In today’s AFL Briefing, your wrap of footy news:

Essendon premiership defender Dean Solomon has switched from the boardroom to Brad Scott’s coaching staff

Power great Chad Cornes says there is one Victorian club in pole position to snare Zak Butters after the 2026 season

Former Essendon hard man Dean Solomon has switched from the boardroom to Brad Scott’s coaching staff, a move that appears to have earned the approval of disgruntled Dons captain Zach Merrett.

The Bombers announced on Thursday night that Solomon, who has previously served as an interim senior coach of Gold Coast, had stepped down from the board led by his former teammate Andrew Welsh to become an assistant coach in charge of the team’s defence.

Dean Solomon (right) during his playing days. Credit: Vince Caligiuri

See Full Page