The next generation of leaders of the Essendon Football Club is hard at work learning the skills necessary to impact change at the Club.

Meeting on a fortnightly basis, the Club’s ‘Emerging Leaders’ group are learning the importance of leadership when it comes to team dynamics.

The group is typically made up of players in their fourth to sixth years that are on the fringe of being elevated to the senior leadership group with its primary focus surrounding the on field aspects of their football lives.

“The senior leadership group, while their primary focus is leading the game of footy, also have extracurricular items that they have to attend to,” said team Psychologist and Emerging Leaders Facilitator, Jonah Oliver.

“With the emerging leaders, we want them to purely focus on providing support to the senior group when it comes to the game.

“They are essentially the next layer of leaders, waiting to be elevated.”

In his second year of running the program, team Psychologist Jonah Oliver believes that the program helps those involved gain the confidence that they need to be vocal around the Club and have their voice be heard on important matters.

Michael Hibberd, Michael Hurley, Ben Howlett, Tom Bellchambers and Heath Hocking are just a few of the players that are part of the program.

Young forward Joe Daniher became the youngest Bomber to join the group after coaches were impressed by his attitude and efforts around the Club.

Notable alumni include the 2015 Crichton Medalist Cale Hooker, who was elevated into the senior leadership group at the beginning of this year.

“The goal is very much to help those players develop and hopefully get them into the senior leadership group one day,” said Oliver

“It’s very much about developing them and giving them a voice in the club as well as helping them understand that they have a responsibility to contribute to the culture of the club.”

Heath Hocking has also been an important member, with his former experience as part of the senior leadership group beneficial to the other members.

“Hocking was an exceptional contributor this year,” said Oliver

“The way that he invested in his teammates throughout the year, even though he was dealing with his own injuries, was a credit to his character and leadership.”  

A shared focus on leadership has been one of the defining points of the Club’s progression over the last few years, with captain Jobe Watson highlighting the importance of everyone shouldering responsibility.

“You want to create an environment where (leadership) is not just left to one person, there are multiple people that can step in and do the job,” said Watson at the Crichton Medal

“That’s the sign of a good leadership group.”

Oliver believes that many players have shown significant development this year and will be pressing to be elevated into the senior leadership group for 2016.

“Players like Michael Hibberd and Michael Hurley have both shown great development over the last few years,” said Oliver

"When Hibbo or Hurls were drafted, they probably weren't seen initially as leadership material, but they have matured and are really seeing the value of investing in their teammates. 

“They’ve really understood the importance of their actions on and off the field in helping their teammates.

“Other players look up to them and that’s something that they’ve begun to understand and take on board.”