Essendon’s new high-performance team has already seen major changes “backed by data” as the players endure a gruelling pre-season.
The Bombers “heavily invested” in their football department, making wholesale changes that ended with respected figures Mathew Inness and David Regan joining the club.
The move was inspired by the club’s unprecedented amount of injuries throughout 2025, resulting in a record 15 debutants and 44 players used.
“Off field, we’ve strengthened our football department,” president Andrew Welsh said at the club’s 2025 AGM.
“This includes Mathew Inness (Head of high performance) and David Regan (S&C coach), which I know from talking to many of the players. This has had a significant impact on them already, in the quality and intensity of pre-season.
“We’ve heavily invested in our football department to enhance development, strengthened our high-performance environment and given our coaches every tool available to take this list forward.”
Essendon GM of Football Dan McPherson provided more context on the changes to the training program implemented by Innes and Regan.
“They’ve brought renewed confidence to the playing group,” Dan McPherson said.
“The training, since we’ve got back, has been at an unbelievable level. We’ve got great numbers on the track, which is a great sign and a great starting point, which then allows the coaches to add layers on top of how we train.
“You would’ve noticed that there’s a lot more speed, a lot more intent. Everything is done with great purpose.
“The sessions don’t go as long as they have normally been going last pre-season, but the amount of work the players are getting in, particularly in the high level and high speed volume, is significantly different to last year.
“That’s backed up by the data. The last three weeks, we’ve had the highest speed volume in our training that we’ve had in the last two years.
“The guys are getting a lot of good quality work in, without having to be out on the track for three or four hours at a time.”
The new era at Essendon will also be headed by a new captain, with Andrew McGrath stepping into the role following Zach Merrett’s decision to stand down.
McGrath assumes the position after Merrett’s failed attempt to depart for Hawthorn in the trade period.
The Bombers also announced McGrath’s support staff, with Kyle Langford, Mason Redman and Nic Martin shaping the extended leadership group.
Emerging duo Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell have been recognised as future leaders and have been added to support McGrath, as has recruit Brayden Fiorini, who has impressed since crossing from Gold Coast.
Elsewhere, Angus Clarke signed a two-year extension until the end of 2028 after an impressive debut season. He played 14 games in 2025.