Essendon recruit James Gwilt is planning to take on an important leadership role as he prepares to line up in the red and black for the first time in 2015.

With over 126 games experience across ten seasons at St Kilda, the 28-year-old is excited by the new challenges he faces of lining up in the red and black.

Gwilt said his previous Grand Final experience would be something he could use to help guide the young Essendon outfit.

“I have that added experience of playing in a Grand Final, it was the hardest game of my life,” Gwilt said at last month’s Annual General Meeting.

“Along with Coons I think I can give a bit back to the younger boys, I have been around a bit now so I am looking to take on a bit of leadership.”

“I am really looking forward to pulling on the jumper for the Dons.”

Gwilt joined the Bombers as an unrestricted free agent in search of a fresh environment to continue his football career.

The versatile defender has performed well on the training track so far in pre-season training with the move reinvigorating his love for the game.

“Half way through the year my wife and I were talking about it a fair bit and we thought it would be the best thing for me (to move),” Gwilt said.

“I am loving my football again, coming down to the club the boys have been awesome and it is obviously a massive club so I am loving it at the moment." 

Gwilt will join the rest of his teammates in returning to the training track to resume pre-season training on Wednesday morning.