The annual player ""meat market"" begins today at Optus Oval with club's recruiting and coaching staff sitting down to discuss possible trades with each other. It is a difficult period for both clubs and players but a neccessity in the world of modern-day football. And regardless of what happened in last weekend's Grand Final, the Bombers will be looking to improve their playing list this week and when the National Draft is conducted later in the year. The retirements of John Barnes and Dean Wallis have created space on the Essendon list but some hard decisions may still have to be made.

""History shows you that you are going to get a turnover of six or seven players on your list and Sheeds flagged that straight after the Grand Final,"" Essendon assistant coach Mark Harvey said. ""There is no doubt that it is an unfortunate part of football but that is where it is at right now and everyone understands that.""

Harvey said that with the retirement of John Barnes the club would certainly be looking at another ruckman. ""David Hille is a developing young player who we think will be a good player for us but we can't afford to rely on just one person. That puts enormous pressure on them so we will see what is available in the draft,"" Harvey said.

Another couple of mid-field options are also on the agenda, according to Harvey. ""Damien Peverill will come onto the list but we would still like to find a couple of others. As with everything now there will be an emphasis on speed so once again we will see what becomes available in the draft,"" Harvey said.

Salary cap restrictions will make it hard for Essendon to do any significant trade deals this week. ""A lot of clubs are in the same boat,"" Harvey said. ""We can't really afoord to trade for players who want big money. If anything we would just trade for draft picks but it all depends on what other clubs are prepared to do.""

The trade period ends on Tuesday, October 9th. The National Draft will be conducted on November 25th.