SNAPSHOT
Coach: Matthew Knights
Captain: Jobe Watson
Finished 2009: eighth (10 wins, 12 losses, one draw)
Best and fairest: Jobe Watson
Leading goalkicker: Matthew Lloyd (35 goals)
Leading possession winner: Brent Stanton (572)

NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Mark Williams(traded from Hawthorn), Jake Melksham, Jake Carlisle, Travis Colyer, Anthony Long (NAB AFL Draft), Kyle Hardingham (NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft), Taite Silverlock, Ben Howlett, Stewart Crameri, Marcus Marigliani, John Williams (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Ian Robson (managing director and chief executive officer), Shannon Grant (Bendigo Bombers coach)

BEST 22
B: Dustin Fletcher, Tayte Pears, Henry Slattery
HB: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Cale Hooker, Courtenay Dempsey
C: Jason Winderlich, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
HF: Angus Monfries, Michael Hurley, Kyle Reimers
F: Mark Williams, David Hille, Alwyn Davey
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Andrew Welsh, Brent Prismall
I/C: Mark McVeigh, Scott Gumbleton, Ricky Dyson, Heath Hocking

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
In the absence of David Hille, Patrick Ryder had a standout 2009. With athletic consistency, he made the No.1 ruck spot his own while showing his versatility as the club's leading tackler. With Hille to resume from a knee reconstruction, Ryder's importance as the dominant big man will continue.

UP AND COMER
Tayte Pears' second year saw him place third in the NAB AFL Rising Star, with his performances against some of the league's most dangerous forwards attracting attention. With Dustin Fletcher likely to play more of a loose role, Pears should receive more tough assignments in his development as the Dons' future full-back.

NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Has there ever been as much interest in a player as inexperienced at AFL level as Scott Gumbleton? A cruel injury streak has kept him to just five games in three years. For Essendon supporters, the No.2 draft pick needs to show something - anything - this year as he's been touted as the great white hope for too long now.

CHANGING TACK
Last year, the Bombers became renowned for their fearless and fast ball movement even though it didn't always produce positive results. Matthew Knights is entering his third year but he won't stop encouraging his players to be adventurous. If anything, the Bombers need to improve their defensive skills. Conceding nearly 100 points each week, they were rated 12th overall in the league in 2009. Michael Hurley will serve a club suspension for the first three rounds of the season, but it will be interesting to see which end of the ground he spends more time at upon his return.

INJURY LIST
Travis Colyer (hand) - 1 week
Leroy Jetta (dislocated thumb) - 4-6 weeks

WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"We don't want to be known as just an exciting, young team. We are a group of men playing against other groups of men and we want to be seen in that light.

"We played well against the top sides [in 2009] and we need to play that way consistently and that is what we will be focusing on." - vice-captain Andrew Welsh

CRYSTAL BALL
Mark McVeigh and Michael Hurley are suspended early but the Bombers will field close to a full-strength side in round one, with David Hille likely to play. Fixture wise, things look tough: three finalists in the opening five rounds and then every weekend from round 18. They'll also need to make up for the loss of Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas and Andrew Lovett, who kicked 78 goals between them last year. Expect a finish from ninth to 12th.

SEASON OPENER
March 26 v Geelong at the MCG.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.