Assistants Paul Corrigan and Rob Harding, the latter of whom followed Worsfold from Adelaide, will both depart in the coming weeks. Most of the other assistants are understood to be contracted for next year, as is Worsfold, who signed a two-year extension early in 2018. There is some doubt, however, about midfield performance coach Hayden Skipworth, who is believed to be out of contract.

There is a view internally that Worsfold’s mandate has slowly been whittled down since the end of 2017 when football department chief Rob Kerr left the club and was replaced by Daniel Richardson, who arrived from reigning premiers Richmond. Partly that is because Worsfold, in stark contrast to the brute of a player he was at West Coast in the 1990s, is the type of person who likes to empower those around him.

Richardson, having overseen difficult but ultimately justified changes on the Tigers’ coaching panel at the end of 2016 before being subordinated by the super-experienced Neil Balme, arrived at Essendon as something of a change agent, not unlike Simon Lethlean at St Kilda. He was responsible for the unceremonious exit of Worsfold loyalist Mark Neeld early last year, another call which in hindsight proved justified, and has since lured two highly touted assistants from Punt Road: Ben Rutten at the end of last year and Blake Caracella last week.

Loading

Rutten, whose defensive methods from Richmond were instilled into the Essendon playing group over the summer, is viewed at Tullamarine as Worsfold’s most likely internal successor, although should Worsfold be sacked there will doubtless be a groundswell of support from supporters for 2000 premiership player Caracella. The actual implementation of Rutten’s philosophies has been an interesting study too, with opinions mixed about just how much the message has varied at times during the year.

Whatever the case, the Bombers are not perceived around the league to be tactically cutting edge, especially in their defensive 50. Some of their tactics have brought other clubs into fits of laughter. A playing list still with some players touched by the supplements saga to varying degrees, also means that the Essendon’s senior core don’t necessarily trust as readily as players from other clubs.

Then there is the matter of the lingering uncertainty surrounding the long-term playing futures of Orazio Fantasia and Joe Daniher. Aaron Francis has been in and out of the side, sent from end to end, and is yet to sign for 2020. Emerging defender Mason Redman is another out of contract, with Fremantle and Melbourne both linked to the South Australian.

While there have been recent additions to the board, the hard-working and affable chief executive Xavier Campbell wields a great deal of power. He may shortly be staring down the difficult call to part ways with a man hired under his watch.

All the while, Worsfold has remained stoic internally. He has reminded players that other teams have copped heavy defeats like the Dons did last week against the Western Bulldogs and still gone on to make and win finals. And Essendon were talented and spirited enough not so long ago to win five games in a row - with a string of late comebacks. If they can summon that effort again, Worsfold may yet be spared when the board goes to the polls.