ESSENDON has informed its AFLW coach Natalie Wood that it will not be renewing her contract beyond this season.

Wood was informed by the Bombers this week that the 2026 season would be her last at the club, with players then told immediately after Sunday's defeat to Hawthorn.

HAWKS V BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats

Wood wanted to coach Sunday's game, and will also take charge of next week's season-ending fixture against Collingwood, before departing her role.

It comes after the side's disappointing 1-10 season to date, which will finish with next week's game against the Pies.

Essendon will now become the third AFLW side to be assessing the landscape for a new full-time senior coach heading into 2027, alongside St Kilda and new expansion club Tasmania.

Wood was the Bombers' inaugural AFLW coach when the club entered the competition in 2022 and guided the side to finals campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

More to come …