Emerging midfielder Andrew McGrath says Essendon’s coaching succession plan has kicked off with a promising start.
Current senior coach John Worsfold will make way for assistant Ben Rutten at the end of the 2020 season, with the duo set to share a number of key responsibilities this year.
While the players have had to adjust to a number of changes this pre-season, McGrath praised both leaders and said the squad’s overall response has been positive.
“At the moment, all of the players have been really positive to it,” McGrath said on SEN on Tuesday.
“It’s been a little bit of a change, but the club was very transparent about the whole process and explained to us exactly what was going on.
“For us, we just have two amazing sounding boards; John’s got a wealth of knowledge and Ben’s an up-and-coming coach that’s going to make a big impact on our group.”
McGrath said there has been no confusion receiving messages from the pair, with both coaches communicating strongly together to ensure a unified approach ahead of the fast-approaching season.
“To have both of those guys work in tandem this year is going to be something pretty important for us and at the moment they’re just working really well together and are really clear on the messaging, so it’s been really good for us.
“They work pretty closely together. Ben has really focused on our team defence at the moment.
“Everything is pretty much in tandem. They bounce ideas off each other and the suggestion to the group is not made until they both consult and it’s a joint decision in the end.”
McGrath is entering his fourth season this year having spent the majority of his AFL career sweeping across the backline with stints in the midfield and forward line.
Each season has seen the exciting young leader gain further opportunities on the ball, culminating in an outstanding performance through the midfield in the side’s disappointing elimination final loss to West Coast last year where he gathered 30 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal.
While he is hopeful of stepping up his midfield responsibilities again in 2020, he remains dedicated to playing any role necessary to help his team.
“I’ve been training with the mids in the last couple of pre-seasons, so I’m hoping it comes to fruition pretty soon.
“As a versatile player, you come into the side and know that if there’s a role to be played – whether that’s down back, forward or in the midfield – I’m happy to take that as I think I’m pretty capable in most areas of the ground.
“I think I’m training up to be a midfielder this year, but if we have injuries or losses down back I might spend a bit of time down there too, which doesn’t faze me too much.”
Asked to highlight some standout teammates from the pre-season to date, McGrath singled out fellow fourth-year Don Dylan Clarke and new draftee Harry Jones as the players to watch going forward.
“Dylan Clarke is looking really good, he played a few games last year and really showed what he can do,” he said.
“I hope he has a more significant role this year and he’s training the house down at the moment.
“Young Harry Jones, who was drafted over the break in the pre-season, is looking really promising. I’m not sure whether it will be this year, but he looks like a player for the future.”
The Bombers are currently on an intensive pre-season camp in Coffs Harbour and will return home on Thursday as they continue to ramp up their preparations for the Marsh Community Series.
