Brad Scott Is Gone. These 5 Bombers Benefit Most.
Brad Scott was sacked today. Five Essendon players — led by Elijah Tsatas — are about to get a second chance under a new coach. Here's who to trade in before lockout.
Brad Scott Is Gone. These 5 Bombers Benefit Most.
Brad Scott was sacked this morning after Essendon's 1-10 start. For SuperCoach, the biggest question isn't who replaces him — it's which Bomber finally gets unleashed.
James Hird is the frontrunner to take over, and the vibe shift at Tullamarine is going to be immediate. Scott's conservative game style and short leash on young players was a recurring pain point for SC coaches. The players he froze out, dropped for no reason, or played out of position are now the most interesting trade targets on your board.
Here are five Bombers who benefit most.
1. Elijah Tsatas — The Obvious One
Pick 5 in 2022. His first three games in 2026: 82, then 101, then 61 with 60% TOG. Scott had him on a sub's role one week and benched the next. No verdicts from R8-11 at all — he wasn't in the team.
Tsatas was producing elite cash cow numbers (R5 BUY, R6 BUY) and then Scott buried him. He averages 25+ disposals when given full midfield minutes. Under a new coach — especially an offensive-minded one like Hird — he walks straight back in with a proper role.
At $272k he's a screaming value play if you held him through the rough patch. And if you don't own him, the post-Scott discount window is open right now.
2. Archie Perkins — The VFL Exile
Scott dropped Perkins for four weeks. When he finally came back (R9: 76, R10: 65), the community read was exactly what you'd expect: "Perkins was clearly in the VFL doghouse; his recall was injury-enforced."
The talent hasn't disappeared. Three goals in R9, 65 in a team that was blown off the park in R10. Perkins is a forward who can push into the midfield — exactly the type who thrives under a new regime.
At $273k, he's cheap enough to be a luxury trade-in or a speculative hold if you already own him. If the new coach rotates him through the midfield at all, that $273k becomes laughable by R16.
3. Sam Durham — The Quiet Star
This one is less obvious but might be the biggest winner. Durham is averaging 101, with back-to-back 100+ in R8-R9. At $389k he's already a value play. But here's the thing: Scott's game plan was dragging the team down.
Durham is a contested ball winner who's been playing at a premium level despite the chaos around him. If a new coach brings any offensive structure at all, Durham's ceiling goes up. He's been a top-8 mid on raw output in a bottom-4 team. What happens when the team isn't bottom-4 anymore?
4. Jye Caldwell — The Injury Comeback
Caldwell returned from injury with 92 in R10 — a WATCH verdict that said "inconsistent under Scott." He was drafted to be the inside bull Essendon has lacked for years. Under Scott he never found consistency.
A new coach, especially one with a clean slate, could finally give Caldwell the role stability he needs. At $421k with a breakeven well below average, he's a mid-price play that could pay off massively — or stay an SC tease. The difference-maker is who takes over.
5. Archie May — The Deep Sleeper
65 in R9 earned May a BUY verdict. Then 28 in a blowout in R10. That's the Scott-era Essendon in microcosm: talented, inconsistent, no structure.
At $249k and FWD-eligible, May is a DPP bench option who could turn into something real under a coach who builds around his strengths. Watchlist for now. If the new coach gives him a defined role, pounce.
Check Archie May's verdict history →
The Bottom Line
Scott's Essendon was bad for SC coaches holding Bombers. The sacking is a re-rate event for the entire list.
- Tsatas — buy immediately if you have a trade
- Perkins — speculative add for the brave
- Durham — hold and enjoy the uplift
- Caldwell — watchlist, depends on who coaches
- May — deep watchlist
The next two weeks (Essendon have a bye in R12, then another in R13) give the new coach time to settle in. By R14, we'll know which of these bets paid off.
Got a Bomber on your roster? Chat through your trade plan with the coach →
Updated: May 26, 2026. Brad Scott sacked by Essendon after Round 11. Data sourced from RookieBible intel registry.
Thursday night rookie intel. Free.
Team announcements, late outs, and the definitive rookie reliability update every Thursday night before lockout.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Related articles
Bye Round 12 Trade Guide: Bombers Chaos & Smart Targets to Buy Now
Brad Scott's sacking has reshaped the Essendon trade landscape AND we're entering bye rounds. Here's how to trade through both without burning your bank.
Read article →Murdock Scored 38 When Tagged by Daicos. The 32% Trading Him Out Are Missing Something.
Murdock scored 38 when tagged by Daicos in Round 10. The 32% trading him out are missing his FWD DPP gain — here is the hold case.
Read article →McKay Was Scoring 73 in Round 1. The Registry Called Sell in Round 6. The 25% Still Holding Are Too Late.
The community split 65/25 on trading McKay after his Round 9 drop. The registry has been calling sell since Round 6. Here's the data trail that settles it.
Read article →