Essendon talent Zach Reid has already seen immediate change in his high-performance program following the appointment of Mat Inness, who was previously at West Coast.
The Bombers faced an unprecedented amount of injuries in 2025, resulting in 15 debuts across the campaign.
Reid, despite playing the most games in any season, featured 10 times in Brad Scott's side as he endured soft-tissue problems.
The former top 10 pick has dealt with a shocking run of injuries, limiting his output to just 19 matches in five years, but he hopes the new regime under Inness will change that.
"Mat Inness has been great, and the team he's put together," Reid said.
"I feel like our off-season program has been top-notch, and I think a lot of the boys agree.
"And it's really individualised, so I think the boys are liking that, and I've enjoyed it. It's been good."
The Bombers' first-to-fourth-year players returned to the Hangar ahead of the pre-season, but captain Zach Merrett was a surprising absence.
Merrett attempted to depart the club via trade, but Hawthorn was unable to satisfy their arch rivals during the exchange period.
However, Reid ensured that the Essendon group is "galvanised" ahead of the six-time Crichton Medallist's return to Tullamarine.
"The group's galvanised. We're all good," Reid said.
"He's obviously not required yet, so that's not a big issue.
"But yeah, we'll welcome him back with open arms. He's our best player, and there's no denying that. So he's going to make us a better team."
Merrett is reportedly interstate attending a wedding, but according to Reid, he hasn't indicated when he'll be back.
"He's still got two weeks until he's officially back, so I don't know when he will come back," he said.
"But when he does, we'll support him.
"I think the group just wants to move on. You can't let that sort of stuff derail a pre-season or an off-season.
In more positive news, Nik Cox looks poised to return to football in 2026 after spending the entire year on the sidelines due to a concussion.
Cox was last seen in Round 22 in 2024, but the club confirmed that he has passed all required markers, and will not need to meet with an AFL concussion panel.
Reid revealed that the former top-10 pick spent time in the US seeking advice from UFC figures.
