On the back of an impressive first half to the VFL season, defender Ariel Steinberg has today been upgraded to the club’s senior list.

After making his long-awaited senior debut in the latter part of last season, Steinberg is grateful to be given the chance to play senior football again but is disappointed it had to come at the expense of one of his injured teammates.

“It’s always an interesting one and sort of good and bad,” said Steinberg

“You just try and play the best football you can and everyone wins.”

Steinberg played three games for Essendon last season where he showed plenty of promise as a third key defender with a strong ability to intercept and clear the defensive 50.

He has continued his development for Essendon VFL averaging 20 disposals, nine marks and five rebounds from the defensive 50 in his nine games so far. Steinberg credits a lot of his growth into one of the premier defenders in the VFL competition to working with senior Essendon players such as Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher and James Gwilt.

Steinberg’s addition to the list give selectors another option as he has the potential to add yet another dimension to an already stable backline.

“It’s pretty hard to get a game when you’ve got the best backline in the comp,” said Steinberg

“It’s a blessing and a curse.”

However, always optimistic, Steinberg sees this as just another opportunity to prove himself as a serious contender for a permanent position in the Essendon senior side.

“Neil Craig always says you do it the hard way and if you make it like that, you really make it.

“I’ve played a lot of football in the VFL so I feel like I’m really ready to come out and play AFL.

“I have  a lot to offer.”