Michael Hurley and Mark Baguley are the additions to the Essendon Leadership Group in 2016.

Hurley has been a member of the group before, but returns after an All-Australian year.

Jobe Watson will skipper the side for a seventh straight season, with Dyson Heppell named Vice-Captain.

David Myers, Cale Hooker and Brendon Goddard round out the seven-man group.

Watson said Hurley had come a long way in recent seasons.

“Hurls, myself and BJ (Brendon Goddard) sat down midway through 2014 and had a chat about where he was at with footy and leadership and the way that he’s grown in the last couple of years,” he said.

“The way that he performs on the field, the way that he performs off the field - I think all his teammates recognised how much of a leader he is now and how much he’s grown.

“It’s very exciting and it’s great reward for him because he’s put a lot of time and effort in.

“When your peers acknowledge that, it’s a great sense of achievement.”

Fellow defender Mark Baguley has also been elevated to the Leadership Group.

The former Frankston VFL player had to wait until he was 25 years old to make his AFL debut after joining Essendon in the Rookie Draft.

“His teammates saw the way that he competes, the way that he prepares himself to train and to play,” Watson said.

“His thoroughness in looking after his body and his unwillingness to compromise.

“These are some of the attributes that players are drawn to.

“Bags is an incredibly honest person, gives great feedback and I think it’s a great reward for him and the way that he’s developed.

“He came in as a bit of an older recruit, but in a short space of time, he’s been able to show that he’s grown a lot as a leader.”