There was an upbeat energy at Windy Hill this morning as the players enjoyed their first touch of the footy since returning to the club on Monday.
Matthew Knights was impressed with the enthusiasm of the group which included David Hille, who he said is progressing well from a knee injury, and new recruit Mark Williams.

“They were great. They were very enthusiastic today and generated a lot of energy.

“This young group just wants to learn, they want to be a part of the big games and they want to keep trying to improve this club.

“We have sort of got half way up but it is a long way to the top and we have some work to do but I think they are up for it.”

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Adam McPhee - who is still in contract negotiations - has not trained with the group this week and will not return until a new deal is finalised.

Knights said while the two-year deal offered to the 27-year-old was yet to be agreed to, he remains hopeful that McPhee will remain at the club.

“Adam is keen to have three years but the club is steadfast on offering him a two-year contract and it is a very solid one at that.

“We will just have to wait and see what evolves over the next few hours and there will be a decision one way or the other today.

“He is a senior body, an experienced player and has played at the highest level for a number of years.“We would certainly prefer Adam to stay but if he doesn’t then it presents another opportunity for a younger player. Ideally we would rather him here but Adam has to really want to be at the Essendon Football Club and be on board with where we are going.”

To watch the Knights media conference click here.
To see pictures from today's first skills session click here.
Knights said while the leadership group is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks, an announcement on which player will lead the Bombers next season would be made closer to Christmas.

“To be appointed as the captain of the Essendon Football Club – particularly when you have the likes of Matthew Lloyd, James Hird, Terry Daniher, and the like – is not a decision you take lightly. We really want to go through a thorough process .

“I mentioned to the players on Monday that even though there has been a lot of speculation about who it may be – such as Jobe being the front runner – we haven’t even touched the surface on the process of the captaincy.

“From my perspective, the process starts now and whoever gets it will be well deserving of it.”
Knights said the playing group has completed two days of testing and named David Myers and Michael Quinn as two players who impressed early.
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