and set plays. He then took over the club's VFL outfit.
He was named the AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year, and has looked after the Bombers' backline in 2021 before moving to the midfield for 2023.
"Brad Scott is a huge fan of Giansiracusa and his coaching. The ex-Bulldog is a senior coach in waiting, and is keen to recommit to the club."
