Brendon Goddard has been given one of the toughest jobs in AFL football – captaining a crisis-stricken Essendon through the 2016 season.

Goddard was the obvious choice to replace Jobe Watson, one of 12 Essendon players suspended for the year due to doping offences.

The 30-year-old Goddard has played 269 AFL games, with 64 for the Bombers after crossing from St Kilda.

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Promising midfielder Mark Baguley was also named the club’s vice-captain on Friday.

Goddard and Baguley were the only members of the club’s leadership group in 2015 that are not banned for this season.

“Although I’m honoured to be the captain of the club, I wish it were in different circumstances,” Goddard said.

“I think it’s only natural that we have to change the way that we have to lead (given the suspensions).

“It was really important for all of us to get back to training.

“The other guys would want us to move on and get the most out of the year.

“For us, it’s about improving and getting better. This group has a real opportunity to create its own history. The guys are excited.

Essendon coach John Worsfold said the players voted on Goddard to be the captain.

“The players have had the say,” the former Eagles coach said.

“We went through a similar process as to when we selected our leadership group.

“(In addition to Brendon and Mark) we also have guys like ‘Leuey’ (Matthew Leuenberger) and Craig Bird who can offer great leadership.”

Worsfold also said that the club would announce further signings of top-up players in the coming days.

“We’re pretty close to announcing more player signings, but it’s quite a complex process,” he added.

Three-time premiership player James Kelly and former Fremantle midfielder Ryan Crowley have already been announced as new signings, with ex-Hawk Jonathan Simpkin expected to follow suit shortly.