Essendon Bombers News

The Bombers have called a press conference where they announce that Matthew Knights has coached his last game after three years at the club.

Retiring umpire Scott McLaren speaks about his clash with James Hird in 2004 when the Bomber champion publicly criticised him on television.

"I see James at the footy, when he's commentating, and we say hello and there's certainly no issue there," McLaren said.

"I don't think James realised the impact of what he was saying. It affects grassroots footy because people think it gives them the right to go out and abuse umpires in suburban and country leagues and that's not what we're about."

Bomber champion James Hird admits he has a desire to coach Essendon, but not at the expense of Matthew Knights.

"There's something in me, deep in my heart, that says at some point I want to coach Essendon," Hird told the Herald Sun.

"If I'm not good enough or fail, so be it. But I am also a supporter of Matthew Knights."

Assistant coaches Scott Camporeale and Ashley Prescott will resign from their positions with Essendon at the end of the 2010 season.

"Scott and Ash have been integral to the development of our young group and we are grateful for the role they have played over the past three years," Essendon coach Matthew Knights said.

"We understand that both of the guys are raising young families and it is important that they do what is best for them."

Essendon's Alwyn Davey has broken both bones in his arm and will miss the remainder of the season.

"Alwyn had it confirmed last night that both his bones have cracks in them," Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"The next step will be to see the specialist to determine whether he will need a plate or whether we will put it in plaster and let it heal naturally, because there hasn't been a displacement.

"The specialist will determine what the further action is and we will know from there."

Michael Hurley admits his start to the season was slow but says relegating off-field issues to the past has helped his recover lost form.

"I've put that behind me now and the boys have played well the last couple of weeks and hopefully my form can continue," Hurley said.

"I did struggle early on but I think being thrown down back and sort of having a sound spot for the last three or four weeks has helped. It's gradually getting better."

Essendon's Michael Hurley earned his second NAB AFL Rising Star nomination with a 30-possession game against St Kilda.

Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton may have played his last game for 2010 after suffering broken ribs against St Kilda.

"There is a reasonable chance he will miss the remainder of the season because normally with these types of injuries you miss three to four weeks and we only have four weeks of the home and away season left," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

Essendon sends former Hawk Mark Williams in for season-ending ankle surgery.

"We have reached the conclusion that the time is right for Mark to have surgery and that will happen next week," Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"He will have his ankle operated on and will then undergo a period of rehabilitation. Having surgery now will allow him to be fit and firing and ready to go on day one of pre-season training."

Essendon forward Angus Monfries will stay at Windy Hill at least until the end of 2012 after signing a two-year deal.

"I think it is an exciting time for the footy club and I am confident in the direction that the club is heading in," he said.

"I am certain that future success isn't far away and that we can win a premierhsip. We have the programs and coaching staff behind the playing group."

Essendon defender Tayte Pears will be sidelined for eight weeks after undergoing pancreas surgery.

"This is a serious injury and he has had a fairly major operation," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"The operation went well and it was great news that there was no tear. The doctors are confident he will make a full recovery."

Nathan Lovett-Murray has thrown his support behind former Essendon teammate Andrew Lovett who has resumed playing football with East Perth in the WAFL.

"He was just happy to be back playing football and trying to forget about everything else that's going on," Lovett-Murray said.

"He just wants to concentrate on his football and let the lawyers handle that side of things."

Robert DiPierdomenico is stood down by the AFL from his role as AusKick ambassador after a racist gaffe involving Port Adelaide and Essendon great Gavin Wanganeen.

DiPierdomenico was on record as saying that Wanganeen was "not too bad for an abo" at a footy function.

"I feel very ashamed of the words that I used, and I know that words can hurt and I hurt a lot of people ... and to be stood down from the AFL, I feel very ashamed of that," DiPierdomenico said.

Essendon's Michael Hurley says he is remorseful for his attack on an Indian taxi driver.

