Essendon has been hit by further upheaval after the club’s decision to sack coach Brad Scott, with two key staff members stepping away from the Bombers environment. Midfield assistant Ben Jacobs and club psychologist Ben Robbins have both quit their roles at the club, adding a new layer of disruption to a period that is already shaped by coaching instability.
The departures come just ahead of Essendon’s important away fixture. The Bombers are set to travel to Perth to face West Coast on Sunday, meaning that the club will have to adjust quickly to cover roles and maintain continuity for a team preparing for a high-stakes match.
While the sack of Brad Scott was the catalyst for the personnel change, Jacobs and Robbins’ exits highlight how the impact of coaching decisions can spread beyond the head coach position. As a midfield assistant, Ben Jacobs would typically be closely involved in the day-to-day planning and development of the team’s engine room—work that affects structure, stoppages, transitions, and how players are coached through weekly match preparation. A club psychologist such as Ben Robbins, meanwhile, plays an important part in supporting players and staff, particularly during periods of pressure and uncertainty. The combined loss of these two positions suggests Essendon could face challenges not only on the field, but also in maintaining the mental and cultural stability that supports performance.
Essendon’s timeline is tight. With the West Coast trip looming, the club must move quickly to ensure adequate staffing coverage and to keep players focused amid uncertainty. Even where replacements or interim support can be arranged, the disruption of established working relationships can be significant. Players often benefit from consistent coaching and wellbeing structures, and abrupt staff changes can lead to a period of adjustment.
This latest news also reflects the broader reality of AFL club operations: coaching changes can trigger immediate shifts across an organisation, particularly when staff members feel alignment with the new direction is unclear or when their working arrangements change. Jacobs and Robbins quitting after the Brad Scott sacking indicates they chose to step away rather than continue under a reorganised structure.
For Essendon, the challenge is twofold. First, there is the immediate operational issue—how training and match preparation will be conducted with fewer members of the coaching and support staff. Second, there is the performance issue. The Bombers’ upcoming match against West Coast in Perth is not simply another fixture; it is an away trip that requires strong preparation, adaptability, and composure. With the team already operating in a climate shaped by the coaching shake-up, any additional instability can influence how quickly the group locks into the game plan.
West Coast will also be watching closely. When an opponent arrives with recent internal change, it can create opportunities if the transition affects form, confidence, or clarity. Even if the players remain committed and well supported, staff departures can alter the pace of decisions on match week and the way game strategies are reinforced.
Essendon’s situation will likely draw attention from supporters and AFL observers, especially because it suggests a wider ripple effect following the head coach’s departure. Fans may wonder how quickly the club can restore stability and whether further changes could follow. The fact that both a tactical coaching role and a wellbeing-focused position are affected could raise questions about the club’s internal processes and communication during the sacking period.
In the near term, the key focus remains Sunday’s match in Perth. Essendon will aim to concentrate on performance and minimise the distractions created by staff departures, while the club management works to address the immediate staffing gaps. How the Bombers respond—both in preparation and on the field—will be crucial.
According to AFLcomau, Essendon’s midfield assistant Ben Jacobs and club psych Ben Robbins have both quit the Bombers after the club sacked Brad Scott, with the moves arriving ahead of the trip to Perth to face West Coast on Sunday (Source: AFLcomau).
Callum Twomey: Breaking – Essendon midfield assistant Ben Jacobs and club psych Ben Robbins have both quit the Bombers after the club’s decision to sack Brad Scott. It comes ahead of the Bombers’ trip to Perth to face West Coast on Sunday. @AFLcomau. #breaking
— @CalTwomey May 1, 2026
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