A MATTER-of-fact Essendon coach Natalie Wood says she isn't concerned about being out of contract for now, despite the Bombers sliding to 1-8.

The Bombers had a breakthrough victory last week against fellow battler Greater Western Sydney, but crashed to a 43-point defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs, kicking 2.10.

They play North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Collingwood in their run home.

BULLDOGS v BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats

"I'm not concerned in that I know I'm out of contract, and I don't have another contract offer. Does it concern me? No. I'm coming out and doing my best each and every week, for the moment, I feel really well supported," Wood said in her post-match press conference.

"That doesn't mean that anything's guaranteed moving forward. I would expect the club does do a really good review and understand where we're at. I've given my heart and soul to this club for five years, and if I get to be the person that continues on, great, we need to keep reviewing and revamping what we're doing. 

"If I don't, and someone else comes in and gets to take these players to another level, then excellent for them and for the players. It's just a part of reality.

"I'm not worried. I'm conscious of it, and I'll keep giving it everything I've got, until the contract runs out."

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Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett confirmed co-captain Deanna Berry is fully fit and is not playing due to a selection backlog.

The Dogs currently have just one player (Brit Gutknecht) on their injury list, and Berry missed a month with a broken collarbone.

She has been fit for the past three weeks, but has been unable to break onto the emergency list in that time, let alone the best 21.

Deanna Berry runs out ahead of the round two match between the Western Bulldogs and Richmond at Mission Whitten Oval in round two, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

"We're probably one of (only) a few clubs that basically has a full list to choose from. Probably unfortunate that she got that collarbone injury, and we've just had players playing their role. We're lucky that we've got depth," Hyett said.

"She's training really well, and we're at a point where everyone forward is playing their role. It's a good thing. As a top-four side, you want to have depth, and you want to have competition for spots. That's really healthy that we have that at the moment.

"We're winning, our forward six are playing their role and we're really happy with that at the moment. She's been great. Everyone wants to be playing, whether you're the captain or not, but De's a great leader, and she knows her time will come, and that she's ready [to go]."