West Coast have suffered a significant off-field blow early in the club’s off-season, with high performance manager Mat Inness poached by Essendon.

Having made an important impact in helping reduce the number of injuries at the Eagles over the past two seasons, Inness will now join the Bombers as they overhaul their high performance department in the wake of an injury-riddled year.

The former WA and Victorian cricketer said a return to Melbourne for family reasons was the driving force behind his Eagles exit.

“To leave West Coast was such a tough decision to make as I’ve really enjoyed my time here over the past two seasons,” said Inness, who spent more than a decade with the Western Bulldogs before making the move west.

“The decision is based purely around being back with my family in

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