Essendon Coach John Worsfold will lead one of the most experienced senior coaching groups in the AFL when he takes charge of the side in round one next year.

Guy McKenna was appointed Line Coach yesterday.

He'll work alongside fellow Line Coaches Mark Harvey and Hayden Skipworth.

While Mark Neeld takes on the new role of Game Performance Manager.

Between them, the five man coaching panel have been a part of 10 AFL/VFL premierships, played in 811 senior VFL/AFL games and been Senior Coach in 502 AFL games.

“They all bring great skills,” Worsfold said.

“The number one thing is to have them very clear about how they’re playing their own roles. 

“Having spoken to the coaches that are already here, they’re well and truly engaged in the way I want it to work.

“The whole Essendon footy club want to move forward and challenge themselves for this new era.”

Worsfold expects McKenna to bring “great experience and passion” to the role.

The pair were teammates in West Coast’s first two premierships.

“I’ve played my whole career alongside ‘Bluey’ but we’ve gone different paths the last 12 or 13 years,” Worsfold said. 

“He’s got great experience and passion for the game. 

“I think he’ll bring that real high energy to the group straight away.”

McKenna led the Gold Coast Suns through the club’s first four seasons in the AFL.

He has also worked as an Assistant Coach at West Coast and Collingwood.