Another crucial campaign for Essendon awaits, with the proud Victorian club hoping to break back into the finals mix and hopefully end an unwanted winless drought come September.
After years of aggressive off-season planning, the Bombers had a quieter player movement period following the 2024 season as priorities were placed on draft acquisitions and the development of their incumbents.
The list at Brad Scott's disposal suggests players across every line should be in line for improved seasons in 2025, with the club home to a number of names set to reach the peak of their powers and lacking veterans past their prime.
Ahead of the new season, we've assessed Essendon's 2025 squad and selected a best 23-man side - breaking down their depth charts on all three lines of the field.
Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, only excluding players who are expected to miss most/all of the season through injury/suspension.
2. Midfielders
The Bombers aren't short on options in the engine room, with 2024 seeing a number of midfielders enjoy breakout years in the absence of senior teammates.
Jye Caldwell and Sam Durham were standouts last season in supporting captain Zach Merret through the middle of the field, with the emerging pair offering strengths on both sides of possession as their skipper continued his dominance as one of the best midfielders in the game.
Their rise came as All-Australian Darcy Parish continued to deal with injury setbacks, with the Dons gun now facing stronger competition for centre bounce duties.
Speedster Nic Martin should also get a look in the middle, while former first-round picks Ben Hobbs and Elijah Tsatas will want to earn their spots also.
Young gun Archie Perkins will look to increase his midfield workload as a balanced forward threat, having started 2024 strongly before fading out of main rotations.
Xavier Duursma should hold a wing spot, with tall utility Nik Cox and fringe runner Saad El-Hawli other contenders for wide roles.
Sam Draper should continue his role as the first-string ruckman at Tullamarine, but the club will be hoping to see Nick Bryan place pressure on the South Australian for the top job.
