Hayden Skipworth.Credit:Sebsatian Costanzo
Skipworth,36,is likely to replace Tarkyn Lockyer,who is leaving the Holden Centre to replace Luke Power as head of the AFL academy. Brisbane Lions champion Power joined Carlton's coaching staff earlier this year.
Skipworth's decision leaves the Dons down a key assistant coach late in the piece. Skipworth had been responsible for the Essendon midfield in 2019 but had been poised to return to the forward division,an area he had previously overseen.
The Bombers have however gained highly-rated Richmond assistant Blake Caracella,and top VAFA coach Cam Roberts,who also has experience at AFL NT.
South Australian Roberts,who played 11 games for Geelong in the late 90s,had been coach of Uni Blacks until this year,leading the club to premiership glory in Premier A division in 2014.
Skipworth's departure comes almost two months after the coaching handover between Ben Rutten and John Worsfold was announced.
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Essendon sources toldThe Ageon Monday that Skipworth had a strong relationship with Joe Daniher,the key forward who will return to the Bombers for training in the coming weeks after being denied a trade to Sydney last month.