Matthew Leuenberger says he’s already seeing signs of improvement among Essendon’s younger players.

A host of Bombers entered the season with few, if any, AFL games under their belt.

But the continuity of playing each week has seen their output rise steadily over the course of the season.

“A guy like Fantasia, from the start of the year to what he’s doing now, some of his numbers are elite for the position he plays,” Leuenberger said. 

“Joey Daniher has improved a lot more as the season has gone on. 

“Zach Merrett has gone to another level, Darcy Parish we’ve unearthed, we’re starting to see Aaron Francis come in so we’re certainly seeing a few positives in that regard which will hold us in good stead for the years to come.”

The investment Essendon is making this season in its youth, has Leuenberger confident of the club’s positioning entering 2017.

“If we bank on everyone coming back I reckon our list is in really good shape,” he said.

“We’ve got good 25-30 year old players and we’ve also got a lot of good young kids coming through and we should add some top end talent in the draft as well.

“I think our list is in really good shape and I’d be excited for next year.” 

Leuenberger has been the mainstay of the Essendon ruck division this season.

The former Lions player has played 16 games with support from a combination of Mark Jamar, Shaun McKernan, Sam Michael and Joe Daniher.

On Sunday Leuenberger will be pitted against mobile Geelong ruckmen Zach Smith and Rhys Stanley.

“He’s a real athletic type – I know Zac pretty well, I saw him coming through on the Gold Coast as a kid,” Leuenberger said.

“His combination with Stanley has been pretty impressive, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Leuenberger said the Bombers aren’t buying into any discussion around top eight sides targeting them for a percentage boost.

“We’re just focusing on us and getting out what we want to stand for as a football club and setting some good standards.”