The addition of some fresh talent to the playing list has Brent Stanton excited about the Bombers prospects in 2016.
The 29 year old joined the Club via the 2003 National Draft, one year after Jobe Watson was selected.
Between them, the pair have played in ten finals for just two wins.
But with some top end talent landing at the Club through this year’s National Draft, Stanton is positive about the side’s chances of climbing back up the ladder.
“I think there is an opportunity right here and right now,” he said.
“It’s pretty exciting with the mix and the age demographic that we have – we can bounce back very quickly.
“I just want to have a lot of team success and get this Club back up … to hopefully get the success for players like Jobe.”
Stanton will enter the 2016 season as one of Essendon’s most experienced players.
With 248 games to his name, he’s on the verge of a significant personal milestone, but it’s the team success he covets.
“As a player you always want to have success,” he said.
“All of the personal accolades are great to come by, but unfortunately we haven’t had team success here for a little while.
“I was pretty excited when I got drafted coming to the Essendon Football Club.
“It’s bred success previously but unfortunately we haven’t been able to provide that to our supporters.”
Stanton has been one of Essendon’s most consistent performers through one of its most trying decades.
Since making his debut in 2004, Stanton has played at least 15 games each season.
And throughout his last ten seasons, that number hasn’t dipped below 20.
“It’s trying to complete as much of the pre-season as you can and I think that sets you up for the season,” he said.
“The older you get you’ve got to manage what you should and shouldn’t do.
“You always want to do everything but it’s probably not the best thing for you.
“These days it comes down to a lot of recovery and even when you’re not here doing football stuff, you’re probably thinking about what I need to do for the next day to get up for training again.”
It’s that professional attitude that has helped Stanton produce such a consistent output over a prolonged period and it’s an attitude that will hopefully rub off on Essendon’s next wave of stars.
