Essendon VFL Coach Paul Corrigan says Kobe Mutch and Dylan Clarke have played key roles in the side’s push to the finals.

Mutch (averaging 21 disposals) and Clarke (18 disposals) have found plenty of the ball and provided consistent output across the season.

At 19 years of age, Mutch is proving to be a versatile asset for the Dons.

“He’s come into the system and had a real impact at VFL level,” Corrigan said.

“He’s been playing a mixture of inside and outside this year through the midfield, and he’s performed really well.

“He’s got a really big engine - gets up and down the field really well, and has a good ability to find the ball.

“We have probably used him on the wing a little bit more, to teach him that aspect.

“When we have put him inside he is just a natural ball winner and a contested beast in there.

“I think he is one that will really keep developing over the years.”

Clarke played with Eastern Ranges in the under 18 competition last season under former Bomber Darren Bewick.

He impressed as a midfielder at junior level but, like Mutch, has been used in a range of roles this season.

“We played him in a few position this year, through the midfield and forward,” Corrigan said.

“With these young men that are coming into the system, they are really mature in their bodies.

“I guess the biggest thing we have noticed this year, is their ability to be able to play multiple games and have consistency in their training.

“He’s really impressed in the way that he’s been able to go forward and play a role.

“Through the midfield he is quite strong around the ball.”

Senior Coach John Worsfold has rewarded multiple players for their efforts at VFL level, with senior selection this season.

After impressive performances in the VFL, Joshua Begley was named as an emergency in the AFL side eight times, before getting the call-up in round 22 against Gold Coast.

“Guys like Begley, who played a lot of VFL at the start of the year and then got his opportunity late, when you look at those type of players – the Club is in a really good position going forward,” Corrigan said.

From the VFL-list, Alex Boyse has starred for the Bombers in front of goals, finishing seventh on the Frosty Miller medal count.

The 23 year old is a dangerous forward, with impressive skills at ground level and overhead.

His performances landed him a spot in the AFL state Combine in October.

“I think he has all the potential to be drafted,” Corrigan said.

“He has really good speed and spring, where he can jump at the ball. He is a hard match up because at ground level he is also quite good.

“I think he is one of those players that can play a role in the forward and we’ve also talked about the possibility of throwing him up the field a little bit more – could he play that wing role.

“He is relatively young to football. He has had some injuries in the past that hasn’t allowed him to play a lot of football.

“This year has probably been the first year that we’ve seen a full season from Alex, he got a taste of it last year with a couple of games.

“We made sure that his program over the pre-season was a building one where he could hit round one and then hopefully sustain that for the whole year, and he’s been able to do that.

“He’s leading our goal kicking at the moment – he’s been really impressive.”

Essendon VFL will face Footscray this Sunday at Fortburn Stadium, in an Elimination Final.