AFL season 2002 sees the welcome return of two familiar faces to Essendon in former reserves coach Kevin Morris and ruckman Paul Salmon. Whilst both men will play different roles in the forthcoming season, back in 1983 they were teammates in Essendon’s 1983 reserves premiership. Kevin was playing-coach that day whilst Paul was in the ruck. The seniors lost to Hawthorn that day but the reserves overcame a thirty-one point quarter time deficit to defeat Collingwood by twenty-nine points. ""It was a tremendous win that day. We came from six goals down at quarter time to lead at half-time and maintained the lead for the remainder of the match. I played up forward and then in the centre where Salmon was rucking. I think Salmon was awarded the medal for best player on the ground that day,"" Morris said.

Morris returned to Essendon earlier this year to take on the role as Development Coach. Morris replaces Dean Bailey who recently accepted a role as assistant coach at Port Adelaide Football Club. Morris has been busy getting acquainted and working with the players. ""It has been a very busy period since I started. It is an important time of year, especially coming in at the later stage of the pre-season. I need to catch up with everything that has been going on,"" the former Richmond and Collingwood player said. Morris is impressed so far with what he has seen at Essendon. ""The players are extremely professional in their approach and their attitude. The players are totally committed to be the best they can be and the older group are great role models for the younger players,"" Morris said.

Paul Salmon has enjoyed returning to the club he called home for the first 14-years of his AFL career. Salmon has been getting to know the new players and re-acquainting himself with former teammates. Salmon will reunite with a few old teammates including Matthew Lloyd. In 1995, Paul’s final year at Essendon, they played together four times. In 2002 the two reunite with a total of 12 club leading goalkicking years since 1984 and 968 goals between them (Lloyd 459 and Salmon 509) at Essendon. Essendon has never had two big goalkickers on the playing field together ever. ""I am looking forward to the season. I am here to fulfill my personal goals and help my teammates in the process - the aim is to win the 2002 premiership,"" the dual premiership player said. Salmon and teammate Steve Alessio - both on the veterans list - are taking on role model responsibilities with the younger players. ""We are happy to have a chat to the younger guys and give them advice if they ask for it. We have both been around for a while so if there is something we can do to make it easier for them, we are happy to do so,"" Alessio said.