The game style that delivered John Worsfold so much success at West Coast won’t necessarily be the one he implements at Essendon.

The Eagles were renowned for their ability to win the contested ball.

Along with Sydney, they also topped the league for clearances.

West Coast’s ability to win the stoppages meant coaching staff didn’t want to allow the opposition to have a spare defender, because when the Eagles inevitably cleared the ball from a ball up or throw in, they wanted to be kicking to an even contest.

Sydney played a similar way and the one on one styles used by both teams led to many tight contests.

“We played that way because we had an unbelievably dominant midfield and that allowed us to say we’re more confident than any other team that we’re going to win stoppages and go forward,” Worsfold told 6PR.

“We weren’t prepared to let the opposition have the advantage where we were going to kick the ball – that’s why they wanted to free up a man. 

“Whether we think we’ve got the same dominant midfield at Essendon, I don’t know.”

The Eagles midfield boasted multiple Brownlow medal winners and All Australians.

Essendon’s midfield was decimated by injury in 2015, but the return of some key players will strengthen that area of the ground this season.

Worsfold said it’s the personnel that determines how the team plays and he’ll adjust the game plan based on the strengths of their group.

“It’s a pretty talented midfield and adding Matthew Leuenberger in there, I’m really confident we could do well in the midfield,” he said.

“But whether it’s at the level of (Ben) Cousins, (Chris) Judd, (Daniel) Kerr – with (Dean) Cox hitting it down to them, we’ll weigh that up as we go.

“The talent within your group and the strengths of your playing list dictate what strategies you’re going to use.”