Former Melbourne forward David Schwarz believes Brendon Goddard is struggling to deal with the "burden of captaincy" as the Bombers limp through the season.
Goddard had 23 disposals, 18 uncontested, in a 15-point loss to Carlton on Sunday but didn't have a major impact on the game. He also failed to have an influence in the Bombers' heavy loss to Collingwood on Anzac Day.
In a year where the Bombers have lost a dozen of their top players through an anti-doping suspension, Goddard remains one of their best - and rivals are focusing on him more than ever.
Goddard was given the captaincy because of Jobe Watson's suspension.
Schwarz said Goddard, whose leadership skills had been questioned in the autobiography of former teammate Paul Chapman, was not handling the added responsibility well.
"I have watched Brendon Goddard with interest. I thought his first half against Collingwood the week before was just horrible. His second half was a little bit better. Brendon has normally been that sort of player where he goes missing for slabs of games. I have noticed a lot this year that that has happened," he said on SEN on Monday.
"I reckon ... he feels he has to impose and probably do extra. Brendon Goddard's best asset is the way that he plays the game - that should be the way he leads, rather than trying to come out of the comfort zone and doing things that aren't natural for him.
"It just seems as though there is a little worry on his shoulders at the moment compared to other years."
Former Essendon great Tim Watson said Goddard was adjusting to having to think more about his teammates.
"I think he is probably thinking more about others than just his own game now which is probably new to him being the captain of the club. Being in a lesser side, I think he has always been a great finisher, Brendon, but he hasn't always necessarily been part of the inside action," he said.
"They are probably not getting the same amount of clean ball to him."
Should Jobe Watson return next season - he is currently weighing up his options on an overseas break - he could reclaim the captaincy. Another option would be to look to the next generation and elevate Dyson Heppell, who is also suspended this year.
Watson said the strong form of James Kelly, the former premiership Cat brought to the club as a top-up player, could mean he remains next season when the suspended players return.
"The other point ... Kelly has been very, very good for Essendon. I just wonder whether or not they just might offer him another contract," he said.
"It's his decision making and execution that is very, very good. He is a really calm influence out there at the moment."
