ESSENDON will announce its captain for the 2017 season on Wednesday morning, after the club's board considered a recommendation from John Worsfold and his playing group. 

The Bombers have called a media conference for 9.45am on Wednesday at their Tullamarine training base and confirmed their captain and leadership group will be revealed at the event. 

However, the club hasn't confirmed reports that Jobe Watson has decided he doesn't want the position, but it is widely believed the veteran has chosen to focus purely on his football as he returns from a anti-doping suspension. 

Tim Watson refused to comment on Jobe's decision when asked directly on his breakfast radio show Tuesday morning. 

"Jobe and I have a lot of conversations about a lot of things, and all of them probably are confidential," Watson told his SEN listeners.

"I'm not going to comment on it. 

"I'm not going to have a running commentary on what Jobe says or what he's going to do or what he's not going to do." 

Dyson Heppell is the frontrunner for the Essendon captaincy while Brendon Goddard, who skippered the side in Watson's absence last year, is also a contender. 

The club hasn't ruled out the possibility of co-captains. 

Essendon has an intra-club at its Tullamarine base on Wednesday.

The club's first JLT Community Series game is against Collingwood on Thursday, 16 February.