Essendon coach Mark Thompson has flagged more time in the midfield for David Zaharakis this season after an impressive 43-disposal display against Gold Coast on Monday night.
Zaharakis led the way for the Bombers with a stand out performance in the team’s one point loss to the Suns.
“We are going to try and give him more game time in the middle of the ground as an inside midfielder,” Thompson said post match.
“If he keeps turning out those sort of performances he will play there all year.”
The 23-year-old midfielder said he had enjoyed his most consistent pre-season since being drafted to the club in 2008.
“It was good for a lot of guys to get a feel out there after having a full pre-season under our belts and be able to just play footy,” Zaharakis said.
“I am coming off the most work I have done in a pre-season, over the last five years I have missed a week here or a week there.”
“This year I have missed one session for the whole pre-season so I am feeling fit and ready to go for the year.”
Zaharakis said the performance of the club’s younger players against the Suns was a pleasing sign.
“It was a good hit out for the younger guys on the big stage against quality opposition.”
“When it got tight there at the end we didn’t quite have the quality finish off but as I said it was a great hit out for the younger guys just to get that experience.”
Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle showed strong form up forward in what Zaharakis hopes is a sign of things to come from the key position duo.
“Joe was great, when he leaps for the ball and jumps to his highest point probably no one in the competition could reach there and spoil the ball from him,” Zaharakis said.
“A great positive from last night is himself and Jake Carlisle and they are a great tandem moving forward for us for the year.”
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