First year Bomber Jason Ashby made some positive steps towards an AFL debut this season setting the foundations for an exciting 2014 season.

Ashby impressed at VFL level throughout the season with his ability to find space and use the ball with precision.

“We got some really good progression in Jase’s footy over the course of the year,” Development coach James Byrne said.

“He is a fit kid who picks up the game plan pretty well and he is really competitive.”

“He has actually got a lot of leadership qualities and we were really happy with his year and the progression that we saw over the course of the VFL season.”

Byrne said the leadership qualities in the 19-year-old’s game were something for all Bomber fans to get excited about.

“His competitiveness, his leadership and the things that he does for his teammates is really exciting and you can look forward to getting a guy that will play that way,” he said.

“The other thing is he has a great ability to just find the football.”

After a strong start to the season as a halfback who played through the midfield, Ashby moved into the forward line late in the season to great effect.

“We changed him late in the season to play as a forward and he showed really good ability to create space for himself and find the ball,” Byrne said.

“He played a lot of footy across half back but we found he was really good around the midfield and up forward for us with creating that space and his ball use.”

Byrne predicted Ashby would put his hand up to make his AFL debut in 2014.

“Obviously the first year guys have all got development in them, a bit of up side and things to work on but Jase is the sort of competitive kid that will put himself up for selection.”