"I really just remember being out with mates and having a good time, and then the later it got the less I remember. Then I can't remember anything," Hurley said.

"I just want to stress that it wasn't racially based. People are entitled to their opinions, but that's the first thing they look at and it makes you feel pretty sick to the stomach.

"Essendon gave me a lot of support and I have to give that back, and the best way to do that is to play good football."

Essendon's Michael Hurley has been placed on a two-year good behaviour bond after fronting Melbourne Magistrates Court for assaulting a taxi driver.

"There is no excuse for my behaviour - it was totally unacceptable and I have no one to blame but myself," Hurley told Essendon's website.

"Unfortunately, that night I had too much to drink and I made a serious mistake which I deeply regret."

Jason Laycock has surgery on his broken foot meaning his season is over, and possibly his career.

Matthew Knights says the ball is in Bendigo Bombers coach Shannon Grant's court after his weekend arrest for public drunkenness.

Grant has been stood down from match-day duties since his arrest.

"If it comes to the crunch and Shannon's ever in that position and he goes to the board and presents, well that's going to be their call," Knights said.

"Time does heal, so Shannon's got to get back and coach well now and work well with our young players and work well at the Bendigo end and just see what goes."

Essendon's Jake Melksham has been nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star for his performance in a stirring win against St Kilda.

Cale Hooker is set to miss a month of football after a hamstring tear.

Ruckman David Hille has re-signed with Essendon until the end of the 2012 season.

"This contract will see me stay at the Bombers until I am 31 years old," Hille said.

"That will be 13 years at the one club which is something I am proud of. I am one of the senior guys now and it's good to be able to help the young guys develop during this period of transition at the club.

"We are looking to develop a team that can compete in September and it's a good time to be at Essendon."

Essendon's Andrew Welsh failed to get his kneeing charge downgraded from intentional to reckless and will miss the next four matches.

"Unfortunately the tribunal didn't agree with that view and we have to accept the outcome," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"We are obviously disappointed because Andrew is an important player for us and to have him missing for that period of time is disappointing."

Rick Dyson is expected to miss up to eight weeks with a knee injury.

"Ricky Dyson [is] going to miss between four to eight weeks with a knee injury which is a blow," Bombers coach Matthew Knights said.

"Ricky's been a really consistent player and structurally very sound for us ... his career's really come on for us the last couple of years."

Michael Hurley signs on with Essendon for the next two years, warding off any potential lucrative offershas from the Gold Coast.

"I think he's a person of enormous character. He wants to play for the Essendon Football Club," Hurley's manager Paul Connors said.

"We really do have a wonderful sport and a wonderful culture and Michael loves the culture at Essendon."

Scans reveal a fractured hand for Kyle Reimers.

Essendon key defender Tayte Pears is set to miss the next couple of months after breaking his arm during the Bombers' Anzac Day clash against Collingwood.

"It's really disappointing for Tayte and the team - it is one of those disappointing collision injuries that can happen," Bombers' football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"He has had a really good start to the year but unfortunately we are going to have to do without him for 6-8 weeks and we will be looking for others to step up and fill his spot."

A survey of coaches says Nic Naitanui can become the competition's premier player, ahead of Michael Hurley and Cyril Rioli.

Michael Hurley says he can't wait to get back on the field again when he resumes from his club-imposed ban against West Coast at Subiaco.

"It's great to be back in the team and I can't wait to run out for the Bombers on Friday night," Hurley said.

"It will be good to get the chance to repay the faith the club has shown in me and hopefully we can get a win for our fans.

"It has been hard watching from the sidelines, so hopefully I can come back and help the boys out. I am very proud to be an Essendon player and I can't wait to represent the club again."

Essendon midfielder Mark McVeigh spends a fifth night in hospital as he continues his recovery from an infection caused by a cut in his arm.

