Essendon senior assistant coach MarkThompson believes new recruit Brendon Goddard’s leadership ability will be oneof the biggest assets the 27-year-old will bring to the Bombers.
Goddard agreed to a four-year deal withEssendon on Monday afternoon after St. Kilda could not match the Bombers offerunder the new free agency process.
Thompson said Goddard was an exciting addition to Essendon's team.
“He is a quality player, he plays to win,he uses the ball well, is a good size, is very flexible and we probably haven’tgot enough of those players,” Thompson said.
“I think he will slip straight into theleadership group and has experience of playing big time finals football.
“He has been playing a style of footy thatcan win finals, he has been part of it so just his general leadership aroundthe club will be great.”
Thompson said Essendon was hoping thelatest coup for the Bombers would improve the club’s reputation as hard to dealwith during the player exchange period
“I think in the future we are going to geta lot more respect out there in the market place,” he said on AFL 360.
“You want to be respected for doing goodand fair business.”
Essendon coach James Hird and chiefexecutive Ian Robson will front a media conference on Tuesday afternoon withmore details of the club’s new signing.
