Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell says the Bombers will be big players in the upcoming Free Agency and Trade Period, and has outlined the positions in which they'll target.
After years of leaning towards youth and the development of young players, Campbell says the Bombers will now look to add some pace and class to their midfield group.
“For us, probably for the first time in a while we’ve managed our cap to a point where we can be active in the off-season, be it free agents or be it trade, and that is something we want to look at,” said Campbell told SEN radio on Saturday afternoon.
“There’s no doubt we want to add more class to our midfield and add some more pace to our midfield.”
One of the hottest properties this off-season will be GWS midfielder Josh Kelly, who certainly fits the requirement that Campbell is after.
Kelly is out of contract at season's end, and while the Giants are keen to retain the young star, reports are suggesting he is still a chance to return home to Victoria.
The Bombers will face some stiff competition for Kelly's services should he leave, with St Kilda, Carlton and North Melbourne all still in the hunt for the 22-year-old.
“I wouldn’t say we’re a destination club absolutely just yet (but) it’s certainly starting to shift that way, which is nice,” Campbell added.
“We’ve got an amazing facility out there at Tullamarine. It’s a 30 million dollar facility and we have got an almost 20 million dollar expansion planned for that facility out there which will keep us at the top echelon of facilities in the league.
“I think we play an attractive style of football. Big clubs, big audiences, big games and that is a point of difference to other clubs, so I do feel like we are positioning ourselves to be attractive to free agents and in the trade market.”