"Mark is feeling much better which is great and he has had plenty of visitors from the club which has kept his spirits up," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

Young Geelong forward Steven Motlop will be sidelined for three months with a shoulder injury after being accidentally kneed in the back by teammate Tom Hawkins during the Cats' clash with Hawthorn.

Motlop, who had both shoulders rebuilt after being drafted in 2008, has avoided having to have a shoulder reconstruction and underwent a "bone moving" procedure this week instead.

Another night in hospital due to an infected arm is likely to see Essendon's Mark McVeigh miss the clash with Carlton.

"It's probably tough to say at the moment," Essendon coach Matthew Knights said.

"If he stays in hospital for another day or two he'd probably be unlikely, but if he gets out this afternoon, we'll have a look at it."

Midfielder Mark McVeigh will spend a second night in hospital after a small cut in his arm became infected.

McVeigh said he experienced soreness in his arm during Essendon's clash with Fremantle. He will be put on a drip and monitored during his stay in hospital.

Talks continue between Essendon and Collingwood as both sides seek to reach a compromise on naming a stand at Etihad Stadium after Bomber champion Matthew Lloyd.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says he will support Essendon's decision to rename a stand after Lloyd as long as it does not affect the current Coventry stand.

"In promoting a current-day player, let's not denigrate anyone else. There is a reason why the Coventry name is there and that is to look back and remember how football actually got to where it is today," McGuire said.

Bomber Mark McVeigh says he is still disappointed with former teammate Adam McPhee choosing to leave the club for Fremantle.

"I wanted him to be honest with us why he was leaving and he had his reasons," McVeigh said on The Footy Show.

"He's a very big family man and he wanted to look after his family and of course he wanted a three-year deal and he moved on. I was disappointed and so were the players because he was an integral part of our group for a long time."

Essendon big man David Hille is planning to put his reconstructed knee to the test against Geelong in the Bombers' 2010 season opener.

"I'm of the opinion that if you're out there you go for it. I'm more than confident in my knee and I'm looking forward to getting out there," Hille said.

"I'm assuming that with any reconstruction there is an amount of risk that is greater than an unreconstructed knee. It's something everyone has and takes the risk of when they play."

Essendon's Ben Howlett will make his AFL debut against reigning premier Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

"Ben Howlett will play his first game, which is a great story considering what will happen in the next few years with Gold Coast and Western Sydney coming in," Bombers assistant coach Scott Camporeale said.

"The 21 to 22 year-olds that have missed out in previous drafts are going to get looked at."

New Essendon captain Jobe Watson says the leadership group's decision to suspend Michael Hurley over an off-field incident could benefit the youngster.

"I think he showed last year how talented a player he is. But for a guy only coming in to his second year, it might not be such a bad thing to not have the whole season to try and get up. Often guys can get a lull in their form, just with the demands of it being different to underage footy," Watson said.

"I think he will come in, be fresh and ready to go and have a lot of training under his belt. The side will be looking forward to him coming in."

Essendon ruckman David Hille says the Bombers leadership group deliberated long and hard to decide Michael Hurley's club punishment for assaulting a taxi driver.

"It's a process that took a long period of time to come to and it's been well documented, but we wanted to get it right," Hille said.

"(We wanted) to take into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. I think that's why we've been cautious with dealing with the issue."

Essendon draftee Anthony Long fulfilled a childhood dream when he lined up for the Bombers in his uncle's famous No. 13 jumper in a NAB Challenge match against Sydney in Blacktown.

"It was definitely a dream. I have gone for the Bombers since I can remember," Long said.

"It was fun just running out and to hear some of the supporters calling out. It was good to get the feel for the game and get a run in the senior team."

Michael Hurley won't be available for selection until round four after Essendon announced further penalty for his attack on a taxi driver.

Hurley will also be required to complete an alcohol counseling course while being involved in at least 20 hours' community service during the 2010 season.

"As the matter is only part-heard Michael cannot make any comment today," Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said.

"The club will release a statement later in the day, but it can be confirmed that Michael will not be available for selection until round four of the AFL season."

