Essendon has appointed Rob Harding as its new Game Intelligence and Opposition Strategy Coach. 

Harding joins the Bombers after working in the AFL for the last decade, most recently at Adelaide Crows. 

Alongside John Worsfold and Mark Neeld, he’ll play a key role in formulating Essendon’s game day strategy and opposition analysis. 

“The opportunity to work with John Worsfold was really exciting for me,” Harding said. 

“This is a massive Club and I’m really excited by the prospect of being involved on ANZAC Day, there are so many members and supporters.

“The opportunity to come back to Victoria, where I’m from originally, work for a big Victorian Club is too good to pass up.”

Harding says there is a natural temptation to implement the game plan of the reigning premier.

But the key is taking part of that strategy and then adding further layers to it.  

“The great challenge for every club is to not try and copy what has just been successful but to try and get ahead of the game and move to the next level,” Harding said.

“We’ll look at what the Bulldogs did really well, what Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong do really well and we might take bits of that. 

“But we’ll also look at how we can beat that and go to the next stage.

“The Bulldogs with their ability to run and carry is outstanding, Hawthorn is still a great side, Geelong – the way they move the ball and the way they defend – so there is a lot to look at.

“I think the game is going to go in a couple of different directions – it’s going to be interesting to see which way it goes.  

“Looking through the team, there are so many guys that played a large number of games last year and there will be great competition for spots with the guys returning as well.

“It’s a great time for the footy club and I’m really excited to be involved with it.”