Essendon senior coach Ben Rutten wants the Bombers to move up the AFL ladder "as quickly as possible" ahead of his first season in the hot seat.

Rutten oversaw his first official pre-season session in the top job on Monday, casting his eye over the club’s returning first to fourth-year players, who were also joined by captain Dyson Heppell and several other experienced teammates.

The former 229-gamer with Adelaide made his intentions clear for the 2021 season, believing there was "optimism" about what the Bombers could achieve with another pre-season under their belts.

“We’re pushing to improve and get our way up the ladder as quickly as possible,” Rutten said.

“There’s some real optimism and anticipation about what we can do moving forward.

“I think we’re really driving to improve and grow as a footy club, but I know individually all the players are here to get better.

"I certainly can see the desire for hard work and strong coaching. The disciplined way of playing is certainly what I'm going to be driving."

A massive focal point of Rutten’s has been establishing and building an identifiable brand of football. 

With Rutten already alluding to a blue-collar work ethic as a key part of Essendon’s efforts of adding consistency to its game, he also believes getting players to grasp the responsibility of wearing the famous red sash will help drive improved performance 

“I think it’s important we establish who we are,” Rutten said. 

“We certainly need to improve parts of our game on-field, but we need to give the players and the coaches an understanding of who we are and who we’re representing and the responsibility that is to play for Essendon.”

A vital cog in the club’s push towards success will be reigning Crichton medallist Jordan Ridley.

The 21-year-old has become a defensive weapon and was part of a young nucleus of players who starred for the Bombers in 2020.

Ahead of his first season with the man known as ‘Truck’ at the helm, Ridley said Rutten had the backing from the playing group. 

“As a group, everyone’s pretty excited for him to be the main man now,” Ridley said. 

“There’s a lot belief in the players that he’s the right man to take us forward from here on.”