ESSENDON may set its sights on boosting its ruck division at next month's NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.

The Bombers added Dyson Heppell, Ariel Steinberg, Michael Ross, Alex Browne and Luke Davis to their list in last Thursday's national draft.

That quintet joined the senior squad at training at on Monday morning, with coach James Hird enthusiastic about what the newcomers will add to his team in 2011.

At 191cm, the versatile Steinberg is the tallest of that group, so with another spot to fill on their list in the pre-season draft the Bombers are eyeing what other holes may need filling.

"We'll have a look ... another midfielder would be great but we'll see what's about," Hird said from training on Monday.

"Maybe a young ruckman would be fantastic but we will certainly stay on a youth line. I think our development is definitely all about youth," Hird said.

"We'll have a look through - there's a number of young ruckman out there, there's a number of mature ruckman out there in other competitions but it's always good to have a bit of depth in the ruck department.

"We've got David and Paddy and also Tommy Bellchambers, so we've got three very good ruckmen but having a fourth is probably nice to have on your list."

The coach said ready-made players, such as discarded West Coast forward Ashley Hansen and former Collingwood goal kicker John Anthony, were not on the Bombers' radar.

Hird was pleased with his club's new additions, who he believes will be able to play in the midfield, defence or attack in the future for his side.

Heppell, which the club only settled on last week after it became apparent the Gippsland youngster would fall through to them at pick eight, predictably will be the most highly-anticipated of the debutants when he runs out in the red and black, but Hird played down any hype surrounding the strongly-built midfielder.

"We're not putting any pressure on him at all," he said.

"It'd be great if he plays senior footy [next year]. If not it's all about developing for a long AFL career rather than [having an] impact in year one.

"We'd like to see that but as we say there's no expectation. If he does it's a bonus and if not then we'll work to year two."