ESSENDON'S challenge last year was to re-sign its suspended players, a feat achieved successfully with 10 of the 12 Bombers serving anti-doping bans.

This year the task will centre more on tying down its crop of exciting youngsters.

Already, the Bombers have re-signed Orazio Fantasia to a new two-year extension. Fantasia showed his smarts in attack with a four-goal haul in Essendon's win over Hawthorn last week.

Re-signing emerging midfielder Darcy Parish is a big priority, and negotiations are underway for a deal to extend beyond his first standard two-year contract, which ends at the conclusion of this season.

But Joe Daniher looms as perhaps the most important re-signing for the Dons, with the emerging key forward falling out of contract at the end of the year.

Daniher is into his fifth season with the club and is its main key forward, with some rival list managers suggesting his next long-term deal could be worth between $600-700,000. The 23-year-old said this week the contract was far from the front of his mind.

"My management and the club have a fantastic relationship, and they have had right throughout my career. I'm pretty sure that'll just play out behind closed doors and I can just concentrate on kicking the footy," Daniher told AFL.com.au this week.

"Things like that don't bother me too much, I'm pretty concerned about playing on the weekend, playing my role for the team and getting as many wins as possible."

It is hard to see Daniher pursuing any opportunities elsewhere. His family ties to Essendon are extremely strong and he chose the Bombers over the Swans as a father-son pick ahead of the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. He has also been at the club during its disastrous period, and brighter times are now on the horizon.

"My love for the game has never wavered throughout my time in this football journey so far. I continue to enjoy the game and continue to enjoy spending time with my teammates, who I have loved playing with the past four years of my career," he said.

Beyond the Bombers' younger brigade, Essendon's list management team's focus will largely lie with the veterans on its books. Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard, Brent Stanton are all out of contract at the end of the season, as are Heath Hocking and Mark Baguley, while David Zaharakis is a restricted free agent.

Daniher's ascent will be crucial to Essendon's success this season. He has led the Bombers' goalkicking the past three seasons, and booted a career-high tally of 43 majors last season.

His accuracy in front of goal has been an issue – he kicked 32 behinds last season – and on Saturday night against the Hawks he showed his preference to snap goals from set shots instead of the kicking drop punts.

Daniher has worked closely with forwards coach Hayden Skipworth on developing a reliable routine in front of goal, and he said he feels more comfortable kicking around his body than the more conventional way from certain angles.

"I've done a lot of work on it and I'll continue to do so. Like any player with a flaw in their game, they try to work it out and iron it out as best they can. It's something I'll continue to do right throughout my career," he said.

"In the pockets, on the 45 [degree angle], I try to open up the angle a little bit more and feel really comfortable doing that. It's something I'll keep practicing and sticking with."

Essendon's attacking options have been bolstered by the return of Cale Hooker, who will play as a permanent forward this year, along with a fleet of quick, small goalkickers who have added a dangerous element to the Bombers.

Daniher remains the focal point, but last week also pushed further up the field, using his agility and sweeping left-foot kick to send the ball deep into Essendon's forward line. He feels ready to take the next step in his career this season.

"I know what player I want to become. I think I know the direction to get there, and a lot of it is based around hard work," he said.

"I'm really excited by the hard work, really excited by taking it on and trying to get there as quick as I can. Things don't happen overnight, unfortunately, but I'm really looking forward to taking that next step and becoming that player I want to be.

"Like any job, you have to serve your time and get that experience up."