COMING to terms with his football mortality took some getting used to for Essendon veteran Brendon Goddard, but he says he's not looking at 2018 as his swansong season.
Heading into his 16th year in the AFL system, Goddard, 32, triggered a clause in his contract and signed a one-year extension late last year.
"We're all painted with the same brush when we turn 30," Goddard said on Wednesday.
"Thinking you're on one-year deals now and you've got less security than what you had for 10 to 12 years takes a little bit to get over, and (you have to) put your ego aside.
"But I've well and truly done that now.
"It is what it is, you move on and prepare for the season like I would any other season, and if I get a choice of going out on my own terms ... we all dream of doing that, but at the end of the day you do what's best for the team."
Goddard said his role would not change too much from last season, with time in defence and through the midfield his likely positions.
Following the recruitment of experienced trio Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad, the expectations are high at Essendon this year.
Stringer did not take part in the AFLX trial run the Bombers had at their training base in Tullamarine on Wednesday, but both Saad and Smith were there and looked to be in good form alongside their new teammates.
Goddard said it was important to embrace the hype surrounding the group, but also essential to channel it in a mature way.
"It's easy to wander in that direction, don't get me wrong, but it is about accepting the noise outside and bringing back the group to what's important and what we want to improve," Goddard said.
"We keep bringing it back to our values and trademarks and it's easier to keep things in check and keep guys reined in from venturing off too far."
Saad's ability to break the lines on the smaller soccer-style field gave a glimpse of what he will add to the Bombers' backline this season, while forward Josh Green, who has integrated into the main group after foot surgery late last year, kicked three goals in the AFLX trial.
Conor McKenna's run and dash was noticeable, while long-kicking and hard-running into space seemed to be part of the tactics Essendon adopted ahead of their AFLX campaign kicking off on February 16.
Goddard said he won't be part of the 10-man team Essendon decides to field as he prepares himself for the season proper, but gave his opinion on the League's high-octane version of the game.
"It's very much a kick-mark game," Goddard said.
"So teams that are able to maintain possession of the footy will benefit most, but in saying that there might be different concepts and tactics brought in by different teams.
"It will be interesting to see where teams go with it, but it's a highly skilled game. Guys that can hit targets and move it pretty quick benefit the most."
