Essendon great Tim Watson has hit back at his former club for escalating Leigh Matthews' pointed comments about the Bombers' coaching search to the AFL, saying a side staring down the wooden spoon has "much bigger things to worry about" than reporting a respected football figure for speaking his mind.

The Bombers' off-field turmoil deepened on Tuesday when the club confirmed forwards coach Cam Roberts will depart at the end of the 2026 season — the latest in a string of staff exits that has thrown the club into disarray during one of its most difficult seasons on record.

Matthews' Comments Ignite a Firestorm

The controversy began on the weekend when Matthews — a four-time premiership coach and Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend — said on radio that he would have "no confidence" coaching the Bombers under their current administration, going so far as to say: "If I was a coach, I wouldn't be going to Essendon."

The Bombers were privately furious. By Sunday, chief executive Tim Roberts had sent a transcript of Matthews' comments to the AFL. Club president Andrew Welsh also contacted Brisbane Lions chairman Andrew Wellington — Matthews sits on the Lions' board as a club director — seeking an explanation for the remarks.

The AFL has since confirmed it will not take action against Matthews, describing the matter as a club-based issue.

Watson Calls Out the 'Dobbing' Response

Watson, speaking on radio on Tuesday, was unambiguous in his defence of Matthews and his criticism of the club's response. The former Bombers captain described Matthews as someone who is deliberate and credible in his commentary — not someone chasing headlines.

"He's not somebody that goes out there looking for clickbait, he's not a hot-taker," Watson said. "There's enough evidence around to suggest that what he's saying [is] not completely untrue, either."

Watson said he would not have escalated the situation in the way the Bombers did, and questioned whether the club's reaction revealed a deeper insecurity.

"They're staring down the wooden spoon, they haven't got a coach," Watson said. "I would have thought you've got much bigger things to worry about than dobbing someone in about what they've said."

He added that the club's best path forward was to let results do the talking — something the Bombers are currently in no position to do. "At the moment, their scorecard looks miserable," he said.

A Bombers spokesman said on Tuesday the club had dealt with the Matthews matter on Saturday afternoon.

The Growing Coaching Exodus at Windy Hill

Roberts' departure adds another name to an increasingly long list of staff heading for the exit. He joined Essendon in 2020 as a development coach and spent seven seasons at the club before announcing his decision to move on.

"When I first arrived, I simply wanted to contribute and help people improve," Roberts said. "To have had the chance to work alongside such committed players, coaches and staff over the past seven seasons has been a privilege."

CEO Tim Roberts thanked the outgoing forwards coach, acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with the club's current coaching vacancy. "We appreciate that prior to appointing a senior coach there is always a level of uncertainty at AFL clubs," he said.

Roberts joins senior coach Brad Scott, assistant Ben Jacobs, head of psychology Ben Robbins, and football department general manager Dan McPherson among those leaving the club. Jacobs and Robbins departed in May in solidarity with Scott, while McPherson's exit was confirmed just days ago.

What Comes Next for the Bombers

With the club anchored to the bottom of the ladder and its search for a new senior coach ongoing, Essendon faces a defining period. The Matthews episode has cast an uncomfortable spotlight on the club's culture and decision-making at the highest levels — precisely the kind of attention a rebuilding club can ill afford.

As Watson made clear, results remain the only currency that matters in football — and right now, the Bombers are running on empty.