In the first of a two-part series, Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw gives Engine Room members an insight into what goes on in the football department between now and when the pre-season training begins. Shaw says that in many ways it is the most important part of the season.

Those people who think coaches put their feet up and relax until the players return from their annual leave couldn't be further from the truth. For the Essendon coaching panel, the period between now and the commencement of pre-season is hectic and it lays the foundation for what will follow in 2002.

Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw said the first issue that has to be addressed following the Grand Final is the list assessment and the club's participation in trade week. ""We focus on the football requirements and also the requirements of the club. Obviously we had some salary cap considerations going into trade week this time around,"" Shaw said.

""And it is a very tough time of the year. Some clubs have five weeks to prepare for that week. Clubs in the finals will do some preliminary work but it isn't at the top of the list. It is even less of an issue if you are lucky enough to play in a Grand Final,"" Shaw said.

""We have played in the past two Grand Finals and at 9.00am the following Monday we have to sit down and assess players' futures. Whether you have won or lost that isn't an easy thing to do. And about 24 hours later trade week starts so it all happens in a hurry.

""And I can guarantee you that trade week is just as emotionally draining for coaches and football staff as it is for the players although some player managers would have you believe otherwise. We are not heartless people - we have contracts and young families as well. We are basically forced to make these very hard decisions and we know what they are going through.""

Shaw said that following trade week, each coach is required to submit an extensive report on their area of responsibility. For Shaw that document involves a review of season 2001 and forward planning for 2002.

The Essendon coaching panel also become heavily involved in preparation for the upcoming draft. ""Basically we all become a member of Adrian Dodoro's recruiting staff for four weeks. We will have about 100 tapes of young players to review before the draft. Those tapes will be rotated among the coaching staff and we will meet twice a week to discuss what we have seen,"" Shaw said. ""On the instruction of Adrian Dodoro (recruiting manager) we will also be sent out to interview some of the young players.""