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Josh Mahoney will play a key role in helping Essendon land an AFLW licence after becoming the Bombers' general manager of football.

Josh Mahoney has ended his 13-year association with the Melbourne Demons in order to join Essendon as its new general manager of football.

The Bombers had been on the lookout for a new GM after sacking Dan Richardson in October.

Richardson was the first casualty of the club's review following their insipid 2020 season.

Mahoney, who played 97 AFL games across stints with Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide, became Melbourne's forward line coach under Dean Bailey in 2007.

He landed the football manager position following the 2011 season before being promoted to general manager of football operations two years later.

He held that position from September 2013 until the end of the 2020 season.

Mahoney, who won a premiership with Port Adelaide in 2004 and also played for Essendon's VFL side, will start with the Bombers next week.

"Having lived in Essendon and being a Bombers supporter growing up, to captaining the VFL side and now returning to the club, there's also a nice romance and I'm thrilled to now be heading up the football program," Mahoney said.

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell said Mahoney's arrival was a significant appointment.

"With over seven years of experience in the general manager of football role, Josh brings the expertise we desire to drive our football program forward," Campbell said.

"He has philosophies that align with (senior coach) Ben Rutten's leadership, so we are confident Josh will build a strong rapport with Ben and provide important guidance and support across the football program more broadly.

"Josh also has experience establishing and leading Melbourne's AFLW program, so he will also assume full responsibility for both our male and female programs as we work towards securing an AFLW licence by 2022."