One of the Bombers favorite sons, tough-as-nails rover Sean Denham, will return to Windy Hill in 2001. Denham will be a top up player for the Essendon VFL side during the season and will also assist Terry Daniher on the coaching side of things. Denham retired from senior football at the end of last season but the Bombers football department managed to lure him back for the VFL season.

""We are absolutely thrilled that Sean decided to return and help out the VFL side this year. His experience will be invaluable,"" football manager Matthew Drain said. ""To have a player of his calibre around to help with the development of our younger players is a huge bonus. We have a number of young on-ball players - for them to play alongside a premiership player with just under 200-games under is belt is terrific.""

For the calculating Denham the decision to return was a shrewd one. ""Pre-season is just about finished so it was the perfect time to return,"" Denham laughed. ""But seriously, I'd had a few months off and the body is feeling pretty good so I thought why not come down and help the young blokes.""

""I wanted to play again and the VFL side is as good as anywhere. The fact that I will be able to help out the coaches is another reason I decided to come back. Coaching is something I've thought about for a while and this is the right place to start.""

Denham will again wear the number 38 jumper with Michael Davis taking the vacant number 39.