Off the back of a summer campaign that has seen the club’s playing list train smarter, Essendon captain Jobe Watson has acknowledged that he’s seen vast improvements across the entire playing group.

“The longer you play, the more you realise what the expectations are and the levels that are required and I think we were conscious of not wanting to go in too hard in the January-February period, at a time you probably would have,” Watson said.

“I think the amount of work that we’ve done, the amount of planning that’s gone in from the fitness staff and the level that we’ve taken it to and then the way that the players have trained and the work that a lot of players have got, has meant that guys are heading into a season in the best shape that they’ve ever been.”

A dwindling injury list has also boosted the Bombers’ hopes with just Tate Pears, Nick Kommer and Heath Hocking ruled ahead of the season opener now less than three weeks away.

Watson admitted that it was something of a luxury to have so many players available prior to Round 1, with the increased numbers on the training track creating a positive atmosphere around the club. 

“The fitness staff said prior to the NAB Challenge starting that some of our guys have been training for 20 weeks,” he said.

“So it’s exciting to have so many guys at training and a medical room that’s pretty light on.

“In the last few weeks the guys have ramped up the competitive side of training and I feel as if we will be in really good shape come Round 1.”

Essendon play their final NAB Challenge match against Melbourne on Friday before the countdown will begin until Round 1 against the Swans in Sydney on April 4.

The beloved skipper confessed the team is chomping at the bit to get back to get back out on the park.

“I just think the players have trained exceptionally well, we’ve worked hard, and we’ve stayed together as a group,” Watson said.

“I feel as though the level that we’ve played at, and with the quality that’s now in the team, we’re just looking forward to going out and playing as a team and showing what we can do.”