SAM WRIGHT bowed out as Collingwood's head coach with nothing left in the tank.
Having resigned earlier in the week, despite having a year to run on a recently extended contract, Wright coached one last game in round 12, in which his Pies challenged a similarly struggling Essendon, but ultimately lost by seven points.
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"A little bit of an awkward one, but I was just really honest with the girls. I've got no energy left. I think I've given everything that I can to the club and the girls over the last three years, and yeah, the win-loss takes its toll, but what I'm really proud of is (that) I've given everything," Wright said post-match.
It's been a treacherous year for the Pies, who finish 17th on the ladder having won just once from 12 starts. Captain Ruby Schleicher announced last month that she would be seeking a trade away from the club in December's trade period, and a host of other players are yet to sign on for 2027.
Wright confirmed that he would be part of the club's review, in which external consultant Brad Lloyd will conduct interviews with all members of the program.
"I think it's really important, and they've asked me to do that as well. So, yeah, it's an awful position, though, isn't it? You've resigned, but I think what this review is about, it's not about tearing people down, it's about lifting people up and providing them with a really successful platform where they can get the structure and the systems right, not just now, but for the next five or 10 years," Wright explained.
Now, it's about focusing on his family, which includes daughter Frankie.
"I've got a little six-month-old, Frankie, the girls are holding her now so I'm a little bit worried… but I haven't been able to spend any time with her," Wright said.
"It is moments that I get to spend with my family and my little daughter that make me realise my life's changed a lot in the last 12 months and you start reassessing your priorities… you've got to look at the priorities in your life, my priority's family. The club has been really supportive, and it comes with some guilt with where the club's at, but I think the girls understand, I've given everything I have."
Essendon coach Natalie Wood also coached her last match, having been informed last week that she wasn't going to be offered a new contract. The Bombers finished the season with two wins – one of which was Sunday's clash with the Pies – with a poor run throughout the year.
The announcement of Wood parting ways with the Bombers came in the wake of their round 11 loss to Hawthorn, with club officials informing the playing group in the post-match team meeting before Wood fronted media.
"I guess off the back of Sunday, it did kind of rattle everyone in terms of, you know, little things. We were in Dingley, so everyone had to go home, didn't have the opportunity to talk. Everyone's wet, cold and tired, so I had a really wholesome day with the players on Tuesday. We were able to sit together and talk and discuss, and then I'm really thankful for the support of the other coaches," Wood said.
"I'm happy that I've coached out the year, and it was hard, it was really challenging, and trying to park some emotions, and wasn't always successful in doing that. Yeah, it's really, really taxing for me personally, but now having got to this point, I feel really fortunate to have had that opportunity with the group."
Unlike Wright, Wood will not be part of any reviews into Essendon's program across the post-season, instead preferring the club gets a fresh look.
Having held administrative and coaching roles for most of the AFLW's existence, Wood won't be lost to footy, with an eye on remaining within the industry.
"I need to stop and breathe, catch my breath, and I'm pretty exhausted. So, I need to sort of recoup, but I don't think that would be (for) long, and hopefully, even a smaller opportunity comes along. But yeah, I'll be keeping my eye out and see, because yeah, I've learned a lot in this, and I still think I've got a lot to keep learning and a lot to offer," she said.
Both sides bid goodbye to some veterans upon the conclusion of the match, with Magpie Sabrina Frederick, and Bombers Amelia Radford and Sophie Alexander having announced their retirements last month. Brooke Walker also came off in the guard of honour, having shared her retirement plans with her teammates prior to the match.
