MATTHEW Egan's three-week stint in the Essendon coaching seat has convinced him he wants to pursue a senior role in the future.
The interim coach, who has ruled himself out of applying for the vacant Bombers gig, ended his time in the coaching box on a high as Essendon won a thriller by three points against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
Five talking points: Collingwood v Essendon
Egan has won plenty of admirers for his calm and assured demeanour since taking over the job after James Hird resigned in August, and said it was a path he was looking to pursue.
"I've learned a lot about myself the past two or three years with everything that's happened," Egan said.
"Before this three-week period I did have uncertainty about where I wanted to head. I've probably always been wanting to go down the development path – I've loved training up players and improving them individually.
WATCH: Matthew Egan's full post-match media conference
"But this has definitely given me a little taste and I'm really grateful to the club that gave me this opportunity because you don't know until you get into this situation.
"It's pretty tough on the family, no doubt, but it's given me some belief."
It was a "proud" Egan who watched his inexperienced side come from behind to snatch the victory from Collingwood, as midfielder Heath Hocking drilled the game-clinching goal with less than a minute-and-a-half left.
"I'm extremely proud. It was an interesting game. There were skill errors for both teams but we're absolutely rapt they kept playing (to the end)," Egan said.
"Their attitude was outstanding and it was probably our best four-quarter consistent patch we've played.
"It's been a tough year for the players, seeing them at the end was great reward for such a tough year."
Egan pointed to the contributions of youngsters Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford, Conor McKenna, Shaun Edwards and Orazio Fantasia as positive signs for the future.
Despite many Bombers being out of contract at season's end – namely Jake Carlisle, Shaun McKernan, Jake Melksham and Brent Stanton – Egan believes the club is not far away from having a number of players recommit.
Carlisle has attracted plenty of interest from opposition clubs including North Melbourne, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs and appears unlikely to be at the Bombers next season.
"There's a fair few contracts that are really close, so hopefully those guys get sorted out soon," Egan said.
"But there's obviously some players we need to make a decision on. That comes down to list management. They've been working through that and hopefully they get a few of those guys signed up soon."
Up to eight players who played on Sunday will continue to play in the VFL finals, with Egan seeing a lot of value in having the club's young players experience that level of intensity.
But after another difficult year marred by the World Anti-Doping Agency's announcement it would appeal the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal's decision to clear 34 present and former Essendon players of using banned substances, Egan said the senior players deserve a much-needed rest.
“The guys that have been through a hell of a lot need a freshen up and need to get away,” Egan said.
"I've spoken about them spending time together. You don't just leave each other because that's where you create really good culture."
