ESSENDON won't finalise its 2016 captain until the playing group and coaches have given feedback on the type of leader they want and need, new coach John Worsfold says.
Jobe Watson has been Essendon captain since 2010 but last season appeared worn down by the on-going supplements saga that has hovered over the Bombers since February 2013.
After the World Anti-Doping Agency announced it was appealing the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal's decision clearing 34 past and present Essendon players of doping offences, Watson struggled to have his usual impact in the midfield before a persistent shoulder injury ended his year after round 14.
Although it is believed Watson remains highly likely to continue as skipper next season, Worsfold said the Bombers would not rush into a decision.
"We'll get feedback from the players, whether that's done via a vote or just general dialogue, we'll work through that," Worsfold said.
"But over the next three weeks we definitely need to assess what the group sees as the leadership they're looking for and then we'll work from that to say who fits that the best.
"But Jobe's the current captain of the side and he'll lead us through to that period.
"We want to know what the playing group believe they want and need from their captain and the leadership group, not just the captain.
"We'll get their feedback on that and then obviously we need to get the coaches' feedback.
"There are a lot of people who've been at this football club and know the guys a lot better than me, so we'll take all that into account."
The anti-doping probe at Essendon has taken its toll on skipper Jobe Watson. Picture: AFL Media
The Bombers welcomed back their fifth-year-plus players to pre-season training on Monday, including Watson.
Worsfold said the 2012 Brownlow medallist would start his 2016 preparation on a slightly modified program, along with the likes of Michael Hurley and Michael Hibberd.
"They're pretty much ready to go. If we wanted to rush Jobe back into full training we could do that, but with Hurley and Hibberd and a few others we'll just follow the progression that's best for them," Worsfold said.
After Jake Carlisle's departure to St Kilda in the trade period, Essendon holds a strong hand in Tuesday night's NAB AFL Draft, with its first two picks – subject to any Academy player bids – falling at picks No.4 and 5 overall.
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Worsfold said one of the Bombers' main focuses in the draft would be to find some forwards who could support spearhead Joe Daniher.
"There has to be a big focus on scoring more," Worsfold said.
"At the moment, there's a heavy focus on Joe Daniher but it would nice to be able to reel off three or four, maybe five, guys that you just say that's our forward line and they're going to kick winning scores."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing of WADA's appeal against the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal's not-guilty verdict finished last Friday, but CAS might not deliver its ruling until after Christmas.
Worsfold said the fact the supplements saga could continue to drag on would not be a distraction for the club.
"That's not a handbrake on us at all. We're sitting back and waiting (for a decision) but we're not going to sit back and not train while we wait for (it)," he said.
"We're training for how good we want to be and that's our absolute focus and we'll deal with what's happening currently, but we're dealing with it with a mindset and a vision to the future."
