David King says Essendon should be seeking to improve their general training standards ahead of the new season.
North Melbourne great King said it was a “concern” Joe Daniher’s seemingly slower-than-expected recovery from a groin injury could have stemmed from him not being fully dedicated to his rehabilitation program.
“Training standards are going to be (something Essendon should be honest with themselves about),” he said on SEN Summer Breakfast.
“I think when you hear like we did from Brendon Goddard who spoke about Joe Daniher’s application to his rehab program not being what it should have been – for that to be able to happen around the core players at Essendon is a concern.
“It’s a concern for Joe individually but for that to be part of what’s accepted at Essendon would raise alarm bells.”
On the back of Richmond’s recent premiership success – which has seen Damien Hardwick’s team-first mentality pay dividends - King urged Essendon to adopt a similar mentality as they search for more consistency in 2020.
“There’s small areas of advantage across the competition now, most teams are playing pretty similarly, and they’ve got pretty similar playing stocks.
“The unity of group has to come to the forefront; Richmond have led that and Collingwood the same.
“I think Essendon will be challenging each other to come closer as a unit and for winning to become the focus, not necessarily individual form.”