ESSENDON chief executive Xavier Campbell says the Bombers' season is not over despite a disastrous first two months of the year.
The Bombers are placed 15th on the ladder with just two wins after eight rounds, despite coming into the year with high hopes of another finals finish.
And on Monday they saw game performance coach Mark Neeld depart the club after a review of the coaching structure came to the conclusion his position was redundant. The former Melbourne coach's role will not be replaced.
But despite the dramas, including a loss to the previously winless Carlton last week, Campbell said he believes the team can turn around its fortunes and pointed to a range of changes at the selection table this week under coach John Worsfold.
"The season's not over and we're not looking at it one bit that the season is over," Campbell told the club's website.
"John flagged there'll be some changes and we're not afraid to make the changes necessary to ensure the improvement is made and that progress in this football club is made for our future.
"As he flagged, we'll probably see that in selection later this week. We had a really good win in our VFL team and there's some players who are really pushing hard for selection and I can't see why we're not going to be rewarding those players based on what's John's had to say.
"I think that's important and I think our fans are keen to see that."
PAYING THE PRICE: Worsfold readies his selection axe
Last week the Bombers forecast some new faces in their line-up but in the end only made two forced changes – replacing injured pair Joe Daniher (groin) and Andrew McGrath (calf) with Orazio Fantasia and Shaun McKernan.
Younger pair Jordan Ridley and Dylan Clarke, as well Matt Guelfi and Kyle Langford, are expected to come into contention for this Saturday's clash with Geelong.
Campbell said he didn't expect Neeld's immediate exit to have an impact on the team's performance, saying it is "an opportunity to readjust" after a slump that has seen the club lose its past four games.
"We're not going to sit on our hands. We want to get this football club firing to the level we think this football team is capable," he said.