Dyson Heppell – Captain

Age: 24

Games: 106

Achievements: 2014 Crichton Medal winner, Runner up best and fairest 2012, 3rd best and fairest 2013, 2015, 2014 All-Australian, 2011 Ron Evans Medal winner

John Worsfold says: “Dyson has an incredible ability to extract the best out of people, both on and off the field. He backs up his words with actions, and does this on a consistent basis, which is a true mark of a leader.”

Cale Hooker – Vice-Captain

Age: 28

Games: 133

Achievements: 2015 Crichton Medal winner, Runner up Crichton Medal 2014, All-Australian 2014

John Worsfold says: ““Cale is an elite player in the competition … and he’s a champion bloke, so he’s a great person to have around.”

Zach Merrett – Vice-Captain

Age: 21

Games: 59

Achievements: 2016 Crichton Medal winner

John Worsfold says: "Zach played some exceptional football in 2016 and that was built off the back of his professionalism, living elite standards and a hunger to improve and develop with each game."

Jobe Watson

Age: 32

Games: 200

Achievements: Essendon Captain 2010-2016, All Australian 2012 and 2013, Crichton Medal winner 2009, 2010 and 2012, Crichton Medal runner up 2006, AFLPA Best Captain 2012

Xavier Campbell says: “On behalf of everyone at the Club I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jobe Watson for his selfless and simply outstanding Captaincy during his six seasons at the helm. Jobe will be remembered as a great Captain of Essendon. “

Brendon Goddard

Age: 31

Games: 289

Achievements: Essendon Captain 2016, 2013 Crichton Medal winner, 3rd Crichton Medal 2014, All-Australian 2009 and 2010.

John Worsfold says: “BJ did a fantastic job after taking on the captaincy last year from both a performance perspective where he was one of our best and most consistent players and from a leadership perspective where his professionalism and elite standards set a great example for the team.”

Michael Hurley

Age: 26

Games: 119

Achievements: Runner up Crichton Medal 2015, 3rd Crichton Medal 2011, All-Australian 2015

John Worsfold says: “We all know the exceptional football talent Michael possesses. He’s a ruthless competitor, strong around the contest and will provide us with great versatility at both ends of the ground.

“Michael leads by example, shows genuine care for his teammates, and will play a pivotal role in upholding the elite standards that will help us achieve our goal of becoming a top side in the competition.”

Joe Daniher

Age: 22

Games: 70

Achievements: Runner up Crichton Medal 2016, leading goal kicker 2014, 2015, 2016

John Worsfold says: "He's a quality footballer who's got a bright future ahead. But he's like us as the Essendon Football Club. We've got a lot of hard work ahead to reach where we want to get to. But I see the desire for him to do the work to become the footballer I know he can be."