Essendon will use the likely departures of Adam Saad and Joe Daniher as an opportunity to "rejuvenate" its list ahead of the 2021 season, general manager of football Dan Richardson says.

Richardson said the upcoming free agency, trade and draft periods would be important in adding top-end talent to the club's emerging squad. 

“This is now an opportunity to rejuvenate our list,” Richardson told 3AW on Wednesday.

“We have got a core group of players, from Andy McGrath, Jordan Ridley who won our best and fairest, Kyle Langford, Darcy Parish, Sam Draper as an emerging ruckman, players like Devon Smith, Jake Stringer and Dylan Shiel who came to the club from other clubs recently.

“Ben (Rutten) as a new coach needs players who are fully committed to his vision and the way he wants us to play and I think there will be an opportunity through this trade period based on what has happened to bring in some players who will be committed to that vision."

Richardson admitted it was a disappointing year for the club, with players, coaches and staff committed and determined to improve in 2021.

“What I do know is things can turn and change very quickly. We are not happy with the year we have had, and we have a very clear view of the areas we need to improve as a footy club," he said.

“From Dyson Heppell the captain, we didn’t see anywhere near as much of Dyson as we would have liked to this year, as well as a couple of other experienced players."

Richardson said the club was ready to turn the page on a new chapter next year.

"There is a real feeling around the club of genuine optimism," he said.

"It is a fresh start, we have a new coach, a new President, 'Sheeds' (Kevin Sheedy) has come on the Board, we have had a lot of new football staff come on board in the last 18 months, and we are really confident that we can move forward really quickly.”