Dylan Shiel is not expecting any radical changes under new Essendon coach Brad Scott.
While incoming coaches tend to make significant alterations, Shiel is confident that Scott will keep it simple with the current personnel he has inherited while making minor tweaks to the game plan.
The Bombers midfielder outlined that Andrew McGrath, who finished last season in defence, is training with the backline, but other than that, all others are being preferred in their strongest positions.
“Brad’s keen to have each player play in their preferred position, where they play their best footy,” Shiel said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“McGrath’s spending a bit of time with defence. He finished off the season playing behind the ball anyway.
“Andy has the ability to do both that in defence and midfield, so he’s a versatile player. I’m excited for his season, he’s training well, he’s running really well, it’s exciting for him.
“We’re trying to improve all parts of our game. Brad has got a really good grasp on what the modern game looks like.
“There’s been a few tweaks with how we’re trying to defend and how we’re trying to attack.”
Shiel insists that while some changes are less than major, there is lots of work being put into all areas of the ground as the Dons look to recover swiftly in 2023 under Ben Rutten’s replacement after a tough 2022.
Asked how much the team doing is structurally this pre-season, Shiel replied: “Plenty.
“It’s probably more so than most clubs having a new coach come in and wanting to make a few shifts with almost all parts of our game. The way that we defend, the way that we attack, what we look like as a stoppage group as well.
“It’s been great. A lot of new learnings, a lot of focus on improving all parts of our game. We’ve been a little bit off for a few years, so I’m excited in what’s happening.”
Having finished 15th with seven wins in 2022, the only way is up for the Dons as Shiel dreams of a return to finals footy.
“I’d love to be back playing finals,” Shiel said further.
“I had a bit of a taste of it at my last club (GWS) and I just really want my teammates to experience that. I just think they deserve it as well.
“My teammates and the club deserve to feel and achieve that one day in their careers.”
Essendon’s 2023 season proper kicks off against Hawthorn at the MCG on March 19.