Essendon's Leroy Jetta will be out of action for up to six weeks with a thumb injury which he dislocated during a practice match between the reserve grade Essendon and Richmond sides.

"Obviously there is a period following the operation where you can't do much because you can't allow for the extra bleeding and things, but once it has settled down he can join in and run around and build it up from there," Essendon's general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"It is most disappointing from the perspective that he is a player that knows this is an important year for him and he wanted to get off to a good start and unfortunately it hasn't happened for him."

Essendon is confident Michael Hurley will resist the temptation of a bigger contract with the Gold Coast and remain at Essendon for his career.

"I have no doubt Michael Hurley will be a career Essendon player," Bombers chief executive Ian Robson said.

"I have had a range of conversations with Michael and his family and Michael knows where he stands with us.

Essendon key forward Scott Gumbleton may play in the Bombers' NAB Challenge match on February 27 after progress with his injured back.

"We will ease him back into things and hopefully get him back on track again sooner rather than later," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton told the club's official website.

"It's probably a bit early to call, but it is looking more unlikely than likely for Gumbleton to line up in the challenge match - but it's still early days and he is tracking well so you never know."

Michael Hurley, who is facing assault charges, has been suspended by Essendon and will face further sanctions in the future.

"Michael made a serious mistake and he is extremely remorseful for his actions," Essendon CEO Ian Robson said.

"He accepts that the club has imposed this sanction, and will take further action, and he will continue to fully co-operate with police and the courts."

A back spasm sustained during a training incident has cost injury-prone Scott Gumbleton his place in Essendon's NAB Cup match against West Coast .

"He slightly twisted and locked up his back", said Essendon coach Matthew Knights.

"However, Jason Winderlich copped a heavy knock last season, had a back spasm, then three or four days later freed up pretty well. We're hoping it's along similar lines to that."

Brent Prismall hopes to benefit from a successful pre-season leading into 2010.

"Pre-season this year compared to last year is completely different," Prismall said.

"I came into the club and just did swimming by myself. But this year it's been great and you can't undervalue what a full pre-season does for you.

"Just to be out training with the boys every day is great. So hopefully I reap the rewards from that this year."

Essendon footballer Nathan Lovett-Murray avoids conviction on an unlicensed driving charge.

Lovett-Murray was instead ordered to make a $300 donation to a charity of his choice and to write a letter to the police officer who charged him to express his gratitude for their leniency.

Bomber Jason Laycock will miss at least half of the NAB Cup as he recovers from a calf injury.

"He's quite frustrated, as is everyone on his behalf," coach Matthew Knights said.

"We'd love him out here playing but he's coming back from a calf injury and he'll up his training this week but we won't take him to Subiaco next week."

David Hille made a strong case for inclusion in Essendon's round one side with a good showing in an intraclub hit-out at Shepparton.

"He's cleared all the hurdles up to this point with his rehabilitation, so if he keeps going down this track, we'd be pretty confident he could line up," Essendon coach Matthew Knights said.

"He's a leader of this football club and he's got a big, strong body, which is really important against the really good sides in the competition.

Essendon big man David Hille will have his first competitive hitout in an intraclub match at Shepparton today since succumbing to a knee injury in 2009.

"For David Hille in particular this is another little stepping stone in his recovery," Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"He's been involved in competitive training but this is our first match as such."

Matthew Lloyd will join Ray Allsopp, Neil Balme and Laurie Dwyer as AFL Life Members at next month's annual general meeting.

"The AFL has been privileged to watch a great career in Matthew Lloyd, that finished at the end of the 2009 season," AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said.

"Matthew was a person who pulled people to our game with his skill and he will be missed by Essendon supporters and his achievements are recognised by all football fans.

Veteran Andrew Welsh explains that he never had any intetion of walking out on the Bombers last year and says that he is excited about where the club is heading.

"I'm a local boy, I love the club, and we've been through a lot of hard years and I think we're on the way up," Welsh said.

