There is always a sense of excitement around a football club and that was the case more than ever at Windy Hill this morning. This is a vastly different group of players to that which arrived for pre-season 2002. There are faces missing – they will be replaced at this Sunday’s National Draft. This is a group that many of the so-called experts want to write off – and we are still just short of 20 weeks away from Round One. Today is step one in proving them wrong.
And Essendon still has the playing list capable of proving people wrong. There are the established stars that will form the backbone of the side but it is the young and new talent supplementing these players that is creating the excitement. Questions will be asked of them in the next 10 months that will shape the destiny of this side in 2003.
Can Adam McPhee establish himself as a senior footballer on the half back-line or perhaps on a wing? Can Damian Cupido give the Bombers that small option in front of goal that has been missing in recent seasons? Can Shane Harvey do the same job or will he develop into a quality midfielder? Will Jobe Watson play senior football in his first season – he wouldn’t be the first young Watson to debut at a young age. Can David Hille hold down first ruck? Can Aaron Henneman provide the necessary back up? And what of the draft selections?
There are plenty of questions to be answered this season and plenty to be excited about. There is an excellent mix of youthful exuberance and hardened experience among this group. It has been a successful combination in the past. Just what will unfold in 2003?
