The Bombers are in the final stages of what the coaching department believe was a near perfect pre-season with very few injuries and plenty of improvement.
 
Now it's time for the real stuff to begin and, in this week's poll, we ask do you think we will beat Geelong next Friday night?
 
The reigning Premiers will be strong again in 2010 but can the improving Bombers topple them and get the season off to the best possible start?
 
 
Last poll we asked 'Is Jobe Watson now an elite midfielder?' and 53.3% said 'yes', 9.6% picked 'no' and just over 37% of fans voted 'this season will decide'.
 
Here is what some of the fans had to say:
 
Greg Sloan from Somerville VIC says: Has to be considered as an elite midfielder after last year. He will probably take it to the next level in 2010 and then there will be no question marks over his ability.

Shane Martin from Portland Vic says: Jobe is elite around stoppages and his hands are elite. Kicking not elite. Finds the ball with big numbers in the stats area. Essendon very lucky to have a person of his quality as a footballer and as a person. Perfect choice for captain.

Andrew P from Niddrie says: The team is still not able to shut down oppositions when they have a run on. One of the main reason for this that our team lacks the real physical strength when its needed. We need to get playerts like Scott Gumbleton, Jason Laycock, and Jay Neagle get on the park and playing football, its not that hard or is it?

Adam Matthews from Karragullen, WA, Australia says: Jobe Watson is my favourite player but let's all calm down here, Elite no, Extremely Good Player yes, Champion, Superstar, Elite, people throw around these terms far to easily...Lets just let Jobe play Football, he already has the pressure of the Captaincy on his shoulders...Time will tell what sort of player he becomes, no need to Label him now,...GO DONS!

 
 
James Brown from Berwick, Vic says: I think so. His kicking has improved a lot. He is good at the stoppages, and racks up plenty of the ball. Spells elite to me. He's captain now as well, which shows his leadership qualities too. The elite players are the first players picked every week, you'd think Jobe is one of those players at Essendon.

Noel from SA says: Jobe is a fine player but his kicking lets him down.He is more defensive than attacking and lacks foot speed.An elite mid field player should hammer home some goals from time to time and electrify his team...I don't think he does this.

Brett Juka from Newman WA says: Last year proved Jobe has what it takes, but its taken 6 years (drafted 2003) and a lot of opportunities other players did not recieve as they were not the son of an Essendon legend. Jobe's kicking has always been questionable and its up to him this year to lead the way, this will determine whether Jobe makes it into the elite bracket in 2010 or not. One great year does not automatically put you in the elite bracket, nor does it make an Essendon Captain, but when you look at it, who else was there? So go get 'em SOT, we need ya to stand up even bigger this year.

Michael from Melbourne says: He is nearly there. He is currently on the cusp. Hand skills are there but his foot skills aren't. Give him game time, unwrap the cotton wool and this will lead to the foot skills improving. To be elite he needs to convert the goal chances he gtes. Good Luck Jobe.

Duncan from Richmond says: There's no doubt without Jobe we would be considerably less of a side, but in order for him to be able to lay claim to being a truly elite midfielder he's going to have to make a significant improvement on his delivery by foot and pressured decision making. Another glaring aspect of his game that sets him apart from the likes of Ablett & Co. is pace - but with so much speed around him I think the team covers that well enough.

Shane from Nth Qld says: I believe he would be a walk up start in any sides midfield which puts him in the Elite category for sure! Simply one of the best hard ball gets in the comp and I'm very proud to not only have him in our side but to be captaining the almighty Bombers to what I believe will be Back-to-Back Premiers 12/13! Cheers.

Brett martin from Victoria says: I'm sorry but there is no way Watson is an elite midfielder and all those people that said yes are just loyal supporters kidding themselves. He is just a good hard ball getter and thats where it ends, sorry.

Jimbo from Viv says: When he can get the ball and run away from a pack or player and kick a goal then maybe.

Gail Poynter from Bacchus Marsh says: Over the past two seasons Jobe has become a lot more than an in and under player. His kicking has improved greatly and his ability to read the play and be first to the ball has put him among the elite.

Kieran from Kew says: He needs to improve his kicking, but apart from that you couldn't ask for more. Hopefully this year he can smash the opposition in close and then pick out our explosive runners like Winderlich, Dempsey, Atkinson and Jetta.

Jake M from Vic says: Jobe has come a long way from when he started his career. There are still aspects of his game that he lacks skill in, but is working on those every season. This season, I believe will be the year that shows us that he is worthy of being in the midfield and to be our captain. High expectations when your a captain Jobe! Carn the Dons!

Nick from Mount Waverley says: THe man is a true leader and superstar. Another good season will just confirm that.

Paul from queanbeyan says: Jobe, Like his dad before him is all heart. If the rest of the team tried as hard as Jobe, we'd have a couple more flags in the cupboard.. Shame I never get so see games live.. :(

Joanne from taylors lakes says: Elite should only apply to the top 3-4 in the AFL so for Jobe it is no at the moment. Now J Hird was a true elite so if anyone can get close to his class (impossible) then they have made it.

022935 from Tasmania says: Jobe is a great player, highly rated, and the heart and soul of the midfield - would be lost without him. But he's not ""elite"" as Judd was, or Bartel still is in that he consisently wins games off his own boot week in, week out.

Rob Coulson from Riddells Creek says: The added pressure of being captain will tell the story.

Ciaran Broderick from Craigieburn, Victoria says: I think that Essendon supporters know that Jobe is a brillant midfielder, but I don't know what other teams, the media and other football fans, rate him in the whole competition.