ESSENDON has delisted three players after a disappointing 2026 campaign, with Brooke Brown, Maggie MacLachlan and Sophie Strong told they will not be offered contracts for next season.

The trio are the first list changes for the Bombers after finishing the year with a 2-10 record.

Brown departs after four seasons in red and black, having joined Essendon as the club's first priority signing period recruit.

The defender featured in Essendon's finals campaigns in 2023 and 2024, but her final two seasons were disrupted by persistent bone stress injuries.

The former North Melbourne player was unable to add a senior game in 2026 and finishes her time at Essendon with 43 AFLW appearances across her career.

MacLachlan joined the Bombers from Subiaco as a replacement player ahead of the 2025 season and made an immediate impact, playing 11 of a possible 12 games in her first year.

The 24-year-old kicked two goals on club debut against Greater Western Sydney but found senior opportunities harder to come by this season, with her final appearance for Essendon coming in round seven.

Having previously spent time at Port Adelaide and Fremantle, MacLachlan has played 26 AFLW games.

Strong, meanwhile, joined Essendon with pick No.35 in the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft.

The Tasmanian broke through for a handful of senior appearances in her first season, and returned to the side for the final three rounds this year and kicked her first AFLW goal against reigning premier North Melbourne, finishing her Bombers stint with eight games.

Essendon general manager of AFLW Aysha Ward thanked the trio for their contribution to the program.

"They have each shown a commitment to developing their game while making a valuable contribution to their teammates and the broader program," Ward said.

"It is never easy to farewell players, particularly those who have given so much to the football club. We are grateful for the professionalism, character and commitment they have shown throughout their time at Essendon."