The two-time Essendon VFL/AFL premiership player wants to build a sound foundation for long-term success and avoid creating a yo-yo club in the Essendon District Football League.

The 48-year-old ruled out short-term measures of signing players with dollar signs in their eyes in favour of tapping into the rich resources of the Sharks' junior ranks.

"We spoke to over 150 players and they want more and more," Ezard said.

"They tell you that it's not about the money and you put something in front of them and they say 'you're kidding, aren't you?'

"We're going to concentrate on the young kids coming through."

The Sharks, founded in 1999 as a junior club and promoted into the EDFL senior ranks in 2005, have never reached the finals.

One of the major reasons for that is their inability to retain a lot of their junior players, who move to cashed-up neighbouring clubs.

Ezard has enticed six former junior premiership players back to the club and wants more to follow.

He rates the current crop of under-16s as the best for some time and sees a bright future for the club.

Ezard's mindset is not just on the playing stocks but the club as a whole.

The Sharks are in a lucky position in that they are in a growth corridor.

The window to tap into this new population is ever so slowly closing with new club Burnside Heights Bears starting up this season and Caroline Springs already having a senior presence in the Western Region Football League.

"The next two years are crucial for our club," Ezard said.

"Burnside Heights and Caroline Springs will start taking our quality players if we don't get it right.

"In the past, if the kids have got any talent, Keilor or Taylors Lakes have poached them and I want to turn the culture around where the players want to stay."

The EDFL released its draft 2012 draw last week.

The Sharks will kick-off the new season with a match under lights against Roxburgh Park at Hillside Recreation Reserve on April 14.

Taylors Lakes returns to B grade after its horror top-flight season and will host West Coburg in a blockbuster at Lionheart Reserve in the season opener.

Keilor Park will meet Moonee Valley at Ormond Park for its round one fixture.