ESSENDON will use the surprise successes of Richmond and the Western Bulldogs in the past two years as motivation that "anything is possible" for the Bombers in 2018.
The Bombers returned to the finals this year for the first time since 2014, only to be thrashed by Sydney at the SCG, which was their fourth elimination final loss since their last finals win in 2004.
After a strong NAB AFL Trade Period that netted them Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad, and a season that saw three Bombers named in the All Australian side, expectations will rise for the club in 2018.
The club's chairman Lindsay Tanner said the premiership victories of the Bulldogs and Tigers in the past two years meant Essendon could dream of a swift rise to the top.
"The Western Bulldogs and Richmond are proof that anything is possible if you are prepared to do the work, lift your standards, forge strong alignment and drive even greater accountability across your entire club," Tanner said from the club's annual general meeting on Monday.
"We must challenge ourselves to find this improvement if we want to achieve our vision of being the most inclusive, successful and respected sporting organisation in Australia.
"The hard work has only just started, but as a club, we have never been more unified or as strong to rise to the challenge that awaits us."
Essendon's 13 years without a finals win gives it the longest finals drought of any club in the competition. But Tanner said the nature of the AFL meant the Bombers shouldn't be daunted in their attempts to have a tilt at the top four.
"As we have seen in recent years, the competition is full of opportunity, and we need to challenge ourselves to find improvement to match it with the best in the competition. And, most importantly, in finals football when it matters most," he said.
Essendon formally welcomed two new members to its board on Monday night, with 2000 premiership player Sean Wellman officially added as well as Melissa Green.
The board endorsed its nominations committee's recommendation to appoint Green, who is the head of Melbourne agency and government at Facebook. She is also a member of the Bombers' innovation committee and joins the club as it prioritises a "digital transformation".
Essendon also inducted seven past and present players as life members of the club. Tom Bellchambers, David Myers, Heath Hocking, David Zaharakis, Cale Hooker, Angus Monfries and Paddy Ryder were given the honour.
Monfries, who finished his career at Port Adelaide, was among the players at the meeting to collect his life membership.
