Nathan Bassett expects people to be surprised by the work ethic and talent of new recruit Orazio Fantasia in his first season at the club.

Bassett was Fantasia’s senior coach in the SANFL last season with the pair combining to take Norwood to premiership success.

The Bombers selected the speedy midfielder at pick 55 in the National Draft last month reuniting the pair in red and black.

“He is a lovely young man, it is nice to have coached him in a premiership and now to get a chance to work with him at Essendon,” Bassett said.

“He is certainly a very talented footballer and his work ethic is outstanding so he is going to be the best that he can be.”

“I think he will surprise a lot of people with what he can do and he is good fun to watch.”

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Fantasia said he was excited to be working with Bassett again after entering the AFL ranks.

“We have a really strong relationship,” Fantasia said.

“Working with Bass last year he has taught me a lot as both a player and as a person.

“I think I have grown and matured under him and it is going to be good to work under him again.”

Bassett coached Fantasia at SANFL senior level last year and has been involved with the 18-year-old through the junior system at Norwood.

“I have got to know him quiet a bit in the last couple of years and he is a terrific hard worker as well as a very talented footballer,” Bassett said.

“He is keen. Everybody is being held back in their first week but he came out and did some kicking with me yesterday and is doing some running.”

“He will make a good first impression, he trains at a high standard.”

“Some of the work he did at training last year was just wow.”

Fantasia is confident playing at senior level last season will hold him in good stead as he tries to forge an AFL career.

“I guess it will hold me in good stead having played against bigger bodies and now training against them.”

“I played against them all year, trained against them all year so I think that is good.”

“My goal is to put on a couple of kilos, get a bit bigger and fitter and then hopefully play as many games as possible.”