ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights says he isn't expecting too many changes to the Bombers' list for 2011 but has refused to be drawn into discussions on whether or not he would be part of the equation next year.
While Knights is still contracted for next year, the embattled coach has consistently come under fire for his side's lacklustre season.
An internal review of the year has already begun and Knights admitted he was looking forward to its outcome and said he was already looking ahead to next season.
“I’ve stated before I’m looking forward to the challenge of the off-season and the review and looking forward to taking this club next year and moving on,” Knights said on Friday.
“But the review will play its part and I’m sure Ian Robson and David Evans will play a part in that as will Paul Hamilton. That will take its course and we’ll just see what evolves.”
After Essendon’s final game against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, the focus will be turned to the up-coming trade period and NAB AFL Draft.
“I wouldn’t expect too many [list changes]. Possibly because we had eight or 10 changes in the last two or three years anyway,” Knights said.
“We don’t have to make six, seven or eight changes, we’d like to have around the four or five mark if we could, which is what the AFL stipulates in any case.”
While Knights confirmed the club’s number one priority during the draft period would be to sign a ready-made quality young midfielder, he was also adamant the club would continue to draft aggressively for new young talent.
“I think we’ll certainly be very active [during the trade period],” he said.
“But also we’ve got to continue to go back to the draft, as we have in the last three years.”
There has been speculation that out-of-contract midfielder Brent Stanton could be used as trade bait to lure a high-calibre midfielder from another club.
Essendon has been unable to secure the midfielder’s signature, but Knights said he was confident Stanton would remain at Essendon next year.
“I’m really confident that Stants will be here next year, but Paul [Hamilton] has to work with Stants and his manager to get that right,” Knights said.
“Obviously with contract negotiations there’s a lot you have to take into [account] and that’s not my area. Paul Hamilton takes care of that area. Some contracts happen really quickly and others get protracted by two, three or four months, and that’s just part of AFL footy.”
On Thursday the club announced it had re-signed key position player Scott Gumbleton for another two years, while veteran Mark McVeigh and Kyle Reimers also recommitted to the Bombers until at least the end of 2012.