"The signs are promising - we've got a lot of hard work to do, but I want to be a part of that as much as any other boy here."

Young Bomber David Zaharakis hopes to continue to improve in his second year of AFL football in 2010.

"First year you don't really have any expectations, but second year all those expectations can creep up on you if you have a reasonable first season. I don't feel a lot of pressure at the moment, but I just want to have a consistent second year," Zaharakis said.

"That's been a big goal of mine and I'm really putting my head down to get in the senior side and stay there consistently."

Essendon's Henry Slattery says that being a senior player means 2010 will be a big year for him.

"I'd say this is one of the most important years for me," Slattery said.

"You want to improve every year, and we've got such a young list and I'm one of the senior players now.

"When you have older blokes like Scotty Lucas, Lloydy and Adam McPhee go, it's another reason for you to step up."

Michael Hurley has had the plaster removed after an off-season operation to his wrist that was injured during training.

"He had an incident on Monday whereby he jarred his wrist, but he went in and the docs cleared him, and he came out and trained today, so that would be just a little bit of a flow-on from that," Essendon coach Matthew Knights said.

"There's a little bit of soreness still, but it was only a jarring incident, and he'll adjust."

Essendon says Scott Gumbleton will be ready for the NAB Cup, but the club will still be cautious about his return to football.

"He is travelling well," Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said.

"He is doing everything in training and he tested well, so we are happy with his progress."

Essendon recruit Jake Carlisle played representative cricket in the under-16 Dowling Shield and the under-18 Commonwealth Bank Cup before switching to footy.

"I never really took footy that seriously and, in under-16s, I took a year off footy to play cricket because I really wanted to make the Dowling squad," Carlisle said.

"Then my mates encouraged me to play footy at Craigieburn and the Calder Cannons picked me up.

"If I didn't get drafted then cricket was set and I had belief that I could go well. But now I can't wait to play for Essendon."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights would have been happy for any of his six leaders to become captain, but has thrown his support behind Jobe Watson.

"We think the way we have done it is great for us and where we are at as a club. We need our players more empowered and to be more like coaches," Knights said.

"You don't get put into these leadership roles unless you have done the hard yards."

Jobe Watson says the crossroads of the 2007 season helped him choose the path that would take him to Essendon's captaincy.

"It's one of those times where you really have to assess where you're at and where you want to go in footy," Watson said.

"If you're going to get the best out of yourself, you have to continually be challenged and that was one of those times.

"You either take one path or you take the other."

The 24-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his father, Tim, by leading Essendon's premiership campaign in 2010.

"He is a quality person and is a player that has had to work hard to achieve what he has in the game," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said of Watson.

"He leads by example on and off the field. He has an appetite and desire for success and wants to bring people along with him on the journey. Jobe has an outstanding leadership group behind him and I am confident that, as a group, they will unite the club and provide strong direction."

Alwyn Davey says improving his fitness will help with his consistency in 2010.

"I dropped off in the second half of the year in some games, so it would be good to get that right," Davey said.

"I'm hungry to improve more and more every year and that means being more consistent with my game."

Tayte Pears is working hard in the weights room this pre-season in an effort to counter some of the competition's stronger forwards that he struggled against in 2009.

"Being only my second year, my opponents had six, seven, even more years in the gym on me and at times I really felt skinny and scrawny.

"I found ways to work around that, but this year I definitely needed to get a bit bigger and hopefully that should help."

Essendon will rename one end of Etihad Stadium after champion goal-kicker Matthew Lloyd for its home games from next season.

"We are very excited about being able to have one end of the ground named the Matthew Lloyd End and we think this is a very fitting tribute," Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said.

Essendon footballer Nathan Lovett-Murray has escaped a court conviction after a drug charge against him was dismissed today.

Essendon ruckman David Hille may not be ready to play by the time the club faces Geelong next year.

