The pair shared the half-back line for the Bombers’ VFL side in 2015, enjoying breakout seasons as Essendon progressed to a preliminary final.

McDonald-Tipungwuti was rewarded with a spot on the senior list by Essendon, snapped up with pick No. 22 in the rookie draft.

The 23-year-old, from Tiwi Islands, has been a revelation for John Worsfold’s side, featuring in 16 games during his debut AFL year.

McNiece’s reward came in the form of a leadership role with Essendon’s VFL team, the 24-year-old named as vice-captain to skipper Daniel Coghlan for 2016.

The 178cm defender, widely regarded as one of the premier small backmen in the VFL, said McDonald-Tipungwuti‘s success had been inspiring.

“Playing with him last year, you just realise how close (AFL) is,” McNiece said.

“Playing side-by-side most games last year with him and then realising how good he’s gone this year.

“Obviously a lot of hard work off the track that he’s done, I’m not doubting that.

“But talent combined with all the hard work, he’s just had an unbelievable season. It is closer sometimes than you think.”

McNiece, who works as a project engineer, said he had relished being part of the Bombers’ leadership group.

In Coghlan’s absence, McNiece led Essendon to victory against Richmond in a stand-alone Round 8 match at Punt Road Oval on May 28.

The left-footer from Preston said coach Matthew Egan’s trust in the club’s developing leaders had paid dividends.

“He puts a lot of trust in us and leaves a lot of decisions to the leadership group because he wants the team to shape itself as opposed to him trying to be a policeman or have that real dictating mentality,” he said.

McNiece, from Northern Football League club Northcote Park, said the speed of the VFL was the biggest difference to playing locally.

“It’s quite a jump, but it’s different footy as well,” he said.

“You go from (the) Northern footy league which is probably a little bit slower in ball movement, but still quite hard.

“It’s probably the speed that is the biggest jump and just the fitness of everyone in the VFL.”

The McNiece family has been the backbone of Northcote Park since the 1970s, with his father Dennis (general manager) and uncle Peter (president) still serving on the committee.

Ben said he considered Bill Lawry Oval, the Cougars’ base, “home”.

“I’m down there most Thursday nights having dinner with them and try to jump on the training track whenever we have a bye or Essendon let me back there,” he said.

“Going home as I call it.”

McNiece has played 26 games in the red and black, including 13 this year.

He knows a point will arrive in the next few years where he must choose between his AFL dream and a career away from football.

But before then, he is determined to do everything in his power to follow in McDonald-Tipungwuti’s footsteps and join the elite ranks.

“I’ve got a couple of years. It’s always in the back of your mind,” he said.

“Your career, you can’t take a back step for too long before you’ve got to worry about that as well.”

Essendon VFL operations manager Ash Brown said McNiece’s ability to combine attack and defence made him a pivotal member of the Bombers’ defence.

“He started off as basically a train-on (player) in our development group and then won a spot on the list the following year,” Brown said.

“The next year he was basically playing regular senior VFL football and this year he was made a vice-captain.

“His leadership has been great for our VFL group ... he sees the play well, reads the play and is able to coach on the ground.”

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