Dean Solomon is awaiting a “pat on the back” from the club’s management but has not yet committed to a permanent role.
Dean Solomon watches the match between Essendon and St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in Round 17, 2026. Photo: Getty Images
AS MOMENTUM builds around James Hird’s stunning comeback, Essendon interim coach Dean Solomon insists he is committed to the role and has yet to say whether he wants the job full-time.
Solomon, who was previously Andrew Welsh’s preferred choice to succeed Bombers chairman, has his hopes of winning the job fading after six straight defeats – most recently a 90-point loss to Brisbane last Sunday.
Hird said he was ready to go to Essendon and met with club officials to talk about a coaching return, 11 years after he left during the supplements saga.
If Solomon does not remain as senior coach, the 2000 Essendon premiership player has already said he will remain at the club next year.
It is possible that Solomon could still serve as his former captain’s assistant if Hurd wins the job.
“I haven’t spoken to Hirdi in a couple of weeks,” Solomon said Wednesday.
“He has expressed his interest in this work and is part of the process, but other than that I have not spoken to Hirdi.”
Solomon is hoping to get a “pat on the back” from Welsh and Bombers chief executive Tim Roberts about his plans for the future.
But Solomon is unwilling to say whether he will go through the formal process to become a permanent coach.
“I just didn’t have time to think about it,” Solomon said.
“This role is fulfilling, especially in the current situation we find ourselves in.
“I spend 23 hours a day trying to figure out how we can get this club back to being truly competitive in the short term.
“I know it may be hard to believe, but honestly, that’s what my head is thinking about, and it’s literally consuming all of you in this role.”
Essendon have won just once in their last 30 matches, one of the lowest totals in the former powerhouse’s history.
The Bombers are set to collect their first wooden spoon since 2016, the year the club was forced to use extra players due to the dietary supplements saga.
In a reboot for the club, Essendon held a light training session at their spiritual home of Windy Hill on Wednesday.
The players were joined by the club’s AFLW team, which continues to play some of its matches at the historic site rather than its current headquarters in Tullamarine.
It comes days after young striker Nate Caddy signed a contract extension until the end of 2031 in a huge show of faith in the struggling club.
“We know we’re wading through a swamp and it’s tough, but there’s only one way out of this and he wants to be part of the solution,” Solomon said of Caddy.
“This club will turn around. There won’t be any sugar rush. There is no short term solution. There is no magic wand.”
“We just have to make the right decisions, get the right people in the right places and roll up our sleeves together… he wants to be a part of it.”
Nate Caddy celebrates scoring during the match between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG in matchday seven of 2026. Photo: AFL Photos
Solomon backed Ben Mackay, the former key defender and forward, who recorded just two possessions in the club’s VFL clash on Sunday.
“The last conversation I had with him at the end of last week was to get him to think … whether he prefers forward or backward,” Solomon said.
“Initially (moving forward) freed him up, he had 13 disposals in four games at AFL level.
“We felt he could improve his game without the ball in his hand and he went to the VFL to work on that.”
“He’ll keep working and he’ll be fine.”
Ben Mackay scores during the match between Essendon and Carlton at the MCG in Round 13, 2026. Photo: AFL Photos
Essendon will face resurgent Greater Western Sydney, who are bidding for a place in the grand finals, in a tough assignment at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.