Newly-appointed Essendon coach Brad Scott has flagged the Bombers may look to add experience to their list through the trade and free agency windows.
On the same day free agency opened, Scott was unveiled as Essendon's 34th senior coach in their history, having been appointed after ongoing discussions with the club in recent weeks.
Scott takes the reins from Ben Rutten following a disappointing 2022 campaign that saw the Victorian powerhouse amass just the seven wins to form a final standing of 15th on the ladder.
His appointment will allow the Bombers' list management team to present their strategy to a senior coach, having already worked tirelessly in the months leading up to the off-season, with a large portion of that period without a man at the helm.
But Scott won't be looking to shake up a system that has been in place for the course of this year as Essendon look to improve their list for 2023.
"Ultimately the the experts will do their job and that space," Scott told media in his first press conference as senior coach.
"The bell doesn't ring for trade period and clubs start talking to each other, that work has been going on in the background for a long time.
"As I always do I'll play a supporting role but not a leading one.
"Every Club's got deficiencies on their list. I come in with a really open mind.
"I can do all the work and analysis on the players and the list that you like, but until you're actually in the building and you're on the track and you're getting to know players and working with them, then you can truly form an informed opinion.
"So no preconceived ideas on that."
Essendon will enter next season with one of the more inexperienced lists in the league, having been among the four youngest sides in 2022 before seeing several senior names depart to retirement.
The outgoing names of Michael Hurley, Devon Smith, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Tom Cutler will open options for the Bombers to fill list spots with required assets.
One area Scott has identified as a key focus for their list planning is the lacking levels of experience, with Essendon having just the sole 200+ gamer on their squad in captain Dyson Heppell.
"I think there's there's potentially an opportunity to look at some experience to assist," Scott said. "The only fact that you can draw from the list is their age and their experience in terms of games played.
"All that says to me is that there are opportunities everywhere and we'll explore every opportunity to get the best out of our players and our ist, whether that'sย bringing in some experience or not.
"But as I said repeatedly, I didn't come in with preconceived ideas that we need to do this, that and the other thing. I've got a lot of work to do to get to know the players, but also sit down with the experts in terms of draft trade, free agency strategy and that work has already largely been done.
"So my role will be to support that. I'll be involved in it, but I won't be coming in trying to override anything that's already been done."
Essendon are seen to be in the race for Gold Coast's Jack Bowes, who is contracted for next season and can be attained along with Pick 7 as the Suns look to shed the utility's salary.
Suns forward Josh Corbett and Melbourne livewire Toby Bedford have also been tied with the Bombers this year.
The 2022 Trade Period will open on Monday, October 3, running until Wednesday, October 12.
