Zach Merrett has praised the attitude of teammate Darcy Parish as the second year player attacks a slightly different role in the Essendon line-up.

Parish signed a new two-year deal with the Club on Wednesday and alongside Merrett – who is signed with the Club until at least the end of 2021 – will form the backbone of the Bombers midfield for many years to come.

But in the last fortnight Parish has split his time between the midfield and the forward line.

He collected 21 disposals against Brisbane upon his return from a calf injury and last week picked up 28 possessions and provided a spark when shifted on to the ball while Merrett was assessed following a head knock in the third quarter.

“The last two games he’s been super, he’s embraced his role up forward,” Merrett told Bomber Radio.

“It would have been easy for him to spit the dummy and want to play more in the midfield but at this stage he realises he’s got to develop more.

“He’s had a super attitude and can hopefully develop his game further and further and eventually play in the midfield full-time.” 

Parish played 20 games in his first season in 2016 with the bulk of those games spent as an inside midfielder.

He averaged 21 disposals and has maintained those numbers this year despite the return of some more seasoned teammates.

“'Darc' had a really big workload in his first year and I think the last guy to do that before him was Joel Selwood and that’s going back a number of years,” Merrett said.

“To come in and play 20 games in your first year in the midfield every day is a massive effort.

“I think it probably took a toll this year – he started the year really well but was probably a little bit tired and ended up doing a calf.

“I think the break was really good for him and he’s come back fresh and ready to go.”