Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel says recent re-signings are the strongest indicators yet of the players’ faith in first-year senior coach Ben Rutten.
Eight Bombers have penned contract extensions in the past few weeks, including star Zach Merrett’s six-year deal to all but cement himself as a one-club player.
Shiel said Rutten had built an environment that everyone wanted to be part of.
“He’s been an amazing appointment as head coach, and I really think that if you ask any player at Essendon, they’ll give him their full support and are fully invested in his journey,” Shiel told RSN 927 on Thursday.
“It’s a great sign with the re-signings and players coming out and throwing their support behind ‘Truck’ that everyone’s invested and really happy he’s leading the way.”
Shiel, who shares a close relationship with Rutten, said one of the 38-year-old’s greatest strengths was his ability to build trust with his players.
He said it had been Rutten’s priority since the former Richmond assistant crossed over to Essendon ahead of the 2019 season, spending two seasons as an assistant to John Worsfold before taking the reins at the end of 2020.
“We (Rutten and I) were fortunate to arrive at Essendon in the same season. We’ve been pretty close since we got to the club,” Shiel said.
“I feel like he made a real impact on the group when he first came in, getting to know everyone and understand who they are as people before players.
“It’s enabled him to have honest and deep conversations with his players, because he’s building that trust and connection with them. The players can trust him and are willing to follow him into the trenches.”
