THE OVERHAUL of Essendon's fitness department has continued with the resignation of strength scientist Suki Hobson and the reshuffling of several other positions.
Hobson worked with former high performance manager Dean Robinson at Geelong and crossed to the Bombers with him at the end of 2011.
Robinson resigned in late July after being stood down by the club in February following the start of the AFL and ASADA investigation into the Bombers' supplements program.
Hobson was contracted until the end of October but handed in her resignation two weeks ago, before telling the players on Wednesday of her decision to leave the club.
She will remain with the Bombers until the end of her contract and will oversee the transition of the department, which will include former rehabilitation manager and forwards fitness coach Jarrod Wade taking on Hobson's responsibilities.
After 14 years in the industry, it is believed Hobson has resigned for personal reasons and will return to her native United Kingdom in the coming months.
The Bombers announced on Tuesday that Justin Crow would take on the role vacated by Robinson on a full-time basis for the next two years, after filling it on in an interim basis from February.
It is also believed Paul Turk – the former conditioning coach in charge of the midfielders – will now move to a role working with the "smalls" on the list.
Jesse Campisi will be the development fitness manager while Des O'Sullivan will move into a sports scientist role.
It is yet to be determined who will look after the "talls" on the list.
The Bombers have advertised for a rehabilitation coordinator, whose role will be specified to look after the injured players and will possess the qualifications of a degree in physiotherapy as well as one in exercise science or the equivalent.
Other changes at the Bombers as a result of the fallout from this year's off-field saga include tightened measures on the use of supplements throughout the club.
All supplements must now be approved by the club doctors and the board, must undergo a batch analysis and must be made in Australia.
Dr Brendan De Morton is presiding over the club's medical practices, while his fellow club doctor Bruce Reid – who had the charges laid against him by the AFL dropped last week – has a break until January.
The Essendon players expressed their disappointment with Hobson's resignation on Twitter on Tuesday.
Kyle Hardingham said; " Going to miss @sukihobson best weights coach I have ever had. Great enthusiasm and great person to have around the club #willmissyou.
Which prompted a reply from half-forward Nick O'Brien.
"Spot on hards, how much proportion of those quads is she responsible for?" O'Brien tweeted.
Tom Bellchambers, Alex Browne and Cale Hooker also emphasised their disappointed, with Bellchambers crediting the experienced strength coach to the reason he hadn't missed a game through injury in the past two years.
Hobson was nominated for the Football Woman of the Year Award in 2012 and has been working in the sports fitness industry since 1999.
Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan
