Essendon’s interim Senior Coach Matthew Egan says the Bombers list is in good shape despite finishing the season with six wins.
The Dons entered 2015 fresh from a finals appearance, but after a promising start, the side’s performances dropped off.
“I’m really positive with the list,” Egan told SEN this morning.
“There is no doubt going in to this season we thought we were going to be in the finals and we topped up with some experience.”
The loss of key players to injury including Jobe Watson, Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Travis Colyer and David Myers tested the club’s depth throughout the season.
“That really affected us and it also changed the dynamic of the year because second half of the year we played a lot of young players,” Egan said.
“The last three games in particular I think you saw some really good talent coming through our list.”
Given a reasonable run with injury in 2016 from the senior core and with a couple of acquisitions, Egan is confident the team can rebound.
“We’ve got a good nucleus,” he said.
“But then you’ve got Zach Merrett, Joe Daniher, Orazio Fantasia, Travis Colyer even Marty Gleeson – who played every game.
“How (Jayden) Laverde and (Kyle) Langford finished off the year I thought was sensational.
“I think we need some hard running midfielders … someone that can really run and spread and work both ways.
“We’ve missed the speed of Travis Colyer so another player that can break the lines and generate some scores.”