The Bombers need Matthew Leuenberger fit
Essendon secured the former Brisbane Lion as a free agent last year in a bid to boost its ruck stocks and help up forward. He was tracking well before Christmas but an Achilles problem kept him out of training for two months of the pre-season. With Tom Bellchambers suspended and Shaun McKernan better suited to a role up forward, the Bombers will need Leuenberger up and going this year to break even in the midfield.

John Worsfold has one of football's toughest tasks
Nobody at Essendon predicted the club would lose 12 players to doping bans at the start of this year, especially Worsfold, who only took on the reins months ago. It has left him facing one of the game's greatest challenges: keeping the Bombers competitive without many of their stars. The NAB Challenge showed how tough an ask that will be with a team full of youngsters and top-ups, but Worsfold is approaching the season in the right manner.

There will be some good things to come out of 2016 for the Bombers
Despite the likelihood of a lowly finish this season, Essendon's pre-season showed there will be some positive things to emerge. The absence of key players means more responsibility will be placed on the likes of second-year pair Kyle Langford and Jayden Laverde, while last year's crop of draftees, including impressive midfielder Darcy Parish, should get opportunities. The blocks for the club's next premiership might be built this year in trying circumstances.