"He's progressed from doing a lot of straight-line running to a lot more football activities," assistant coach Ashley Prescott said.

"With the program he's got, he just needs to reach certain milestones. If he achieves that, he could be a chance but we'll certainly make sure he's achieved all those."

Brent Stanton has put his hand up to captain Essendon following club champion Matthew Lloyd's retirement.

"It would be fantastic. I think it's every kid's dream and it's something I personally aspire to," Stanton said.

"It would be a great privilege to do that."

Essendon youngster Michael Hurley will front Melbourne's Magistrates Court next month after an alcohol-related incident in September where he was charged with assaulting a taxi driver.

Former Bomber Scott Lucas signs with the Greenvalue Football Club for 2010.

"We're obviously very happy with the fact that he's signed at Greenvale," Greenvale president Bruce Kent said.

"No doubt he's had offers to play at other clubs, and we're thrilled he sees his immediate footballing future at Greenvale."

Former Essendon utility Adam McPhee is a step closer to rejoining Fremantle after nominating for the NAB AFL Pre-season Draft.

New Essendon recruit Travis Colyer says he is determined to succeed despite his small stature of 175cm.

"What's helped push me is the success of guys under 180cm in the system. To see them doing well has shown me it doesn't matter how big you are. If you're good enough to play, you're good enough to play," Colyer said.

Bomber Andrew Welsh says the thought of him being traded from Essendon made him sick.

"It gave me a sick feeling that there was talk out there of other clubs," Welsh said.

"I grew up locally, I'm an Essendon person and I love the club. It's where I want to be and play here my whole career.

"It gave me a sick feeling to think that my name was even mentioned. That was a pretty good sign to myself that I don't want to be anywhere else except for here."

Mark McVeigh questions the reasons behind Adam McPhee's exit from Windy Hill.

"It was disappointing. It was a real surprise," he said.

"We would have liked to have known earlier, and maybe we could have got something for him.

"But that's his decision - I know I've read in the papers that he's great mates with (Fremantle coach and former Essendon player) Mark Harvey, and I find that a bit hard to believe."

Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond says the club will do all it can to secure the services of Adam McPhee.

"It would be a great coup for this club if we were able to secure him during the pre-season draft," Bond said.

"We have been speaking to Adam and his management quite closely. We think he'd be able to complement our list very well."

Utility Adam McPhee has rejected Essendon's contract offer and will nominate for the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.

"Naturally we are disappointed and some of our fans will be as well, but we could not reach an agreement with Adam. We offered him a very good two-year deal that we believe was more than fair," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"We only want players here that want to play for this club and Adam has decided he doesn't want to be part of this emerging playing group."

New St Kilda player Andrew Lovett was arrested for drunkeness on the weekend and must now wait while his club's decides his sanction.

"The St Kilda Football club is extremely disappointed that Andrew has put himself in this position," the Saints said in a statement.

"The club is fully investigating what has taken place and will take appropriate action if and when required."

Essendon forward Jay Neagle has had his pre-season disrupted by groin surgery that will sideline him until January.

"He had some groin soreness after the season and we flew him to Sydney. The surgeon felt the best thing for him was rest and rehab. But it didn't appear to be working so he has had an operation," football manager Paul Hamilton said.

Adam McPhee is part of Essendon's second list lodgement to the AFL as his contract negotiations continue.

Essendon utility Adam McPhee has failed to train with the Bombers as his future remains in doubt and Bombers coach Matthew Knights says he must make a decision on his future soon.

"We are going to get a decision today, one way or the other," he said.

"We have put a lot of work into trying to keep Adam at Essendon Football Club and that is obviously our preferred option, but we will just see what evolves in the next few hours."

Guy O'Keefe, Dan O'Keefe and Bryce Carroll will join Geelong's pre-season training in the lead-up to the NAB AFL Draft.

Andrew Welsh and Nathan Lovett-Murray have signed new two-year contracts with Essendon, but utility Adam McPhee remains in limbo.

