Three-time Carlton premiership player Marc Maclure believes Essendon coach John Worsfold will be without a job by the end of the 2019 AFL season.

Worsfold signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the Bombers until the end of 2020, but Maclure has doubts surrounding his job following a heavy round one loss to the Giants.

"I would be surprised if he lasts the year, to tell you the truth," Maclure said on Fox Footy's AFL 360. 

"His last year at the start of the the year was poor. Then they fixed it up and became the third best in contested ball.

"Before that they were terrible. So does he get another run

"What happens here now? Change the game style?

"I've run into half a dozen of my mates (who are Essendon supporters) who said 'what the hell's going on there?'".

The Bombers began the year with a 72-point drubbing at the hands of Greater Western Sydney, the glaring and most disheartening sign for Essendon fans was losing the contested-ball count by 41 disposals.

After starting the 2018 season off with 2 wins and 6 losses, Essendon will be eager to bounce back with a victory over St Kilda this Saturday at Marvel Stadium - a match which will celebrate Worsfold's 350th game as an AFL coach.