Essendon Coach John Worsfold says this season won’t be a ‘gap’ year for the Club. 

The Bombers will be missing some of their best players throughout the 2016 campaign but Worsfold said the remaining players drive at training suggests there is much to gain from the season. 

“The attitude is outstanding,” he told SEN. 

“After the really strong disappointment of the decision that we had handed down and the feeling that the year was just going to slide by and be a wasted year for their careers – they’re now really clear that they can make something of this year. 

“They can learn a lot about the game, they can learn from some of the experienced players that have come from great clubs. 

“They can train hard and improve themselves as footballers as well throughout the year and become a really tight knit group.” 

Worsfold concedes the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision was a shock to those working within the Club. 

But the focus quickly shifted back to the task of establishing Essendon’s next premiership side. 

“The decision we got really rocked the place, rocked it to its core,” Worsfold said.

“Everyone has bounced back now, ready to say ‘let’s make the best of it, let’s not wallow in self pity but focus on how we can get the Club back to where we want it to be as a really respected Club in the competition and one of the successful clubs in the competition’.

“That’s where our absolute focus is right now.  There are a lot things we’re going to have to do well to make that happen but that’s our key focus.”

A few days out from the Bombers opening NAB Challenge fixture, the Club is approaching the 50,000-member mark.

“The supporters have been great,” Worsfold said.

“I’ve got no doubt they’ve been really disappointed and rocked as well. 

“A lot of them have stood really solid and said ‘we’re going to come through this, we haven’t been happy but we want to support the Club and see it become that great Club again’. 

“There are a few that are querying whether they want to be involved, but hopefully what the players will show them this year is that they’re going to absolutely give it everything for the jumper.”