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.
The backline looks set to be an area of intrigue for Essendon heading into the 2025 season, with the fitness of key players and the form of those on the fringes set to dictate how Brad Scott's last line fares.
Interceptor Jordan Ridley is arguably the most important part of the Bombers' system, with multiple setbacks last year hindering his chances of having the needed impact.
He will partner Ben McKay as an aerial threat down back, with the latter enjoying a strong first year in the red and black in 2024 as he managed an injury-free year.
The third tall position will be up for grabs however, with youngster Zach Reid hoping to have his injury woes behind him as he contends with senior stopper Jayden Laverde for a starting role.
Hard nut Mason Redman will again be the backman to play both tall and small when required while also offering plenty of attacking flair, with further run and carry to be provided by vice-captain Andrew McGrath and youngster Archie Roberts.
Roberts looks to have taken Dyson Heppell's spot in defence following the former skipper's retirement, while mid-season addition Saad El-Hawli will also press for a flank role.
Star Nic Martin might be spending more time in midfield in 2025, with that move potentially opening the door for onballer Dyal Shiel to be trialled in defence.
SSP recruit Jaxon Prior should place pressure on the back seven come selection, as will uncapped tall Lewis Hayes following his valuable year in the VFL.
Draftee Angus Clarke will be one to keep an eye given his game style could suit senior action as early as his debut season.
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.
Pressure will be on Essendon's tall forwards to perform early into the new campaign as a quartet of key position players look to price their value.
Spearhead Kyle Langford remains the key contributor in attack after claiming his second successive club goalkicking title in 2024.
The only other player to boot 20 or more goals last year was Jake Stringer, who has departed for GWS - creating a large vacancy in Brad Scott's attack.
Tall Peter Wright has struggled to replicate his 2022 form and will want to put his best foot forward quickly, with athletic forward Harrison Jones and second-year target Nate Caddy both pushing for spots.
Two of those three should be starting come Opening Round, with Caddy potentially surpassing Jones after the latter's disappointing 2024 campaign.
Archie Perkins could fill the void of Stringer, while fellow midfield options Xavier Duursma, Nic Martin, Ben Hobbs and Jade Gresham should also prominently feature in the front half, with Gresham likely spending most of his time at half-forward.
The small forward spots are also of interest, with top draft selection Isaac Kako a chance to be a mainstay from the club's season opener.
The Bombers have struggled to find an impactful goalsneak since Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, as Matt Guelfi has battled injury issues and Jye Menzie faced form struggles.
Guelfi, when fit, should be in Scott's best side, with his efforts on the defensive end a nice balance given Kako's attacking firepower.
Fringe forward Alwyn Davey will look to break back into the senior side and hold a role, with draftees Kayle Gerreyn and Archer Day-Wicks others who could earn promotions in 2025.
FB: Jordan Ridley, Ben McKay, Andrew McGrath
HB: Mason Redman, Zach Reid, Archie Roberts
C: Xavier Duursma, Darcy Parish, Nic Martin
HF: Archie Perkins, Kyle Langford, Jade Gresham
FF: Isaac Kako, Peter Wright, Nate Caddy
FO: Sam Draper, Zach Merrett, Sam Durham
I/C: Jye Caldwell, Ben Hobbs, Matt Guelfi, Nik Cox
SUB: Saad El-Hawli
Others to consider: Jayden Laverde, Jaxon Prior, Dylan Shiel, Elijah Tsatas, Todd Goldstein, Harrison Jones, Jye Menzie, Nick Bryan, Will Setterfield