Former GWS aces Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith have been included in Essendon’s AFL leadership group for the first time.

The pair will join defender Michael Hurley and experienced midfielder David Zaharakis, with Dyson Heppell confirmed as captain for the fourth-straight year.

It is a big tick of approval for 26-year-old Shiel, who is entering his second season at the Bombers after switching from the Giants at the end of 2018.

Smith headed to Essendon a year before Shiel, winning the Crichton Medal as the Bombers’ best-and-fairest in his debut season.

A knee injury ruined Smith’s 2019 campaign, limiting him to just seven games in the red and black.

“This elevation is a terrific opportunity for both Devon and Dylan,” Essendon’s football manager Dan Richardson said.

“Both men lead by example with their professionalism and have a strong on-field presence.”

Richardson talked about the combined experience of 850 games between the five players.

The Bombers are desperate to improve on their eighth-placed finish last year having not won a finals match since 2004.

Entering their final season under coach John Worsfold before he hands over the reins to Ben Rutten, Essendon’s round-one assignment is against Fremantle on March 21 at Marvel Stadium.