Brad Scott has targeted improvement across the board in his first season at the helm as well as opting to build his own brand and a versatile game plan.

"I've been impressed with the capability on our list but the reality is, and the facts are, that they're very young and they're going to take time to develop," Scott told reporters on Wednesday.

"Therefore, the team is going to take a bit of time to get right.

"But we're just really focused on each day making sure that we're progressing and so far, so good in terms of pre-season.

"Everything that we're coaching and drilling we're seeing transfer through in training.

"That's the pleasing part but in terms of (finals) projections, we don't get too involved in that. We're just trying to be the best we can right now."

Scott is also in no rush to select a captain - it could take until the end of February for Essendon to settle on the make-up of next year's leadership group.

"(Heppell) is in fantastic physical shape and he's battled injury the last couple of years, but his start to pre-season has been exceptional," Scott said.

"To me, as a coach, to have your captain and most senior player come back and set the example like that has just been fantastic.

"Zach Merrett, Andy McGrath and the others have fallen in as well and set a great example."

Scott admitted there was some "trepidation" about returning to coaching but has settled in well at Tullamarine.

"I really feel very comfortable back in the routine and that's probably easy to say in December," Scott said.

"There's still the cut and thrust of win-loss and the week-to-week cycle (of a season to come) but I've been pleasantly surprised about just how good I feel about it."