The Saints also provided updates on Carlton recruits Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning on Wednesday.
“Tom De Koning [calf] has integrated into training pre-Christmas and is expected to resume full training following the break, while Jack Silvagni continues to make positive progress through his existing groin rehabilitation program,” the club said.
Vozzo steps down as CEO, McGrath named new Essendon captain
Michael Gleeson, Russell Bennett
There is change at the top at Essendon, both on field and off, with Andrew McGrath unveiled as Zach Merrett’s replacement as skipper on the same day CEO Craig Vozzo stepped down from his role.
This masthead confirmed that Vozzo had stepped down after three years as CEO to return to South Australia to be with his family, while McGrath was announced as the Bombers’ 42nd skipper – replacing Zach Merrett after his failed trade to Hawthorn.
As expected, Andrew McGrath is the new Essendon captain.Credit: AFL Photos
McGrath was widely expected to take on the role, but in a surprising move the Bombers announced Brayden Fiorini will step into the leadership group despite not having yet played a game in the red and black following his off-season move from the Suns.
The full leadership group also includes Kyle Langford, Mason Redman, Sam Durham, Jye Caldwell and the injured Nic Martin, who’ll miss the whole 2026 campaign with an ACL injury.
Vozzo, meanwhile, will finish up as CEO immediately and return to live in Adelaide to be with his children and wider family.
His contract was coming up for renewal and two sources with knowledge of his decision said he had been weighing up a return to Adelaide for six months.
Former Essendon executive Justin Rodski, who served as the chief commercial and customer officer before his move to the Melbourne Storm as CEO in 2021, would be expected to be on a list of candidates approached by the Bombers following Vozzo’s departure.
Craig Vozzo has called time on his stint as Essendon chief executive officer.Credit: Justin McManus
In a club statement on Wednesday, Vozzo said that he was confident in the direction the Bombers were heading, and that choosing to leave was the among the most difficult decisions he had made as he would “always be a Bomber”.
“It’s been a great honour and privilege to serve the club as CEO, an opportunity that I’m incredibly grateful for,” Vozzo said.
“I’ve been living away from my home and my wider family and friends back in South Australia for 15-plus years now.
“My initial three-year contract was coming to an end, which gave me the opportunity to reflect on my future.
“Following the conclusion of our AFLW season and men’s draft, I returned to South Australia for a few weeks to be around family and my closest friends, to have some quiet time to deeply reflect.
“In that time, it really reinforced to me that it is the right time in my life to take a step back from the CEO role and further prioritise my family ahead of my career.
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“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make, because I love this football club and everything it stands for to so many … But it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life back home in South Australia.”
The club is eager for Vozzo to stay on at least in a part-time consultancy capacity in football.
Chief operating officer Nick Ryan will step in as acting chief executive while the club searches for a permanent replacement for Vozzo.
Vozzo arrived at Essendon, having been head of football at West Coast, with a brief as CEO to concentrate on fixing the football department as his priority.
Vozzo spent three years as Bombers CEO, taking on the role after the ill-fated appointment of Andrew Thorburn, who only lasted one day in the job. Before Thorburn, the club’s CEO was Xavier Campbell.
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A lawyer by trade, Vozzo’s career in football started in player management before he spent close to a decade at West Coast, most of that time as head of football.
He got the job shortly after the arrival of senior coach Brad Scott and chairman David Barham, who stepped down and was replaced by Andrew Welsh earlier this year.
Welsh paid tribute to Vozzo’s acumen in reshaping the club’s AFL and AFLW programs, and in leading it in a challenging time.
“His deep understanding of football has been pivotal in reshaping our football programs, which underwent significant transformation under his leadership,” Welsh said.
“The foundations he has helped establish across our AFL and AFLW programs, our commercial operations and our facilities put us in a strong position.
Essendon president Andrew Welsh.Credit: Stephen McKenzie
“Craig has worked incredibly hard leading this club and we recognise his unique expertise in football operations. We are actively exploring options to retain him at Essendon in a consultancy capacity, particularly in our list management and recruiting areas where his knowledge and experience would continue to be invaluable.
“I want to personally thank Craig for his service to our club. He has navigated some challenging periods with integrity and professionalism and leaves us in a stronger position than when he arrived.”
In a separate announcement announcing McGrath’s appointment as skipper, Essendon’s GM of football Daniel McPherson said the 2016 No.1 pick had “overwhelming approval from the playing group and coaching staff”.
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“This is a well-deserved achievement and a fitting honour for someone who’s frequently set the example of exactly what an Essendon person should be,” McPherson said.
“We’re thrilled for Andy and we know he’ll handle the responsibility with the level of character and dedication we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him.”
Merrett won’t have any leadership title moving forward, but McPherson said he “did himself proud” in his time as captain.
“Although he won’t be in a formal role this season, he remains an integral person for our players to look up to and learn from,” McPherson said.
“We can’t wait to throw our support behind Andy and the group as they lead our club forward to bigger and better things.”
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