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Hodge’s ringing endorsement for Bombers candidate
SEN • July 29th, 2026 9:49 am
Luke Hodge believes Murray Davis would be the perfect candidate for the Essendon coaching vacancy.
The coaching director at the Adelaide Crows is one of four names in the mix for the Bombers job alongside James Hird, Mark McVeigh and Jaymie Graham with current caretaker Dean Solomon still to decide.
Davis is a highly-rated and experienced assistant coach who previously spent 13 years with the Brisbane Lions, culminating in the 2024 premiership.
Hodge worked closely with Davis during his time at the Lions and knows exactly what he can bring to a club in need like the Dons.
“If you look out of those four people, Murray Davis fits to a tee what they actually need, in my opinion,” Hodge said on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters.
“He was at the Brisbane Lions when they had the go-home factor, when no players wanted to be at Brisbane. Sounds a lot like Essendon right now.
“He was there when Chris Fagan got there and the glass half-full, the positive mindset, the growth mindset that they tried to teach the players - Murray was front and centre for all that.
“There’s a reason why Harris Andrews is as good a leader as what he is right now, because he worked so closely with Murray Davis.
“So if you look at the players on that list that have gone through what Essendon are going through at the moment, Murray is probably the only one who matches up.
“You also look at what he’s done at Adelaide. When he got there they were 15th, and then they went to first.”
Davis also has a very strong reputation in the Northern Territory having coached the NT Thunder to a NEAFL premiership in 2011.
“Murray Davis helped start NT Thunder and coached them to a flag. He’s got an unbelievable relationship with a lot of Indigenous players,” Hodge added.
“Cal Ah Chee moved across to Adelaide. I believe a big reason was Murray Davis was there as well.
“He’s ticking all the boxes.”
