FORMER Bendigo Pioneer Kobe Mutch is looking for a new football home after being one of five players to be delisted by Essendon.
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Mutch, along with Shaun McKernan, Mitch Hibberd, Josh Begley and Noah Gown, were all informed on Sunday their contracts would not be renewed beyond 2020.
The news broke before the Bombers' Crichton Medal best and fairest count, which was won by rising star Jordan Ridley.
Mutch's career with the Bombers ends after an injury-interrupted four seasons and five games, but only one this season in round 12 against St Kilda.
He made his debut in round six of the 2018 season in a 36-point loss to Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Mutch, originally from Gol Gol in New South Wales, was drafted by Essendon from the Bendigo Pioneers with selection 42 in the 2016 AFL Draft.
He was the second of four Pioneers chosen in the national draft, behind Joe Atley (Port Adelaide) and in front of Kayle Kirby (Collingwood) and Fergus Greene (Western Bulldogs).
Back in Bendigo earlier this year for Essendon's AFL pre-season community camp, Mutch spoke of his ambitions to put a frustrating run of injuries behind him in 2020.
"It has been a bit of a bumpy road... I haven't played as much senior footy as I would have liked to by now, but hopefully, this is a year that can be a breakout and I can find my spot in the team," he told the Bendigo Advertiser.
"Two years ago I had concussion problems and then last year it was my hamstring and a fractured patella... I only played two-and-a-half games last year, but I've been able to get through the pre-season unscathed so far and haven't missed a session and, hopefully, I get a crack in the practice matches."
On the club's website, Essendon general manager of football Dan Richardson thanked all five players for their services to the club.
"This time of year is always difficult but decisions need to be made in the best interests of the football club moving forward, and as a result we were unable to offer Shaun, Mitch, Kobe, Josh and Noah contracts for the 2021 season," Richardson said.
"We thank all five players for their contributions to the Essendon Football Club during their time with us and wish them the very best for their future endeavours."
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