1. New fitness programs don't work overnight
IT WOULD be remiss to do a review of Essendon's 2012 season without starting with the club's injury battles. It's no secret, or overstatement, to suggest the Bombers had a horror injury run this season, mainly with the soft-tissue variety. Few players were spared, many suffered recurrences, and it ruined any continuity the club was trying to muster in the second half of the season. General consensus suggests the Bombers, under new high performance coach Dean Robinson, over-trained over the pre-season and felt the consequences during the year.

2. But when fit, the Bombers are capable
Essendon's first half of the season shouldn't be forgotten, despite its drop-off in the second half of the year. The Bombers won eight of their first nine games, and played football capable of beating any team. Although they finished the year with seven straight defeats, coach James Hird and supporters can take some solace from the fact they defeated three finalists (West Coast, North Melbourne and Fremantle), and lost three games to Adelaide, Collingwood and the Sydney Swans by nine points combined.

3. There's still a few holes to plug
Hird and his senior assistant Mark Thompson continually talk about developing and improving their own players. But they'd know, however, that the club is a couple of players away from really being a top-line premiership threat. That's why they went hard at Gold Coast youngster Josh Caddy last year, and why they'll again try to lure his services through this year's trade period. The Bombers will be on the hunt to bolster that midfield again this off-season, and might also be looking for a small forward. Free agency offers the club a few opportunities to get holes filled.

4. Jobe is a jet
It will be well and truly deserved if Jobe Watson becomes only the sixth player in Essendon's history to win a Brownlow Medal this year. The captain had a standout season, playing every game and averaging 29 disposals. He kicked a career-high goal tally - something he wanted to improve coming into the season - and established himself as one of the best midfielders in the game. He will win the club's best and fairest (for the third time), and a Brownlow would be an apt reward for his tireless work.

5. It's time for a few new leaders to step up
Such is Watson's brilliance, however, that often too much gets left to him. Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis had injury-interrupted seasons and were only in their first year as members of the leadership group, so we can give them some time. But when things start to go bad for the Bombers, responsibility seems to rest solely with Watson. Recently retired Bomber Mark McVeigh conceded it was an issue, and nominated speedster Jason Winderlich as a possible candidate to fill the spare position in the leadership group following's McVeigh's exit.

6. Fletch can go on as long as he likes
Dustin Fletcher has already made it clear he wants to play on for at least another season, and why wouldn't he? The 37-year-old is still performing at a level that outshines most of his teammates, a good and bad thing for the Bombers. He played 18 games in 2012, and was crucial in many, particularly with a couple of match-saving efforts against North Melbourne in round one. Fletcher needs to play 14 games next season to break Simon Madden's club record 378 games.

7. Things look better with Hurley back
Necessity has demanded Michael Hurley play in attack for the best part of the last two seasons. But with Cale Hooker and Tayte Pears struggling to come on as hoped, expect Hurley to be shifted permanently to defence next year. Hird said as much after the last-round loss to Collingwood, when Hurley shut down Travis Cloke after half-time. Of course, if Essendon's forward line is decimated by injury then Hurley can move closer to goal, but with a fully fit line-up of Stewart Crameri, Paddy Ryder and Scott Gumbleton or Joe Daniher, Hird can afford to have Hurley's class and composure in defence.

8. A Rising Star in waiting?
Dyson Heppell became Essendon's first winner of the NAB AFL Rising Star award in 2011, after being drafted with the club's first selection in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft. The Bombers' third selection at that draft, Alex Browne, showed enough late this year to suggest he could be one of the Essendon's great finds. Browne had an injury-interrupted first half of the year, but played the last six games. He's a skillful half-back/wingman who provides some dash and dare for the Bombers. He has some things to work on, but is still eligible for the Rising Star next year and could be a rough chance.

9. David Myers is a midfielder
Again it was an injury-interrupted season for Myers, who suffered from a hamstring strain at the start of the season and a calf injury at the end. But in between we saw enough to prove the 23-year-old is a midfielder, rather than a defender, when he lines up for the Bombers next season. His three notable performances in the midfield came when the Bombers needed him. He gathered 19 disposals in the second half against the Sydney Swans in round 11 after starting as the substitute, had 28 the next game against Fremantle, and had 25 against Port Adelaide in round 16. He offers a strong body and a booming kick - something the Bombers need at the stoppages.

10. Expect big things
After a few years in the system, improvement can happen pretty rapidly for some ruckmen. For instance, we've seen Adelaide's Sam Jacobs and Tiger Ivan Maric jump into the rucking elite this year. By this time next season, expect Tom Bellchambers to be considered in the same company. He played a career-best tally of 16 games, and became the Bombers' first-choice big man early in the season. He broke his foot in the warm up before the last-round meeting with Collingwood, but the 23-year-old will be primed by the start of next year.

Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.