After a disastrous 2018 AFL season, star Essendon forward Joe Daniher is expected to be ready to attack pre-season training from day one.
Daniher hasn't played since round seven this year after succumbing to osteitis pubis, a chronic groin issue.
The Bombers remained hopeful he would return at some stage this season but have also been at pains to ensure he fully recovers from the debilitating condition.
As recently as last week, Daniher expressed a desire to play again this season but, with the club's finals hopes dashed, the focus has shifted to preparing for next year.
"That's the aim ... that's what we've been working towards," coach John Worsfold said of Daniher's likelihood of full participation on day one.
"That's why we took the aggressive action early in the year to really work out what was happening with him and what his issues were, then put things into place.
"You need your best players, and all of your squad, as fit and as available as you can have them.
"I know Joe is really excited. He's really missed playing footy this year. He just has fun playing the game and he hasn't been able to do that.
"He can't wait to get back into it and I'l be pretty excited to have him up and going as well."
Essendon will farewell veteran Brendon Goddard after Friday night's season finale against Port Adelaide after they decided not to offer the defender a new contract.
He's the first change to be made to the playing list but - after welcoming trade targets Adam Saad, Jake Stringer and Devon Smith last year - Worsfold won't make wholesale changes as he looks to push back into the top eight.
"I'm not expecting a big list turnover," he said.
"We'll actively explore (trade) options but whether we actually get anything done is an unknown.
"We're open to adding to our list via trades ... it's one way that we've got to improve our list and there's not too many of them so we should explore that."
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