Essendon wishes to announce that VFL Senior Coach Blake Caracella will depart the club to take up an Assistant Coaching role with the Richmond Football Club next season.
A premiership winner with the Bombers as a player in 2000, Caracella returned to the club as an assistant coach ahead of the 2020 season following successful stints in similar roles with Richmond, Geelong and Collingwood.
After four years as an assistant coach, Caracella was appointed as VFL Senior Coach ahead of this season, playing a key role in the development of a new-look squad throughout the course of the season as the side won six of its final seven games, narrowly missing out on a finals spot.
GM – AFL Daniel McPherson thanked Caracella for his service to the club, highlighting his impact over a long period of time in different roles.
“Blake has been a terrific contributor to the Essendon Football Club, initially as a 126-game Premiership player and more recently in a number of different coaching roles from 2020-2024, including leading our VFL program this season.”
“We thank 'Cara' for his significant contribution to our club in recent years and wish him all the best in his new role with the Tigers.”
Caracella reflected positively on his five seasons at Essendon.
“I have many fond memories, both playing and coaching, at the Essendon Football Club. I wish the players and supporters success in the near future,” Caracella said.
