Essendon key forward Shaun McKernan says another strong pre-season has him primed to build on his career-best 2018 season in 2019.

McKernan played 10 consecutive games before a hamstring injury cut short his 2018 season, averaging six marks and two goals in the absence of injured forward Joe Daniher.

The 28-year-old said he saw many similarities between this pre-season and last year’s – the latter which built the foundations for his breakout season.

“I think consistency-wise and in terms of getting out on the park and playing my role for the team, last year was probably one of my best years,” McKernan told SEN.

“That was set up from a good pre-season and I feel like I’m in the same position at the moment.”

While the severity of his hamstring injury threatened to delay his start to pre-season, McKernan said it hadn’t caused any interruptions since returning to training in November. 

He said he looked forward to teaming up with a returning Daniher in 2019, believing there was room for both talls in the Bombers’ exciting forward line.

“We want Joe back and firing, playing his best footy because we know that is the best thing for the team,” he said.

“I don’t see any reason why I couldn’t be on the park at the same time with him and form a partnership with him.

“I think Joey offers something different to what I do. I think he is more mobile and has that bit of x-factor about him, whereas I’m probably more of a traditional long kick and crash-and-bash target.”

The Bombers held their annual team photo day today, with their JLT Community Series opener against Carlton just over a fortnight away.