Aug 12, 2026 · 19 min · 8 segments
Dean Solomon has pulled the pin, James Hird is surging, and the Essendon coaching race just cracked wide open on the Essendon Bombers Clubcast. • Tom Morris unveils the Prediction Pie and one 1%…
Caroline WilsonPanelist
Mitch ClearyPanelist
Kane CornesPanelist
Nick RiewoldtPanelist
Damian BarrettPanelist
James BrayshawHost
Luke HodgePanelist
Tom MorrisPanelist
News out of Essendon late this afternoon, and that is Dean Solomon has withdrawn, or has actually en- uh, chosen not to enter the race to be the club's next senior coach.
My understanding is he spoke to Tim Roberts, the CEO, yesterday, and confirmed that he wouldn't be part of the process, which leaves four.
This was Solly's decision, and one that he has c- uh, considered deeply over recent times.
Anyone who knows Solly knows he has always put the Essendon Football Club before himself, and this decision reflects the same selflessness and integrity that has defined his contribution throughout his time at the club.
Tom, do you think this is the right call for Dean Solomon not to enter this process?
Well, it, it makes it hard when you've got a, a losing record to, to be in the running for it, I think.
I do wonder, though, with, with the wording of that statement, whether he's been, you know, told that this is the case, or whether he actually has put his hand up and, and doesn't wanna go for the job.
I would've thought, you know, I had heard previously that he did wanna go for it.
Well, I, I mean, as I said, I think it, I think it bodes well for James Hird.
It's interesting, isn't it? So we've gone through sort of the James Hird era of favoritism, then Sol- Solomon was all of a sudden, um, the, you know, the, the flavor of the week or whatever it might have been.
But to have gone from a period where when Brad Scott was moved on, you went through the list and you thought the next coach of Essendon is coming from one of James Hird, because that noise has been there for a number of years.
And then it's, it's Longmire, it's Hinkley, it's Adam Simpson, it's, uh, Simon Goodwin.
As you said, Tom, I think it's hard for him a- with a one and eight record so far to actually submit himself to this process.
News out of Essendon late this afternoon, and that is Dean Solomon has withdrawn, or has actually en- uh, chosen not to enter the race to be the club's next senior coach.
My understanding is he spoke to Tim Roberts, the CEO, yesterday, and confirmed that he wouldn't be part of the process, which leaves four.
This was Solly's decision, and one that he has c- uh, considered deeply over recent times.
Anyone who knows Solly knows he has always put the Essendon Football Club before himself, and this decision reflects the same selflessness and integrity that has defined his contribution throughout his time at the club.
Tom, do you think this is the right call for Dean Solomon not to enter this process?
Well, it, it makes it hard when you've got a, a losing record to, to be in the running for it, I think.
I do wonder, though, with, with the wording of that statement, whether he's been, you know, told that this is the case, or whether he actually has put his hand up and, and doesn't wanna go for the job.
I would've thought, you know, I had heard previously that he did wanna go for it.
Well, I, I mean, as I said, I think it, I think it bodes well for James Hird.
It's interesting, isn't it? So we've gone through sort of the James Hird era of favoritism, then Sol- Solomon was all of a sudden, um, the, you know, the, the flavor of the week or whatever it might have been.
But to have gone from a period where when Brad Scott was moved on, you went through the list and you thought the next coach of Essendon is coming from one of James Hird, because that noise has been there for a number of years.
And then it's, it's Longmire, it's Hinkley, it's Adam Simpson, it's, uh, Simon Goodwin.
As you said, Tom, I think it's hard for him a- with a one and eight record so far to actually submit himself to this process.
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