Jarrod Atkinson
He didn't feature until late in the season, but then showed plenty of dash off half-back. Atkinson's tail-end efforts may have saved his place on the list, with his exceptional speed more important to the Bombers with the imminent departure of Andrew Lovett.

Tom Bellchambers
The big ruckman is a work in progress. He emphasised his potential in the first clash with Hawthorn when he rucked well and took a strong contested mark for a crucial goal. He was overlooked for Essendon's elimination final loss to Adelaide when he was the only available ruckman on the list, but the Bombers will remain patient.

Darcy Daniher
He was thrown to the wolves against Carlton early in the season when he spent the entire match on Brendan Fevola and soon lost his place in the senior side. Daniher played mainly forward for the woeful Bendigo Bombers after that, and offers the flexibility of lining up in defence or attack.

Alwyn Davey
He struggled for form and impact after a knee reconstruction in 2008. Davey was still a standout in the defensive aspects of forward play, but rarely won big disposal numbers and didn't kick many goals. He needs to stand up as a small forward, a position in which the Bombers are severely lacking.

Courtenay Dempsey
He was one of the success stories of 2009. Chronic hamstring injuries had cruelled his career since his debut in 2006, but he managed 19 matches this season despite some recurring soft-tissue injuries. Dempsey showed speed and class from half-back, and in Lovett's absence may be pushed into more of a central role in the future.

Ricky Dyson
He repaid coach Matthew Knights' faith with a breakout season. He won a lot more contested ball than in previous years, and often used his cultured left foot to great advantage. For evidence, see his classy efforts in the Anzac Day match and the Bombers' second win over Hawthorn.

Dustin Fletcher
At 34, he's still the lynchpin of the defence and is destined to head into his 18th season. He recovered from a broken leg in his 300th match to come back well later in the season. Fletcher has lost little pace, and his Inspector Gadget arms don't get any shorter.

Scott Gumbleton
Essendon will be desperate to get the No.2 pick from the 2006 NAB AFL Draft on the track in 2010 after another season ruined by injury. The Bombers remain optimistic about the tall forward's prospects, but after just five matches in three seasons, the clock is ticking. They will want some return next season.

David Hille
He was lost for the season after damaging his knee in the Anzac Day match against Collingwood. Hille will have the benefit of a full pre-season, and is likely to share ruck duties with Patrick Ryder in 2010, possibly pushing forward more often to provide a strong marking target. If he can regain his 2008 form, when he won Essendon's best and fairest, Hille will prove a massive bonus.

Heath Hocking
It was a solid 2009 from the unprepossessing midfielder, who managed 19 games after only four matches previously in two seasons at senior level. Hocking is brave and works hard, but needs to polish his disposal skills and decision-making.

Cale Hooker
The West Australian performed admirably as a pinch-hitting ruckman after Hille when down. Undersized and without great natural spring, he battled hard in the ruck and in defence, where he looks likely to reside in the long term. Given a chance to settle in the backline, he looks capable of being a consistent contributor.

Bachar Houli
Injuries restricted Houli to just 11 games in 2009. He wins the ball well, but needs to improve his disposal, especially by hand. Half-back looks to be a role he is comfortable with, perhaps pushing into the midfield. He is extremely fit and will give himself every chance to succeed.

Michael Hurley
Hurley's debut season suggested a star in the making. With his contested marking a feature, he made an impact both in defence, where he had spent most of his junior years, and in the forward line. Essendon will be faced with a pleasant dilemma in choosing where best to use his talents. It remains to be seen how he is affected by his highly-publicised off-season altercation with a cab driver.

Leroy Jetta
He was a major disappointment in 2009. In his few senior outings Jetta's skills frequently let him down, and while he has excellent speed, he rarely displays it on the field. He needs to work much harder to show he wants to succeed as an AFL player. Lovett's departure may offer him greater chances in 2010, both in attack and the midfield.

Jason Laycock
The enigmatic ruckman failed to make it onto the field in 2009 after a foot injury. He has all the necessary skills, but an apparently laconic approach to his football hasn't served him well. Now fourth in the ruck pecking order at Windy Hill, next season will be make-or-break.

Matthew Lloyd
The skipper announced his retirement after a disappointing season in which he was rarely able to settle in his favoured forward 50. He leaves AFL football after a stellar career and yet another Essendon goalkicking title, albeit with just 35 for the season. He will be almost impossible to replace in the short term.

Sam Lonergan
He trod water in 2009 after an excellent 2008 season. As tough as they come, in-and-under midfielder/forward Lonergan needs to find more of the ball. When he does get it, his disposal skills are generally excellent.

Andrew Lovett
After his best season of AFL football, Lovett and Essendon have reached a parting of the ways. Although his form tailed off late in the season, at his best Lovett broke the lines as well as anyone in the game, using his exceptional pace and evasive skills.

Nathan Lovett-Murray
A patchy season for the tough defender, who continues to be let down by on-field indiscipline. Lovett-Murray was often called upon to fill roles both forward and back, and his versatility remains his best asset.

Scott Lucas
Along with his partner in crime Lloyd, Lucas retired with 270 matches and a premiership medallion to his name. While he struggled with form and injury in 2009, he still managed 22 goals to finish third on Essendon's goalkicking tally.

Adam McPhee
As ever, McPhee was switched between half-forward and half-back depending on the team's requirements. Entering his ninth AFL season, it is still hard to tell where he is best deployed. He is always best when he acts on instinct, rather than over-thinking his football.

