Essendon forward Will Snelling admits he can’t wait to play in front of the Dons’ Melbourne fan-base more consistently in 2022.

Tonight’s AAMI Community Series game against St Kilda will mark the first time the Bombers have played at the venue with supporters since round 17 last season, almost nine months ago.

Two heavily COVID-19 impacted years have robbed Essendon’s faithful of cheering on their side in their home city.

The Dons will play eight home and away matches in a row in Melbourne to start the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership season, and Snelling says he can’t wait to feel the in-ground support of the red and black faithful this year.

“I’ve played more games at Metricon than I have at Marvel,” Snelling told SEN SA.

“I’m looking forward to getting back and I think our members are chomping at the bit to have us back out there.

“This Saturday night against the Saints, even though it’s only a community series game, I think it’d be great to get back to normal crowds and that atmosphere we all love.”

After finishing third in Essendon’s Crichton Medal count, Snelling has established himself as one of the mainstays of the Bombers’ best 22.

02:17

2021 Crichton Medal | Third-place interview

Watch Will Snelling claim third place in the 2021 Crichton Medal count.

It’s a remarkable rise for the West Adelaide product, who has made the most of his chances since being selected as Essendon’s first-ever mid-season draftee in 2019.

Now that Snelling has transitioned himself from a recruit who’s trying to impress his newest club to a locked and loaded team member, the 24-year-old has earmarked two new players which have has caught his eye so far this pre-season.

“(Jake Kelly) is a bloody good defender,” Snelling said.

“He’s hit the ground running and his body, for the first time in a few years, has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season and he’s fitted in really well.

03:47

Pre-season | Jake Kelly

Defender Jake Kelly runs through how his pre-season is tracking as training ramps up ahead of practice matches.

“(Alastair Lord) has got some pace and he’s tough at it. We’ve got a good culture of blooding guys early and getting some experience in with what we did last year with guys like Archie Perkins and Nik Cox.

“Hopefully he can get a taste of it early and I’ll be pretty excited to see what he can do.”