David Rath has informed Essendon he will depart at the conclusion of the 2026 AFL season to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Rath began with the Bombers as their Coaching Innovation and Game Strategy Manager ahead of the 2024 campaign after more than two decades within the elite sport industry with Hawthorn, St Kilda, the Australian Institute of Sport and the Wallabies.

He spent three seasons with the Dons, working through several aspects of the Club’s football strategy including player biomechanics, game analysis and skill acquisition. 

The Club thanks Rath for his contributions and wishes him all the best for the future.