THE Bombers have placed an emphasis on developing youth and playing a fast and attractive brand of football. But does Essendon’s list have the depth and attributes to deliver more consistency?

Afl.com.au’s Gary Walsh and Jennifer Witham look at each Bomber individually and preview what’s in store for the season ahead.

SENIOR LIST
Jarrod Atkinson
Elevated from the rookie list in 2008 and managed five senior games. Creative and pacy running off half-back, the 24-year-old looks a picture of fitness after a solid pre-season. He is expected to get more senior opportunities this year. 

Tom Bellchambers
The young ruckman played every game in the pre-season and will be called upon early to fill in for the injured Jason Laycock. Has size and good ruck skills, but insiders say he needs to do more around the ground.

Darcy Daniher
The father-son acquisition played three games in his debut season last year after being hampered by a back injury. He was late to start in the pre-season but got a few games under his belt and will be expected to play more seniors this year. He may be tried in the backline, with others earmarked for forward roles.

Alwyn Davey
The tiny speedster injured his knee early last year and underwent a knee reconstruction ahead of round six. He played his first game in the Bombers' second NAB Cup match this year and appears not to have lost his pace. Davey will add critical balance to Essendon's tall forward line.

Courtenay Dempsey
After two injury-ruined years, the classy defender seems to have a strong base behind him after a solid pre-season. His blistering pace was on show early in the NAB Cup and if his body holds up, should play plenty of senior football this year.

Ricky Dyson
A make or break season. Has genuine pace and good foot skills, but has to use his assets more regularly in matches. Coach Matthew Knights remains a supporter, so expect Dyson to get the chances to prove his worth.

Dustin Fletcher
The veteran defender is in the twilight of his career, but will still be called upon to anchor Essendon's defence. His booming kicks remain a potent weapon, he seems to have lost little pace, and those Inspector Gadget arms haven't got any shorter.

Scott Gumbleton
The young gun put in an impressive display in the opening NAB Cup game but went quiet after that. He was troubled by back tightness late in the pre-season, and was ruled out of the early part of the premiership season. Essendon fans will be hoping the No.2 pick in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft can get on the park this year.

David Hille
The 2008 best and fairest had an interrupted pre-season with a hamstring injury and a run-in with a stingray, but emerged in time to play in the NAB Cup. Now one of the AFL's elite ruckmen, his running power, endurance and ability to get forward to create another marking option will be crucial in 2009.

Heath Hocking
The hard-at-it midfielder will add grunt if he can force his way into the team. An injury-cruelled 2008 means he starts behind other inside-mids such as Jobe Watson and Sam Lonergan in the pecking order.

Cale Hooker
Essendon's injury woes meant the young West Australian was promoted to the senior side before he was ready last season, but added bulk during the pre-season has given him a build more suitable to AFL football. Likely to win game time in the defensive half.

Bachar Houli
On the way back from groin surgery, missing the second half of last season. Houli has pace and courage, and is supremely fit, and will be a significant part of Knights' midfield plans in 2009 after a strong pre-season. Performed creditably in the pre-season matches.

Michael Hurley
Dustin Fletcher's long-term "replacement" was progressing well in his first pre-season when he had gall bladder surgery. He played against Collingwood in the NAB Cup semi-final and against North in the NAB Challenge. Pencilled in for round one, but may have to find his feet mixing forward line and defensive duties.

Leroy Jetta
Speedy, elusive and smart around the goals, Jetta will be asked to do more work in the midfield as part of Essendon's rotation. And he will be expected to substantially increase his possession-count.

Jason Laycock
The ruckman has had a terrible run with injuries and will miss the season's start with a lingering foot problem. He may find himself behind Bellchambers in the selectors' thinking when he returns, and will have to win back his place with some decent performances for the Bendigo Bombers.

Matthew Lloyd
Has had a terrific pre-season after taking himself off the park in December last year to give his 30-year-old body a break. The skipper set himself the goal of playing three pre-season games but ended up running out for four, and looks set for a solid year. Likely to play a roaming role in the forward line.

Sam Lonergan
The young Bomber benefitted from a strong showing in last year's NAB Cup to win 19 senior games and cement a spot in the starting 22. Skilled and possessed of enormous courage, the Tasmanian will share the in-and-under role in the midfield with Jobe Watson.

Andrew Lovett
Outstanding in the NAB Cup and NAB Challenge after being on the trade table at the end of last season. If he clicks and remains motivated, he will give the Bombers' midfield another dimension with his extraordinary pace and skills.

Nathan Lovett-Murray
Likely again to contend for a role running off half-back, although he can also provide a marking option across half-forward. Entering his sixth season, he needs to step up to claim a place in the top 22. Highly respected for his leadership role with the club's indigenous players.

Scott Lucas
Lingering knee problems affected his pre-season, but Lucas remains critical to Essendon's forward set up. Expect him to play closer to goal than in previous years as part of Knights' plan for a tall attacking six.

Adam McPhee
The Bombers have been playing him down back pre-season, with Knights determined to stick to that plan despite Travis Cloke getting the better of him in the NAB Cup semi-finals. He looks fit and will be important in the side's young back half this year.

