The Bombers have confirmed their coaching structure for season 2020, with two key appointments to strengthen the club’s development program.
Leigh Tudor and Cam Roberts will join the red and black, working closely with the club’s VFL backline and midfield respectively.
Tudor’s responsibilities at The Hangar include leading the Bombers’ development program - the Jack Jones Academy - for the first-to-fourth-year players.
He arrives at the club with a wealth of playing and coaching experience, playing 68 games for North Melbourne (eight) and Geelong (60) respectively, before transitioning into a coaching role.
During his time as a coach, Tudor steered Geelong’s VFL side to a premiership in 2007 before making the move to St Kilda where he was involved in the Saints’ two Grand Final appearances in 2009 and 2010.
Tudor then worked at Sydney alongside John Longmire in 2012 where he was involved in their premiership the same year.
Tudor joined the Kangaroos’ coaching panel in 2013 where he led the midfield line and most recently the forward line, in what was a seven-year stint at Arden Street.
Leigh Tudor led North Melbourne's forward line this year. (Image: AFL Photos)
In what is a non-traditional pathway to the coaching ranks, Roberts brings a wide range of experience working both in football and the corporate world.
In his most recent position, Roberts led the Melbourne University Blacks Football Club in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
His experience off-field includes working at the Australian Prostate Centre, focusing on developing help-seeking behaviours to address health and wellbeing. His understanding and passion for welfare will assist in his role working closely with the Bombers’ development players.
As announced in October, senior coach John Worsfold will continue to lead the Bombers this season, with Ben Rutten serving as senior assistant coach as part of a 12-month transition before assuming the top job for 2021.
Essendon premiership player Blake Caracella returns to the red and black with over a decade of coaching experience. His role will include driving the midfield group and team attack. Mark Harvey will work closely with Caracella, heading up team stoppages.
After leading the club’s VFL program for the past two seasons, Dan Jordan will lead the forward line, while James Kelly will oversee the backline.
After spending five years as a development coach at the Bombers, Mark Corrigan will take the reins as the club’s VFL head coach with Tudor and Roberts’ assistance.
2020 Coaching Structure
Senior coach – John Worsfold
Senior assistant coach and team defence – Ben Rutten
Assistant coach – midfield and attack – Blake Caracella
Assistant coach – forwards – Dan Jordan
Assistant coach – backline – James Kelly
Assistant coach – stoppages – Mark Harvey
Development coach and VFL head coach – Mark Corrigan
Development coach and VFL backline coach – Leigh Tudor
Development coach and VFL midfield coach – Cam Roberts