"Andrew and Nathan are two of the real leaders at the club and as two senior players with strong bodies they will be important to our future success," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

Chief executive Ian Robson is confident that looming discussions with Adam McPhee, Andrew Welsh and their respective managers will be positive.

"They are both required players and I am confident we will be able to resolve it in a positive manner for both parties, with the circumstances where we currently see ourselves, and that they'll stay Essendon players," Robson told radio station SEN.

Essendon leaders Andrew Welsh and Adam McPhee are considering nominating for the draft after being disappointed with two-year deals presented to them after pushing for new three-year contracts.

New Port Adelaide recruit Jay Nash says he feels he has a lot to offer the Power after struggling for senior games at the Bombers.

"Essendon had a stack load of injuries in 2008, so I played a lot of footy and played pretty consistently," Nash said.

"I played a couple of games early this year, but found my way out of the team and couldn't get back in. There are some areas of my game that I need to work on that I didn't improve enough in.

"It was tough, but I'm just looking forward to coming over here."

Essendon's Hayden Skipworth has announced his retirement, ending a career that began with the Adelaide Crows.

"Unfortunately my body is struggling to cope with the AFL workload and I wasn't able to play the sort of footy I wanted to play, especially in the second half of the year," Skipworth told the club's website.

Port Adelaide onballer Shaun Burgoyne will join Hawthorn next season as part of a four-club trade.

The deal will also sees Hawk forward Mark Williams sign a three-year deal with Essendon while Bomber Jay Nash moves to Port Adelaide.

Port Adelaide also receive two first-round draft picks: No.9 (from Hawthorn) and 16 (from Essendon, on-traded by Hawthorn).

Geelong, the fourth club involved in the trade, will swap draft pick 33 in exchange for three additional picks. The Cats took draft selections 40 and 56 from Port Adelaide, and 42 from Essendon.

Essendon midfielder Andrew Lovett has been traded to St Kilda for pick No. 16.

"He's a Melbourne boy and St Kilda's got opportunities in terms of on-field where they're at," Lovett's manager Alex McDonald said.

"You'd think they're pretty close to some success as well. They were the two key things."

Essendon is in no hurry to deal with young defender Michael Hurley's alleged grand final eve indiscretion against a taxi driver.

''In a police context the investigation is ongoing,'' newly appointed Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said yesterday on SEN radio.

''Michael and the club will provide absolute and full co-operation with the police and do all we can.

''We've expressed our disappointment with the fact that Michael was out late and we've thrown our support behind him ... we have to respect the fact that there is a legal and police process to be completed.''

Departed Essendon CEO Peter Jackson said Matthew Knights had done enough to warrant an extension to the end of 2012 as head coach of the club.

"The question for Matthew was, 'has he done enough in the first two years to justify him seeing through that five-year journey?'. I think he has," Jackson said.

Jobe Watson confirmed his status as one of the best midfielders in the game by winning his first best and fairest award at Essendon.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has signed a two-year contract extension to coincide with chief executive Ian Robson's first week on the job.

"I am very excited about the direction this football club is heading," Knights said.

"We have unearthed a number of talented young players this season but there is still a lot of hard work to be done - we are under no illusion about that.

"I want to thank the club for the opportunity to keep working with the playing group to try and achieve premiership success."

Essendon's young gun Michael Hurley has spent several hours in police custody after allegedly kicking and punching a taxi driver following an all-night drinking session.

"We are extremely disappointed that Michael was out so late and that he put himself in a situation where an incident occurred,'' Essendon managing director Peter Jackson said.

"He started drinking at the grand final Footy Show after-party and by night's end he had clearly had too much to drink.

"We are treating the matter very seriously and will take appropriate action once the details are clear. The club will continue speaking with Michael and he will assist police any way he can.''

Essendon's Bachar Houli has had a frustrating two years with injury but thinks he will be ready to go come pre-season training.

