One of the biggest questions surrounding the Essendon team was answered today with Matthew Knights confirming emerging star Michael Hurley will play forward this season.
The 19-year-old - who will miss the first part of the season through a club imposed suspension - was drafted as a key defender but Knights said he will join players like Scott Gumbleton and Jay Neagle in attack.
""Hurley, who we are looking at from Round 4 onwards, is a budding young forward in our eyes,"" Knights said today.
""He showed (last year) he can play key defence but my view moving forward is that he is probably going to be a forward type player.
""Gumbleton virtually played the full game last weekend against Richmond in Morwell and came out of the game strong and, all going well in the next week and a half, he will definitely play Round 1 against Geelong which is fantastic.
""Neagle is probably on the border-line of selection. He had a groin injury at the start of pre-season but he's had eight weeks of continuity now and showed some good signs against Richmond.
""To have those three guys coming through is fantastic.""
Knights said he expects the team to be more competitive over four quarters rather than in bursts in 2010 and that the fitness staff will keep ramping up the training program over the next two years.
He said upgrading mature-age rookie Ben Howlett to the senior list this week was one of the great pleasures of being a coach.
""Ben's a medium sized midfielder with solid skills and the defensive part of his game is strong and this is a good reward,"" he said.
""He has come from a fair way back to get this opportunity .. he is a really strong chance for Round 1 against Geelong.""
Knights said with the season rushing up he was excited by what the team could deliver.
""The expectations are high at Essendon Football Club. We certainly have changed things a fair bit and have been a club in transition for the past few seasons but now it's time to really push forward,"" he said.
""It is a tough competition and there are a lot of other clubs that are going to improve but I must admit you have to keep expectations at your own club high.""
The coach also revealed that the playing group does not want to be known as a 'young' team anymore and that he believes the pre-season goes for too long.
""It's only a personal view but the players of today come back in good shape from their eight week break and they are pretty much straight into game based training. They are better prepared and to train for three months without playing a game is a touch too long,"" he said.
""I wouldn't want to extend the season by four or six weeks but a couple of weeks would be the way to go. Training is good and enjoyable but the reality is we all just love to play and the players just want to play.""