Mark McVeigh
A black year for the utility, who was suspended by the club for an off-field indiscretion and battled injury and poor form on the park. He was also suspended by the match review panel after the qualifying final. McVeigh's star has fallen dramatically at Windy Hill. He has promised to throw himself into a fierce pre-season regime to try to win back favour.

Angus Monfries
The medium forward finished second on the Bombers' goalkicking list, but his 2009 was patchy. Strong marking and generally good kicking for goal are his strengths; a predilection to go to ground too often is his major downfall. He can go missing in matches, but when playing well he is a tough match-up.

David Myers
As with Gumbleton, Essendon has been forced to be patient with the high draft pick. He showed little in his handful of appearances in 2009 and was hampered by injury throughout. Myers needs a big pre-season and a good run with injury to show what he is capable of.

Jay Nash
He featured in just two matches in 2009 and is clearly out of favour at Essendon. Nash is a good possession winner, but too often gives up the ball with poor disposal. He is likely to feature in trade discussions.

Jay Neagle
The big full-forward has been earmarked as Lloyd's replacement and will now have to step up. He can take a good grab and is a fine kick, but his aerobic capacity is nowhere near AFL standard. If he can build that during the off-season and find more of the ball in matches, he has potential to be a decent contributor.

Tayte Pears
He emerged as an outstanding key defender in 2009, being pitted against some of biggest names - and bodies - in the AFL and acquitting himself exceptionally well. Pears finished third in the NAB AFL Rising Star award, and will be the rock around which Essendon's defence will be built in years to come. Terrific skills and great composure are features of his game.

Brent Prismall
He made his debut for the Bombers mid-season after his move from Geelong and recovery from a knee reconstruction. Prismall showed his ability to win the ball had not been affected by his injury, and his disposal skills are elite. With a full pre-season, he looms as a key to the midfield in 2010.

Kyle Reimers
Another whose season was affected by injury, Reimers may be the potent small forward Essendon is crying out for. He is quick, can take a mark and kicks beautifully - add a bit of mongrel and he is one to watch next season. While nowhere near his level of achievement, there is a touch of Jason Akermanis about the young Bomber.

Patrick Ryder
The young star was handed a massive role when Hille succumbed to his season-ending knee injury, and he stepped up superbly. Ryder's best game was the one in which Hille went down, Anzac Day, when he won the medal for best afield. His high-energy, high-leaping style understandably wore him down as the season went on. He hurt his knee late in the year, but Ryder was a revelation.

Hayden Skipworth
A controversial pick in the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft after Essendon delisted veteran Damien Peverill, the experienced former Adelaide utility performed well in the early part of the season. Never likely to be more than a spare-parts player, he may battle for game-time in 2010.

Henry Slattery
Essendon's run-with player of choice, Slattery took on some big tasks in 2009 with mixed results. A very hard worker who is sometimes let down by his disposal, he looks set for a tough 2010 campaign.

Tyson Slattery
Expect Slattery to make his debut in 2010 after a solid first season with Bendigo. The mid-sized utility was named as an emergency on a few occasions, and is highly regarded at Windy Hill. He's likely to begin as a defender in the senior team.

Brent Stanton
A great ball-winner, Stanton is often judged harshly by Essendon fans and the football world in general. One-paced, but prepared to run all day to the point of exhaustion, he has his critics for his disposal and occasional brain-fades, but his work ethic remains pivotal to the young Bombers side.

Michael Still
One of the youngest players taken in last year's NAB AFL Draft, Still will be brought along carefully by the Bombers. A prospective key forward, he finished school in 2009. With a full pre-season, he may be in line for a senior match in 2010 with the departure of Lloyd and Lucas.

Jobe Watson
Watson continued his move into elite midfielder circles with an outstanding season. While there will always be questions about his disposal by foot and his leg speed, there's no substitute for footy smarts, and the son of club legend Tim is as clever as they come. He will never shirk an issue and will always work himself into the ground.

Andrew Welsh
He came back well from an awful leg injury late in the pre-season, although his form then tailed off. Welsh was used in run-with roles in the main, with his ability to win the ball while negating opponents a feature. Not blessed with pace, he also needs a strong fitness base to be seen at his best.

John Williams
The young Queenslander failed to make an impression in 2009 and did not see senior action after one match the season before. The high-leaping forward's place on the list must be in question.

Jason Winderlich
A fine season from the speedy midfielder, whose future looked bleak a season earlier after a debilitating back injury. He still needs to be managed carefully, but at his best is a real asset with his pace, stamina and superb delivery by foot.

David Zaharakis
His wonder goal on Anzac Day to win the match was the highlight of a very promising first season for the former Northern Knights player. Quick with good hands and excellent disposal, he looks a star of the future.

Christian Bock
The beanpole ruckman is a project player in the truest sense. At 205cm he has the height, but he needs to stack on weight after starting the season a touch over 80kg. Essendon has announced he will be contracted for another year on the rookie list.

Bryce Carroll
The lightly-framed forward played some good games for the Bendigo Bombers, but has not been contracted for 2010.

Thomas German
A hard-at-it midfielder, German has not won a contract for next season.

Kade Klemke
The defender did a pre-season with Richmond before being picked up by the Bombers when the Tigers opted for Ben Cousins in the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft. He will not be retained.

Rhys Magin
The Queenslander played four matches off the rookie list in Essendon's injury-hit 2008, but could not break into the side this season. Essendon has not offered him another contract.

Michael Quinn
The young Irishman made his senior debut only months after first picking up an Australian football, and his progress was staggering. He needs to do lots of work on his skills and his decision-making, but Essendon is excited by his potential.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.