"It's been six weeks now, and I went to the doctor to get some more x-rays on the fibula, and it's improving - slowly, though," Houli said.

"They think I'm about four weeks away from running, so hopefully I can be back by pre-season.

"We're back around November 9, so hopefully I'll get a few weeks in me and build a basic running base before we start training, and from there, be ready to go."

Matthew Lloyd says the five-man leadership group will be able to cover the his departure as captain of Essendon.

"We've got a leadership group this year that I've loved working with, and they've all got strong qualities," Lloyd said.

"I think it will come from the playing group voting for who they best feel should captain the club, along with the board and the coaches."

Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd has announced his retirement from football.

"Mentally I've gone to the well and haven't been thriving in the game as I have in the past," Lloyd said.

"I'd rather go a year too early than a year too late.

"99 per cent of people said to play on but I felt it was the right time from a mental and physical point of view."

Andrew Lovett will not be wearing an Essendon jumper in 2010 with the Bomber midfielder looking to be traded to another club for a second time after a failed attempt to move in 2009.

"It is disappointing, obviously, because I love Essendon and the people there. I have got great friends there and will always love Essendon so it is sad from that point of view, but by the same token it is exciting for me to think of where I will now be next year," Lovett told The Age.

"I sat down with Knighter and he was really open and honest and so was I. At the end I thanked them for the opportunity, especially the opportunity to play in the midfield, and the chance to play at a great club."

Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd has told the club he needs more time to consider the latest one-year contract offer.

"Matthew said he needs more time to decide if he will sign a new contract and play in 2010, and we are respecting his wishes," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"Naturally the football club, our supporters, sponsors and the wider football public are very interested in his decision but we will not be pressuring Matthew."

Bomber captain Matthew Lloyd has told the club that he needs more time to decide to play on or retire.

"I wanted to find out where he's at and if there was anything we can to do to help him in terms of what he wants to do," Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"He's still undecided at this stage and that's basically where it's at.

"From his point of view, we've told him we want him to play next year.

"But of late, he's had a busy time. He's had the Hawthorn issue, had a baby, and if he needs time to make a decision we should be able to afford him that time, for he is an Essendon champion, and we're more than happy to do that."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights says he hasn't discussed Andrew Lovett's future yet following media reports that the midfielder was seeking a trade from the Bombers.

"We're catching up with all our players in the next two days before they head off on their eight-week leave and I'm sure I'll speak to Andrew in the next 24-48 hours and see if there is any truth in that scenario," Knights said on SEN radio.

"There was some interest from the Sydney Swans but there wasn't a lot of interest in a two-way win-win scenario."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights will meet with Matthew Lloyd later this week to discuss the captain's future at the club amidst unconfirmed reports that the Bomber captain is being strongly considered by Collingwood in 2010.

"Despite significant public interest and media comment surrounding the captain's decision, the club and Lloyd agreed mid-year to meet post-season as part of the player review and list management process and nothing has changed," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

Mark Robinson from the Herald Sun reports that could offer Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd a player contract for 2010 should he not be required at Essendon.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire would neither confirm nor deny this rumour.

"Don't bring this up days out from a big final, but this is a decision for our football department. Any decision on trading will be made at the end of the season," McGuire said.

A security guard assigned to the boundary line reveals what Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said to Bomber captain Matthew Lloyd after the Hawks' loss to Essendon.

Clarkson is heard to have said, "You had better f**king retire you f**king weak c***."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has been given a suspended $5000 fine by the AFL after verbally abusing Matthew Lloyd following Hawthorn's loss to Essendon.

"The AFL is concerned about the potential for such situations to escalate on the ground and also the need for AFL coaches to set a positive example for coaches at all levels," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.

Clarkson said he was sorry for his actions.

"I apologise for my actions after Saturday's match and any embarrassment caused to the AFL," Clarkson said.

"I believe senior coaches should model appropriate behaviour and I fully intend to set a positive example for coaches and others involved across all levels of football."