New Essendon assistant Guy McKenna has thrown his support behind Gary Ablett’s leadership.

McKenna was Ablett’s coach for four seasons at Gold Coast, and says he’s ‘staggered’ that people question his suitability to be captain.

Ablett and a handful of teammates were able to miss some pre-season sessions to follow their religious beliefs, but McKenna said everyone at the club was understanding about it.

‘If it’s going to make them better people, it’s going to make them better footballers,’ he said.

Sam McClure said it’s ‘almost a certainty’ that Ablett will have a co-captain next season, with Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia, and Rory Thompson the frontrunners for the position.

McKenna said he joined the Bombers as an assistant because ‘there’s a lot to get excited about’ at the club.

LISTEN: Guy McKenna on Sports Today