ESSENDON will use the next seven weeks to assess a number of players before deciding on the extent of its list overhaul at the end of the year.

The Bombers have had a horror season, being hit by injuries to key players and falling from being a 2014 finalist to 14th on the ladder with just five wins this year.

Almost half the club's list (including primary and rookie-listed players) remain out of contract for the end of the year, with many being given opportunities to impress in recent weeks.

Heppell keen to lead

Football manager Rob Kerr told AFL.com.au that coach James Hird was prepared to blood younger players as the list management team worked through its options.

"We've got seven rounds to go and like any club you continually have a process where you review your list," Kerr said.

"The fact is, and James has made it fairly clear, we are going to have a look at some of the younger players. Players are going to get opportunities to push their case."

Veterans Dustin Fletcher, Paul Chapman and Jason Winderlich look likely to retire at the end of the season, but a number of senior Bombers are among the uncontracted group, including free agents Brent Stanton (unrestricted), Courtenay Dempsey (unrestricted) and Tom Bellchambers (restricted).

Of the less experienced group, Alex Browne, Will Hams, Elliott Kavanagh and Nick O'Brien are out of contract with the Bombers. Kerr said list manager Adrian Dodoro had been in regular dialogue with player managers.

"One of the issues we've had is Adrian's been slightly out of action because he's had back surgery, but he's managed to stay in communication with agents," Kerr said.

"Because we haven't performed how we would've hoped, you obviously sit back and reassess where you're at with this group. But that's what the next seven weeks are about for us and the players."

Injured tall Jake Carlisle is likely to leave his decision until the end of the season, but Kerr said there had been some progress made in recent weeks as the forward deals with an ankle injury.

"Particularly over the past fortnight, I'd say [Dodoro has] had more intense discussions with Jake's manager. They'll continue," Kerr said.

The state of Essendon's list has come under criticism this year, with many suggesting they had shown too much faith in recruiting experienced types, including Chapman, Adam Cooney and James Gwilt in the past two years.

Kerr said the club's plans had been "thrown out of balance" by being stripped of three early draft selections in the past two years as a penalty resulting from the supplements saga.

Hird recently suggested the Bombers are an unappealing place for players to cross to from rival clubs, but Kerr said the club wouldn't stop looking for the right fit.

"I think there's a lot of positives with respect to Essendon, but people will have their perceptions. Probably part of our role is to shift some of those perceptions," he said.

"That is challenging [with WADA's appeal ongoing] but we'd like to think in terms of facility and opportunities that our club would be right up there."

Finishing 14th would give the Bombers pick five in the NAB AFL Draft, which would be their earliest selection since the 2008 draft when they chose Michael Hurley (No.5 overall).

Kerr said the club had acknowledged it would look for more pace during the trade and draft period, admitting Travis Colyer's explosive run was rare at the Bombers.

"We'd probably like to add a bit of speed to the group, it would be fair to say. We've probably been too reliant on Trav for our speed," he said.