It is one of the most decorated coaching boxes in the game, boasting ten AFL premierships, but Essendon’s coaches aren’t exempt from the year of learning that is taking place under John Worsfold.

This year has brought about it’s own set of challenges for the men in charge.

It began with the introduction of a couple of fresh faces.

Most notably, that of head coach John Worsfold and Guy ‘Bluey’ McKenna joining the existing team of Mark Harvey, Mark Neeld, Matthew Egan, Hayden Skipworth and Mark and Paul Corrigan.

Worsfold brought in his own philosophies and ideas as to how the group should operate, and which roles best matched their own individual talents.

This resulted in a mini restructure of sorts as the coaches were assigned new focus areas.

For Matthew Egan, that meant shifting from his position as a defensive coach to the Head Coach of the VFL and the Head of Development. 

The move was largely driven by the potential that Egan showed in the final games of the 2015 season, which gave him a taste of what senior coaching could be like.

Working closely with the Corrigan brothers, Egan’s role in player development became even more important with a large group of draftees arriving at the Club and, just a month later, the loss of 12 of the Club's most experienced players.

Egan has also had his success with Essendon VFL taking over from Hayden Skipworth.  The side is on track for another finals campaign after making the Preliminary Final last year.

Skipworth was given the tough task of working with Essendon’s young and inexperienced forward line.

Largely centred around Joe Daniher - Orazio Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Mitch Brown and Will Hams have enjoyed time in attack and the forward group has begun to produce stronger performances in the back half of the season.

Mark Neeld’s shift from head of development to Game Performance Manager has also been one of significance.

Neeld now works closely with the team’s strength and conditioning coaches to better integrate their programs with the football program, in an attempt to find ways for the team to better run out games and perform at their optimum level.

Mark Harvey is also back at home in charge of Essendon’s backline.

A courageous and formidable defender back in his day, Harvey brings many of his football traits to the coaching box, demanding ruthless efforts from his young backmen.

Under his leadership, and in the absence of names like Hurley, Hibberd, Hooker, Baguley and now Gwilt, Harvey has unearthed the next generation of Essendon defenders.

Patrick Ambrose’s transition from a forward option to a key defender, is just one of the many success stories of this year.

Last, but not least, there is Guy McKenna.

In his first year, Bluey went from having the likes of Watson, Heppell, Hocking, Howlett and Colyer at his disposal to one of the youngest midfield groups in the competition.

Despite the challenge, it has led to the emergence of players like Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish and reignited players like Craig Bird and Brendon Goddard.

Speaking on Bomber Radio, General Manager of Football Operations Rob Kerr, spoke about the work being done by Worsfold to inspire his Coaches to push for success as well as the positive environment that he has been created.

“People often ask what it’s like to be at Essendon at the moment and they expect an answer that’s perhaps saying ‘it’s been really hard, or a battle’ that sort of thing,” Kerr said.

“The reality is, I feel as though we’re functioning better than we have in my time here. The coaches have embraced the new roles that they’ve got.

“People are being stretched, not just through circumstances but also in the way in which we’ve placed people in roles.

“Everyone has really stepped up to the plate and looked to not only develop the players, but also develop themselves.”

While the results may not be showing in terms of wins on the board, the structures implemented by Worsfold in his first year should be considered more of a ‘work in progress’.

Like the players, the coaches themselves are learning and improving each day as they strive to find what works the best for their own group.

“Most times when a new coach comes in the expectation, depending on the status of the team, can be reasonably high," Kerr said.

“This year, the expectations were fairly realistic. It was going to be tough.

“That has sort of allowed a bit of freedom in terms of the way that the coaching group and footy department work, which I think we’ll be better for in the long term.”