Essendon Bombers will not pressure free agent Darcy Parish

“We want to create a world-class football program at Essendon so players will look at it and say, you know, I think I can be the best player that I can be at Essendon,” Scott said when asked if The Bombers would follow a similar free agency path to that embarked on when he coached North.

“If we can do that, I think we’ll be able to make a pretty compelling argument for practically every free agent.

“But managers and players are still picking up the phone that’s ringing you – you know, I want to speak to you about coming to play for you. That was a shock for me.”

Essendon’s new skipper Zach Merrett weighed his options and studied Essendon’s lineup closely, as Scott had suggested for Parish – Carlton, Collingwood and Port Adelaide were among the suitors – before signing a six-year deal with the Dons in 2021.

Scott tried unsuccessfully to persuade Irishman Conor McKenna to return to Essendon after returning to Ireland but was more successful when he teamed with football department in persuading Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti to do so following the Livewire forward’s retirement earlier last year to return.

Scott said Essendon also needed to be persuaded the forward was signed.

“It wasn’t just ‘Hey ‘Walla’ [McDonald-Tipungwuti]’We definitely want you back’. He had to convince us all that he was willing to do the work. We spoke to him very openly about how difficult it would be and how far behind he is.

“It was clear very early on that he was committed to doing what was required, but he still has a long way to go.”

Scott said “Walla” never missed a training session. “In terms of keeping his end of the bargain, he did that and more. He’s giving himself a chance.”

On Parish’s role, Scott said it’s possible to play his ball-winning prowess – as the new coach intends – and have a strong defensive game.

“Darcy knows elite footwork, he’s really agile – and Zach Merrett falls into that category too – there’s no reason Darcy couldn’t become a really good defensive midfielder.

“Zach and Darce are put in charge of managing our midfield and that’s all the phases. But other than that, yes, he’s an elite ball hunter. So it makes sense to let him chase the ball as often as possible.”