Building an AFL list capable of winning a Grand Final can be a time consuming process. We are talking years. Unlike most clubs, Essendon has for the most part remained extremely competitive while this process has been quietly going on in the background. Young players getting bigger, stronger, fitter and understanding the game more intimately.

It is a game of patience for all but are we about to reap the rewards for this waiting game? Are Essendon fans about to see the next generation take hold? The jury might be still out at this stage suffice to say the signs are very, very good.

Youngsters such as Jason Laycock, Brent Stanton, Andrew Lovett and Kepler Bradley are making their mark at senior level. Just as important has been the form of the Bendigo Bombers – they are flying having lost just one of their first seven games and being labelled as the team to beat in the VFL competition.

""We took these young blokes to the MCG about 18 months ago and we took the 2000 Premiership Cup with us,"" Essendon assistant coach Dean Wallis recalled. ""James Hird spoke to the group and basically said that the next success at the club would be their responsibility.""

""Four or five of those blokes have taken a real step forward. These are the players that in the next five-to-eight years need to be the replacements for the likes of James Hird and Dustin Fletcher – these blokes won’t be around forever.""

Wallis said the form of the Bendigo Bombers had been most encouraging.

""Winning at any level is very important. It really helps build that self-belief and a winning culture around the place. If you are getting beaten week in, week out you can lose that. Matthew Knights has them playing a very positive brand of football and I think that filters through when they get into the seniors – they are playing with real confidence.""

""And we have a couple of others who I think can make a difference for us in the second half of the year. If commitment, professionalism, hard work and sheer dedication count for anything, I think we will see Angus Monfries and Henry Slattery at some stage this season. They have given themselves every chance and as they say, the harder you work the luckier you get.""

And Courtney Johns might be another to get his chance shortly. In his first game back in almost two years he moved well and hit packs hard. He didn’t get a lot of the ball but the coaching staff were happy to see him get through the game as was the man himself.

""Everywhere is sore except my hip,"" he said with a beaming smile this afternoon. ""It is great to just get that game out of the way. I don’t feel any pressure in terms of performance. There was more pressure just to play again given the faith the club has shown in me.""