Heās sampled just about every position on the ground in his first two seasons on an AFL list, but for now, the backline is home for Aaron Francis.
The number six draft pick was shifted to defence in the VFL three weeks ago.
He produced his best game in that role last week, finishing with 22 disposals and eight marks against the Northern Blues.
Francis has been used mostly in attack throughout his five senior games, but Performance Coach Mark Harvey said the 19-year old approached John Worsfold recently about shifting to the backline.
āHe went and had a chat with the senior coach and probably was thinking thatās where he needed to go,ā Harvey told Bomber Radio.
āThatās how he was recruited effectively in the under 18 system.
āHeās played there the last couple of weeks and heās starting to ramp up his ground coverage.
āFundamentally he reads the game quite well and his offence can be good if we can get his kicking more decisive.ā
Essendonās backline in the senior team has been unchanged in the last five weeks.
But Harvey said Francis could contend for selection if his performances continue and expects him to settle as a defender down the track.
āHe was in good form last week and there is no reason why he canāt push for senior selection in the coming weeks,ā Harvey said.
āHis GPS results are starting to get to the required level, heās tough, heās uncompromising.
āI would expect heāll be in the team at some stage in the next six weeks.ā
Supposedly about a third of the way into the season, when he was down on confidence and marking poorly.
Although I was quite critical of our forwards set up in the Ressies I saw last year - little structure or system apparent, and this wouldnāt have helped. Having a more defined role is a pretty common way for players struggling with confidence to regain it.
Kudos to him for recognising it.
I donāt think requesting to be played back reflects a permanent preference.
Iām happy to agree with you actually on that one - my main point was in defending Gleeson who I rate highly. Certainly Francis has not gone backwards during his time on the list - so poor choice of words there and I do still hold optimism for him.