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Worsfold confirms Essendon aspirations

23rd September, 2015
8

West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold has confirmed he wants to return to AFL senior coaching at Essendon.

The news comes a day after Adelaide announced Worsfold would soon leave the club.

He is the outright favourite to be the Bombers’ next senior coach.

Worsfold, who coached West Coast to the 2006 premiership, had been temporary football director at the Crows since the July 3 death of their coach Phil Walsh.

After saying he was not interested in a return to senior coaching, Worsfold revealed late last month that he had changed his mind.

And on Wednesday, Worsfold said that he wanted to coach the Bombers.

“It took getting back into footy to realise I’m kidding myself – I think I know what I really love doing,” he told the Seven Network.

“It feels like it’s what I should be doing.

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“For that to be a coaching role at Essendon, obviously I have to show them that I have the energy, the hunger and the ability to fulfil what they’re looking for.”

It is understood that Essendon’s coaching sub-committee will meet with Worsfold by the end of the week.

“I’ve been given a brief on what I’m expected to present, as the other (candidates) will,” he said.

“They don’t really know me yet.

“They might know of me, but they really need to hear from me what I’m all about.

Worsfold’s initial about-face on senior coaching prompted Essendon to send a high-level club delegation to Adelaide for a meeting with him.

But the Bombers have strongly denied persistent speculation that they offered Worsfold a five-year deal.

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Worsfold stepped aside from his role as AFL Coaches Association chairman during his time at the Crows.

“John’s decision to explore the Bombers role comes after his three-month stint at Adelaide, during which time he whetted his appetite for life as an AFL coach,” coaches association chief executive Mark Brayshaw said in a statement.

“We wish him well as he meets with Essendon and, if he decides to formally apply for the role, we would wholeheartedly endorse his application.”

Worsfold is West Coast’s longest-serving senior coach after being in charge from 2002-13.

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