• Now that it's over, what will Essendon do next?

• ANALYSIS: Hird's dreams of more glory turn into darkness

• Who's on the move? Check out the status of 2015's free agents



ESSENDON had already committed to a full review of its football program and its playing list before James Hird departed his post as the club's senior coach.

But with Hird now gone, what impact will that have on the futures of the 20 out-of-contract players at the club? And will any players who are in contract seek a move elsewhere or be told to pack their bags because of Hird's exit?

Here is a rundown of the 20 Essendon players AFL.com.au understands to be out of contract at the end of this season.

Kurt Aylett: Aylett joined the Bombers via GWS and played two games in 2014, but was pushed onto the rookie list at the end of the season. A hamstring injury put the brakes on his hopes for an early elevation back to the senior group and the rookie hasn't featured at the top level in 2015.

Should he stay or go: Hasn't been able to get going in his time at the club so would be hard to see him staying.

Mark Baguley: Has been in negotiations with the club for a new two- or three-year deal for months. Talks are likely to resume soon, with the 28-year-old a consistent performer across this season in Essendon's backline. He will finish high in the club's best and fairest.

Should he stay or go: Needs to stay for the Bombers. Has become an important player in the backline.

Tom Bellchambers: The restricted free agent wanted to wait until he hit form before really delving into contract talks, but that never happened after a difficult start to the year and then a season-ending foot injury. Bellchambers knocked back a lucrative offer from GWS last time he was out of contract. Essendon would receive a compensatory draft pick if he joined another club through free agency.

Should he stay or go: Essendon's dearth of ruck options means he is a necessary signature, but he might attract an solid compensation pick if he takes a rival offer.

Alex Browne: Browne is one of a number of players around his age in limbo about his future. Discussions about 2016 aren't likely to come until after the season and football department review. Browne played well in round 17 but Hird dropped him after a quiet game in round 18.

Should he stay or go: Browne should be given another year and a full run at it.

Jake Carlisle: Appears more unlikely than likely to be at Essendon next year after struggling for form for the past two seasons predominantly as a forward. Hird persisted with him in attack this year and it never came off. The Bombers have been trying to get negotiations going for more than a year now but they have not progressed very far.

Should he stay or go: If he wants to stay, Essendon must sign him and will find a way. If he wants out, they must let him go and trade in another first-round pick.

Paul Chapman: The veteran forward looks set to retire at the end of this year, having had a run of niggling injuries this season. He played 20 games last year in his first season for the club but has managed just eight this year.

Should he stay or go: Go. Chapman has reached the end of a glittering career.

Lauchlan Dalgleish: Dalgleish joined the club via the rookie list and was elevated off it, but injuries have ruined his past two seasons and he has struggled to get a run at it. He impressed in the NAB Challenge but hasn't played a senior game since 2013.

Should he stay or go: Looks more likely to go, having been on the list for four seasons for a total of three games.

Courtenay Dempsey: It is hard to see Dempsey remaining at the club, having fallen out of favour this year. The half-back is an unrestricted free agent. He said recently he wanted to stay at the club, but it was up to the Bombers to make a decision if they wanted to keep him.

Should he stay or go: Dempsey's last few seasons have been disappointing, and his best seems behind him.

Dustin Fletcher: The 400-gamer is expected to retire at the end of the season, his 23rd in the AFL. Fletcher hasn't played since he reached the milestone in round nine, missing nearly three months with abdominal tendinitis. With three rounds to go, the 40-year-old is fighting against time to get out on the field for a farewell game.

Should he stay or go: Fletcher looks set to bow out of the game after a champion career in defence.

James Gwilt: Essendon picked up the free agent last year to add some depth to its key defensive group, and he has done a serviceable job. Hird preferred to use Gwilt in defence to switching Carlisle into that role, but with Hird gone the club's focus might turn to a more structured rebuild with youth.

Should he stay or go: With Fletcher set to depart, Essendon's tall defensive stocks would look very slim if Gwilt and Carlisle left too, which may sway the Bombers to keep him on.

Will Hams: Hams had to prove his fitness last year to win another year on Essendon's list, but again has had problems with his body this season. He played three games earlier this season and is well liked at the club, but has not been able to get senior exposure in the second half of the year as Essendon assesses its out-of-contract players.

Should he stay or go: The club might be willing to give Hams one more season to prove himself.

Elliott Kavanagh: The first-round draft pick requested a trade last year but there was little interest from rival clubs. He went back to work at Essendon but has played just four games this year. He seems likely to be cut at the end of the year having managed just 11 games in four years.

Should he stay or go: Kavanagh hasn't been able to cut it at AFL level so far, so looks on his way out of Essendon.

Jake Long: Essendon picked Long knowing he was going to take some time, but the club was pleased with his early signs in the NAB Challenge and at VFL level. The rookie should get at least another contract to develop given he was recruited quite raw and has shown glimpses of his talent.

Should he stay or go: The son of club champion Michael Long was viewed as a long-term player, so should stay for an extended stint.

Shaun McKernan: The former Adelaide forward was given a career reprieve when the Bombers picked him in last year's rookie draft. He was elevated into the side line-up and played in the ruck, but struggled when thrown the challenging role full-time.

Should he stay or go: The ruck role was not for him on a permanent basis, but it would be good to see him play as a forward who pinch-hits in the middle. Keep him on.

Mark Baguley and Jake Melksham are among the 20 Dons out of contract this season. Picture: AFL Media

Jake Melksham: Melksham was one of Hird's favourites, and the midfielder had his best season in 2013 when Hird moved him into a tagging role. He struggled for continuity last year under stand-in coach Mark Thompson, and this year he has spent some time in the VFL. Negotiations have been slow between the club and the top-10 draft pick.

Should he stay or go: Melksham has appeared unable to find his niche in the team this year, but has talent and ability. Some other clubs would be interested in him, but if he wants to stay then he should.

Nick O'Brien: O'Brien had to wait until Essendon's season was all but over before getting his opportunity this year following a strong run of VFL form. In a seven-game stretch before being dropped last week, O'Brien showed his ability to find the ball in the midfield.

Should he stay or go: Works hard and can find the footy, but a lack of speed works against him as Essendon acknowledges its need for pace.

Tayte Pears: An unrestricted free agent, Pears can leave and join a rival club with Essendon having no say. The rival would need to have a thorough medical check, though, given Pears has endured a shocking run of injuries in the past four years. He made his return to Essendon's senior side last week against Adelaide.

Should he stay or go: Pears' unlucky run with injury means it's hard to make a case to keep him on the list, but it might depend what happens with fellow talls Gwilt, Carlisle and Fletcher.

Brent Stanton: Hird and Stanton were particularly close, with Hird praising his former teammate at his resignation press conference on Tuesday. Stanton might win the club's best and fairest this year but nothing is set in stone for his future. He is another unrestricted free agent.

Should he stay or go: Is in contract negotiations and should remain at the Bombers next year.

Ariel Steinberg: Hird gave Steinberg some important roles in the past seven weeks, using him as a third tall in defence. Steinberg's intercept marking at VFL level saw him come into the team but he has spent three years on the rookie list.

Should he stay or go: Has been given a chance at senior level this year, and been outplayed on several occasions.

Jason Winderlich: Winderlich's decision to change his mind about retiring and choose to play on in 2015 hasn't worked out. The speedy forward has battled injury again, limiting him to one game for the season, and he is expected to retire at the end of the year.

Should he stay or go: Go. It's a shame Winderlich's season was ruined by injury.