With the loss of 22-year-old rookie Josh Jenkins to Adelaide in trade week, Essendon has only three ruckmen – David Hille, Patrick Ryder and Tom Bellchambers – on its list.

The Bombers will take three live picks to the draft, and despite having previously suggested the club would be in the market for a midfielder with its first pick (selection 19 overall), Hird said a fourth ruckman was high on the priority list.

""We'll certainly look at that,"" Hird said on Monday at Victoria Park, where Essendon will be training intermittently over the pre-season.

""Whether that's early in the draft or late in the draft, time will tell. We would like to have a fourth ruckman.""

Hird said the 30-year-old Hille had been ""looking exceptional"" on the training track, but that the demands of modern football required four ruckmen on every list.

""I think you need at least four guys who can play in the ruck depending on injuries and it being such an important position. We'll be out there having a look at that position.""