Kevin Sheedy's AFL return to Essendon could be confirmed as early as next week.
The legendary four-time Bombers premiership coach is set to take an executive role with the Bombers.
It will be a timely and sorely-needed morale boost for a club anxiously awaiting the AFL anti-doping tribunal verdicts on 34 current and past players.
Regardless of whether the players are acquitted, the long-running supplements scandal has done massive damage to Essendon.
The Herald Sun has reported that Sheedy will become Essendon's general manager of club projects and innovation.
It would be the ideal job for a man who is famous for his left-field thinking and a unique take on the game.
But Sheedy's move from Greater Western Sydney will not be automatic.
While he will leave with the Giants' blessing, Sheedy is a director there and has an ambassador's role at the club.
He has been at the Giants for six years and was their inaugural AFL coach.
Sheedy's exit from GWS has to be worked through and there is little chance Essendon will make a formal announcement this week.
Regardless of the timing, acting Essendon captain Paul Chapman said Sheedy's pending return was great news for the Bombers.
"It's only a great thing, isn't it - Kevin Sheedy, four-time premiership coach," Chapman said.
"It will be a good thing for this football club."
Also on Wednesday, Chapman said the club's top-up players must put the team first during the NAB Challenge.
The former Geelong premiership star will captain an AFL team for the first time this Saturday when Essendon open their NAB Challenge campaign against St Kilda in Morwell.
Essendon's pre-season teams will feature several top-up players - who all have previous experience at AFL clubs - as the club awaits the AFL anti-doping tribunal verdict.
While filling in at Essendon is a potential second life in senior football for them, Chapman said they must not think as individuals.
"They know that and we know that (they are playing for a lot) - but not at the expense of what we want to do as a football club," he said.
"And they know that too.
"Together, we all look better."
Chapman said while they will aim to beat the Saints, they will have to scale back the complexity of their game plan.
"Obviously it's tougher," he said.
"Probably playing heaps of tricks and stuff like that, that we've been working on, we won't be doing that.
"Hopefully if we do it well in the first week ... we can progress it and go a little bit further."
Chapman added it is an honour to lead the Bombers.
"It (their situation) is new, but we're all very excited and it's a great opportunity for the young guys," he said.
"It will probably be different, but if we can play as well as what
"We want to win every game."
He said the top-up players had fitted in well and will know exactly what is required of them against St Kilda.
Chapman also admitted he would not normally play in the first game of the pre-season.
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