Essendon Coach John Worsfold says the unique situation his team finds itself in this season could provide the best opportunity to fast track the development of the players.

In eight games this season, 15 players have represented the Club for the first time. 

Among those are four players (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Darcy Parish, Michael Hartley and Mason Redman) who have made their AFL debut.

Hartley and McDonald-Tipungwuti have played every game, while Parish was rested against Sydney after an impressive first six rounds that included a Rising Star nomination.

“We want to keep building and improving, but it’s just some of the young talent that I’d heard a little about – these guys are getting huge opportunities and under adversity too, they’re not playing in one of the great teams of all time,” Worsfold told Channel Nine’s Footy Classified.

“Sometimes that offers the greatest learnings, if you really look deep." 

An experienced core that includes James Kelly and Mathew Stokes have shown the benefits of their premiership experience already in leading the younger players.

David Zaharakis, although quiet on the weekend, is averaging 28 disposals across the season and Zach Merrett continues his rapid development.

While the Captain, Brendon Goddard, led from the front on Saturday with 38 possessions and has impressed his coach throughout the course of the season.

“I’m not sure if he’s that maligned, I know people question whether he looks to aggressive,” Worsfold said.

“I don’t think they necessarily say that’s a bad thing.

“I talk to him a lot about the outside perceptions of him as a leader, how he perceives himself as a leader and how he wants to be perceived as a leader.

“Ultimately I’m rapt with what he’s brought to the footy club in the Captaincy role.”