Essendon’s younger players are already noticing the influence of Paul Chapman around the team according to third year Bomber Nick O’Brien.

O’Brien has praised the impact the three-time premiership player has had since joining the club during the recent trade period.

“From the day he first got here, he’s been so great for our younger guys, myself included,” he said.

“To be able to speak to him and for him be so open with what’s made him such a good player has been great.”

“He has shared the things that he picked up at Geelong that helped them to become a successful group as a whole.

“Obviously as a player he speaks for himself, but also what he’s going to be able to implement for us young guys to help our football and try establish our careers is going to be really exciting.”

Chapman, a 251-game champion at Geelong, was recruited to the Bombers in exchange for a fifth-round selection during the 2013 trade period.

O’Brien was also glowing of the way Chapman’s former coach at Geelong, and now Essendon coach, Mark Thompson had adapted to the role.

“Bomber’s been great, as expected,“ he said.

 “A coach of his quality and what’s he’s achieved in the game, we know Bomber’s going to be able to lead us the right way and teach us a great way to play footy.

“I think all the boys have been really excited to get under Bomber and he certainly expects a high output from us this year with the list we’ve got and what we’ve been able to achieve so far over the last couple of years.”

Essendon will open the 2014 season against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on March 21.

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