Mark McVeigh
The experienced midfielder was flying through the pre-season when he broke a toe in late November. He returned from that to play in the Bombers' first two NAB Cup games but wrenched an ankle against the Brisbane Lions. He is still considered a chance for round one.

Angus Monfries
Stood up as a defensive forward last season after a very slow start, and that is likely to be his role again in 2009. His tenacious tackling and courage are standouts, and he may see more midfield time this season.

David Myers
Essendon's player-most-likely has had injury setbacks in the pre-season, but remains in the mix for round one. Exquisite skills, especially by foot, are likely to be employed predominantly off half-back and in the midfield.

Jay Nash
Emerged as a high possession-winner last season as a running defender. There will be plenty of competition for that role at Bomberland in 2009, so Nash will need to build on the standard he showed in his 21 games last year.

Jay Neagle
Showed promise in pre-season, and is one of the tall forward options Knights wants to see playing in 2009 as he shapes his future side. Solid, with genuine overhead skills, Neagle will need to work on his aerobic capacity to be seen as more than a goalsquare marking option.

Tayte Pears
Showed real promise as a key defender last season, but has been hampered by a hip injury during the summer. With Mal Michael's departure and Fletcher nearing the end of his career, West Australian Pears has a chance to grab a long-term spot in the back six.

Brent Prismall
The former Cat came to the club via trade week with a freshly reconstructed knee that will keep him from playing until the middle of the year. The Bombers are impressed with his work ethic and dedication, and look forward to having him available.

Kyle Reimers
Quad tendonitis ruined his pre-season, but Reimers is a lock in the top 22 when fit on the basis of his impressive 2008. Quick, skilled and with an Akermanis-like ability to ruffle opponents' feathers, he will slot in on a half-forward flank.

Patrick Ryder
The defender/ruckman started his pre-season late after shoulder surgery and received mixed reviews. Will face some tough tasks in defence, where he will be the Bombers' first-choice for the likes of Buddy Franklin, and may also be called on to pinch hit in the ruck during Laycock's absence early on.

Hayden Skipworth
The importance of the former Crow's recruitment escalated when Andrew Welsh went down with a long-term ankle injury. Despite two years out of the AFL system, Skipworth looked more than handy during the NAB Cup and NAB Challenge matches.

Henry Slattery
Likely to be fit for round one despite an ankle injury suffered in the NAB Challenge match against North Melbourne. Secured a spot in the back pocket in 2008 and will be first choice in that role at the beginning of this season.

Tyson Slattery
Showed enough in the pre-season to suggest he may be in line for a senior debut in 2009. Considered extremely good one-on-one, he shapes as a half-back flank option.

Brent Stanton
Essendon's most prolific midfielder will again be the side's key running player. Stanton improved his kicking – especially his long disposals – and tackling in 2008 and will be relied on for his exceptional endurance.

Michael Still
The youngest player taken in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, 194cm Still is a long-term key position prospect. With Essendon's plethora of tall forward options, he will work under Adrian Hickmott at the Bendigo Bombers this season.

Jobe Watson
Disposal by foot will always be a query, but none can contest Watson's ball-winning ability and work ethic. He will again be the great extractor in the Essendon midfield, using his quick and clever handball skills to release running players.

Andrew Welsh
The reliable midfielder won't play until the middle of the year after badly breaking his ankle during the Bombers' intra-club in early February. The 26-year-old tore ligaments, dislocated the ankle and broke his fibula, and has pencilled in round 12 as a tentative return date.

John Williams
Made his debut in the round 22 thrashing at the hands of St Kilda, during which he showed a penchant for high-flying. Is expected to continue his improvement, but is likely to spend most of the season with the Bendigo Bombers.

Jason Winderlich
After overcoming a back complaint that almost ended his career, the midfielder/defender played his first game since round 11 last year in the second week of the NAB Cup. He collected plenty of the ball on return and appears to have regained his touch.

David Zaharakis
Lifelong Essendon supporter and midfield prospect who will need to add bulk before he contends seriously for a full-time spot. A development year will see him honing his skills with Bendigo.

ROOKIES
Christian Bock
The lightly-framed ruckman played in an intra-club match in early February, and despite being very slight, took some impressive grabs up forward. His kicking was a little wayward but his sure hands were encouraging. Will be given time to develop.

Bryce Carroll
A long-term prospect. Good midfielder size, but the coaching staff will let him learn the trade at Bendigo while building his endurance.

Thomas German
Another midfield prospect who is expected to spend most of the year at the Bendigo Bombers. His final U18 year was cruelled by a hamstring injury, but has done well in the pre-season.

Kade Klemke
Many were surprised the All-Australian U18 defender was not picked up in the NAB AFL Draft. Did pre-season with Richmond before the Bombers claimed him late in the rookie draft. Essendon thinks the tough and aggressive 18-year-old may prove a steal.

Rhys Magin
Second-year rookie who performed creditably when elevated to the senior side late last season. Needs to bulk up, but could develop into a midfielder/half-forward in the long term.

Michael Quinn
The Irish rookie's pre-season will be best remembered for the moment he tackled Andrew Welsh in the intra-club at Whitten Oval and fractured his teammate's ankle. Appeared in the NAB Cup and showed enthusiasm and speed, but is very much a speculative rookie choice.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL.