Essendon’s surprise bid to the AFL for assistance is reportedly gaining momentum.
Plus, there’s “a lot of talk” around a Collingwood captaincy change for the 2027 season, as well as “disconnect” between one mastermind and his player. Read on in AFL Daily.
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
BOMBERS’ BID FOR ASSISTANCE REPORTEDLY GROWS
Essendon’s surprise bid to the AFL for an assistance package at the end of the year is reportedly looking more and more likely.
AFL Media suggested as much on Tuesday night, while also revealing the club has pitched to the league that Tasmania should not be able to bid on tied players, such as its 2027 father-son prospect Koby Bewick.
The Bombers are understood to be seeking assistance similar to that granted to West Coast last off-season, which saw the Eagles handed an end-of-first-round draft pick and extra rookie list spots across a three-year period.
West Coast’s assistance package came after the club managed just 11 wins across four seasons; a prolonged period at the very bottom of the ladder that included two wooden spoons.
Conversely, while the Bombers have struggled this year following an injury-ravaged 2025 campaign, they incredibly sat second on the ladder at the conclusion of Round 12, 2024 — barely two years ago.
Any assistance package granted to Essendon at year’s end would differ from those previously awarded to West Coast, North Melbourne (2023) and Gold Coast (2019), with all three clubs having enduring several uncompetitive seasons before receiving AFL assistance.
‘Only one who can save Essendon’ | 07:54
‘LOT OF TALK’: HISTORIC PIES CAPTAINCY CHANGE ON CARDS?
As questions persist over Darcy Moore’s long-term health, there’s been “a lot of talk” around an historic captaincy change at Collingwood.
The Magpies have never officially gone down the co-captaincy route, but with Moore unavailable through the rest of the season amid recurring soft-tissue injuries, conversations are being had.
It’s not to say the 30-year-old premiership skipper has relinquished anything as yet, but according to Midweek Tackle’s Glenn McFarlane, a shake-up could be on the cards.
“The Pies have never officially had co-captains … but there’s a lot of talk about a co-captaincy next year with Nick Daicos and Brayden Maynard,” McFarlane revealed on Fox Footy.
“That’s not saying that Darcy Moore won’t be there.”
Putting in his own two cents, he added: “Two words for me – Nick Daicos. He should be captain next year; there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind.”
Colleague Jon Ralph told Midweek Tackle: “It’s a decision for Darcy Moore; they’ll work through that.
“But for me, I think those two blokes – one of them a bit more clean-cut, one a bit more rough around the edges – I think they would be absolutely perfect co-captains.”
Such a move could lighten the burden on the hamstrung Moore, who during his spell out consulted with specialists in San Francisco in a bid to overcome the dreaded injuries that have hampered him of late.
Moore played just four games this season following four years of 20-plus senior appearances.
Regarding enhancing his leadership capabilities, Daicos told AFL 360 on Tuesday night: “My leadership is something I’m trying to take to another level.
“I’ve seen Brayden Maynard alongside me at the moment, who’s doing an unbelievable job, and he’s really inspiring for me.”
MORE COVERAGE:
TRIBUNAL: Shock verdict as Tribunal finds Pie tackled dangerously… but overturns his ban anyway
TEAM TIPS: Blues reveal over star as gun cops setback; Swans in line for big boost
TRADE WHISPERS: Bombers sights set on new $1m trade target; the ‘gettable’ Cat linked to Blues
Pies veterans under the spotlight | 02:18
FRESH SUNS UNREST CLAIMS
Four weeks on from reports of “strained” player relationships, a fresh claim has emerged over Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast.
The Suns are in the midst of a dismal seven-game losing streak as finals football begins to slip out of the picture.
And after batting away suggestions of internal rifts a month ago, Hardwick will have to do more of the same after Seven’s Caroline Wilson reported a “disconnect” between the coach and two of his highest-profile disciples.
“My understanding is that … in some areas, the situation has not improved, but in fact got worse,” Wilson told Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.
“I think there is a disconnect, now, between Damien Hardwick and Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell.
“I’m not saying they’ve fallen out, but I don’t think the respect is there that it was, and I don’t think the relationship is fantastic.”
Wilson added: “Damien Hardwick doesn’t have the relationship with his players that he had at Richmond.”
Gold Coast’s most recent disappointment came at the hands of Adelaide last Saturday night, falling by 79 points to enter Round 19 in 14th spot with a 7-10 record.
Post-game at Adelaide Oval, Hardwick eyebrow-raisingly remarked that his club’s year was “effectively gone” – despite sitting just one win and percentage out of the wildcard picture with six games left.
Suns CEO Mark Evans was quick to publicly clarify Hardwick’s remarks, saying: “That comment was a reaction to how we felt after a performance well below our best, and what’s needed to compete with the best in the competition.”