Essendon coach James Hird believes the recruitment of experienced players to his side during the recent trade period will fill an important hole on the club's list. 

Adam Cooney, Jonathan Giles and James Gwilt all joined the club on Thursday during the final day of the trade period. 

Hird said the trio would form an important part of the Bombers set up moving forward. 

"We wanted to make sure we gave the current team the opportunity to get better," Hird said. 
 
"We think we have a good squad of players and we want to capitalise on that by adding some quality into the team."

"They are all over 25 but they have played some good football between them all and I think with where our squad is at they will compliment them well." 

Hird said the upcoming national draft would be an important time to add quality young players to the club's list. 

"We certainly kept some picks in reserve with pick 17 and 20 to look for our future," he said. 

"We are not looking totally at the next couple of years because we know we have to build for the future as well." 

Essendon will also upgrade Patrick Ambrose to the senior list during the national draft