A new-look Essendon line-up commenced their four-day community camp in Ballina today with the young list confident they can convert their strong pre-season training into on-field success this year.
Despite an overhaul of players in the past couple of years, Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd has issued the competition with a warning not to underestimate the Bombers’ youth.
“This is my fourteenth preseason and over those years I have seen close to 100 players come and go,” Lloyd said.
“We have a young list this season but I am confident in their ability and hope that the guys with three or four years worth of experience can really develop and stand up this year.
“I think we are probably in a position where Geelong and Hawthorn were a few years ago where we have the opportunity to start afresh and I think it will be our time in the next couple of years.”
Confident in Essendon’s ability to play finals football this season, Lloyd expects has even suggested the Bombers could be the smokey of the competition in 2008.
“We won ten games last year and I don’t see any reason why we won’t be better off going into this season,” Lloyd said.
“If it takes 12 wins to play finals then that is what we are endeavouring to do that and I am confident that the boys will be able to get the wins on the board.
“The average punter didn’t think much of the Kangaroos last year but they were able to show that you just never know what can happen and we can learn a lesson from that.
“If you aren’t thinking that you can play finals then you are wasting your time. “
