Essendon youngster Marty Gleeson believes the upcoming NAB Challenge game against St Kilda presents a ‘great opportunity’ for the club’s young brigade.

The Bombers will kick off their NAB Challenge campaign when the side faces the Saints on Saturday afternoon in Morwell.

“There is definitely both excitement and nerves. Obviously it will be us younger guys that play in the NAB Challenge and I think it will be a great opportunity to showcase what we’ve been doing all pre-season,” Gleeson said.

“Not many kids our age at other clubs will get to do this, so we actually see it as a great opportunity.”

Gleeson revealed the club’s third-year players including Joe Daniher and Jason Ashby would relish the opportunity to take on leadership roles on-field over the next few weeks. 

“We’re in the last year of being in the development group – there’s myself, Joey Daniher, Jason Ashby and Hams when he is out there, so being the older boys of the development group, we will try and lead and drive the standards of that group on the track,” Gleeson said.

“But obviously the opportunity to play in the NAB Challenge will be great for us younger boys to go out and lead the club.”

“We’ve had a big pre-season and we’ve done a lot of training and now we just want to get out and play and show what we’ve been doing.”

Coming in to his third year at the club, the 20-year old said he was ready for more of a taste of senior football throughout the season.

“It’s my third year now so I feel like I’ve got the game down pat, and physically it’s the best I’ve felt in the three years – I’ve ticked off most sessions this pre-season and I feel stronger and weigh more than I ever have so I’m excited to go now,” Gleeson said.

“I want to try and build on what I started last year and play more games, and hopefully be a  regular member of the senior side.”