Essendon List and Recruiting Manager Adrian Dodoro says the hard work is just getting started as the Bombers try to become a premiership contender again.
The Dons boosted their list with the acquisition of Adam Saad, Devon Smith and Jake Stringer throughout the trade period.
“The environment is great, but we’re under no illusions there is a lot of hard work to be done,” Dodoro told RSN.
“We want to be playing finals and winning premierships in the years to come.
“We’ve turned the corner as a Club, there is a lot of good things happening, but there is a lot of hard work to be done now.”
Smith (24 years of age), Saad (23) and Stringer (23) join a list of ‘under 24’s’ at Essendon that includes Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Martin Gleeson, Orazio Fantasia, James Stewart, Conor McKenna, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Josh Begley and Andrew McGrath.
“The formula for success is to get guys to play together for a number of years,” Dodoro said.
“That’s what we’ve done here – all three have got a lot of years ahead of them as they come into their peak years.
“We’ve got a lot of young players … we’ve got a good foundation, we’ve added three good players and we’ve still got a couple of picks late in the draft that we’ve got to work some miracles with I suppose.”
Saad will provide an extra running option for the Dons defence while Smith and Stringer – who have proven to be capable goal kickers – are set for extended time in the midfield.
Dodoro said Stringer, who already has a premiership medal and All Australian selection in his keeping, could take his game to a new level.
“The thing that impressed us about Jake was that he was honest,” Dodoro said.
“He was upfront and he admitted that he needed to lift his game in a number of areas.
“Once we established that he understood what he had to do, then it was a really good platform to move forward.
“We think we’ve got the people and the infrastructure to really support him.
“He wants to do the work, his family are very supportive, his network of friends are very supportive.
“It was only two years ago he was an All Australian player – I don’t think Jake understands how good of a player he could be … he’s just got to really knuckle down now.
“Hopefully this whole process is a bit of a kick up the bum for him and that’s ok, he’s a young guy and with the support that we’ll give him hopefully he plays his best footy.”
