It's no secret that the Bombers have been abysmal this season.

They've been consistently underwhelming for the best part of 15 years, and it's hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.

With John Worsfold all but out the door, it's up to assistant coach Ben Rutten to clean up the mess left behind.

So how will the ex-Crow steady the ship? Here are five things that Ben Rutten has to do to begin the long rebuild.

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5. Be active in the trade period (again)

The Bombers will need to make some big calls come trade period this year.

With some players getting into their twilight years or not performing to standard, it's time for the Bombers to be ruthless.

Back in August, ex-St. Kilda star Leigh Montagna on Fox Footy's First Crack said that the Bombers do have some value to trade with.

โ€œTo be honest, if they want to be brutal and try and rebuild it and really look towards 2021 and 2022, I think guys like Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Devon Smith are the two.โ€

โ€œMcDonald-Tipungwuti and Devon Smith are 27 years of age. Theyโ€™re pressure players, half-forwards, goal-a-game type of players โ€“ maybe theyโ€™ve got some currency."

Essendon are notably in the race for Richmond premiership player Jack Graham, who has been in superb form lately.

GWS youngster Jye Caldwell is also on the Bombers radar as Leon Cameron looks to free up salary cap space by pushing some players out.

If the Bombers add these two to their camp, then it would be ample base for the Bombers to build towards something and give them some identity.

If Joe Daniher were to walk, then some star-power would be needed to replace him.

Tom Hawkins would be the obvious choice, whilst Jeremy Cameron or Ben Brown could also do a stellar job for the club.

Whatever the circumstances, the Bombers would benefit greatly from shopping around come October.

 

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