Essendon ball-magnet Zach Merrett says new teammate Dylan Shiel will add important explosiveness to the club’s on-ball brigade.

Shiel had been a key pillar of Greater Western Sydney’s side since the club first entered the competition in 2012 before arriving at The Hangar in the NAB AFL Trade Period, with his speed and power defining the team’s midfield and elevating him into the top echelon of the league’s midfielders.

The clearance specialist is equally as damaging when pushing forward and Merrett says the former Giant can have a significant impact for the Bombers across the ground.

“He’s a really explosive player. His work in the centre bounces was something that we certainly highlighted when we played the Giants in previous years,” Merrett said on Monday.

“To be able to add that to our system is going to be a great deal for us and hopefully it will improve our centre-bounce work and clearance work.

“His ability to kick goals and go forward has been pretty special as well, so I’m looking forward to working with him out on the track in the pre-season.”

Merrett – who met Shiel for coffee ahead of the eventual trade – watched the coverage intently as the deal was nail-bitingly held back until the dying stages of the trade period.

The Bombers gave up two first-round picks for the skilful star and Merrett says it is crucial to capitalise on any opportunities to add elite talent to your side.

“I remember sitting on the couch at home and crossing my fingers hoping it was going to get done in time,” he said.

“When good players want to come to your club through free-agency or trade I think you have to do as best as you can to get them into the club.

“The fact that he chose us over other clubs is obviously exciting and the fact that he thinks we’ve got a group together that hopefully can push forward is really exciting for us.”

Essendon has one of the largest and most diverse midfield units in the league, and while the Merrett is yet to discuss how Shiel’s addition to the team will affect his position in the middle, he doesn’t expect significant changes.

“I haven’t really sat down with (midfield coaches) Hayden Skipworth and James Kelly individually or as a midfield group to discuss whether that impacts me directly.

“It helps to get another good midfielder in that hopefully will go into our rotation of forward, back and on the wing … it’s a great addition for our team.

“We try to be pretty evenly spread – he’s just another one of those 22 players every week – so although he’s probably a bit more talented coming in, everyone’s workload is pretty similar in this day and age.”