Newly appointed Essendon Captain Brendon Goddard says he wishes his ascension to the role came under different circumstances.

The former Saint will lead the club in the absence of Jobe Watson who was suspended along with 33 of his past and present teammates by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week.

"I won't lie to you … standing in front of you today is the last place I really wanted to be – I think that's quite obvious considering the circumstances," Goddard said.

"Although I'm very honoured and grateful to now captain the footy club and this group, you obviously wish it was under different circumstances."

Goddard said he may have to alter his leadership style given the youthful flavour of the Bombers line up.

"I've said it before and gone on file as saying I know the areas I need to improve. Like all of us, we need a lot of help. I'll need a lot of help, I'll make mistakes along the way, and particularly with the demographics we do have in our group.

"So I think it's only natural that we all have to change the way we lead and try to improve in different areas."

Goddard has played 64 games for the Bombers since crossing from St Kilda at the end of 2012.

He won the best and fairest in his first season and has been one of the Club’s most consistent performers since. 

Defender Mark Baguley will be Vice-Captain, with the wider leadership group to be established in the coming weeks.