Essendon midfielder Ben Howlett is set to be rewarded for his consistent season, with the 23-year-old ""very close"" to inking a new deal with the Bombers.

Howlett, recruited from Western Australia, said there was no lure to return home and that a new deal would be finalised soon.

""I know my contract negotiations are very close, we're not very far away,"" Howlett said on Monday.

""Hopefully I sign very soon. It's not a worry for me [being away from home]. My family gets over a fair bit so I'm very happy with the Essendon Football Club.""

Howlett has been a constant in Essendon's improvement in the last two seasons, and has played every game for the Bombers since round 15, 2010.

He was the Bombers' best player in their 50-point win over Port Adelaide on the weekend, having 26 disposals and kicking an important goal in the fourth quarter.

Although some of his grunt work goes unnoticed, Howlett says he is getting closer to the player he wants to be.

""I just feel that now that I've had a couple of pre-seasons under my belt it's developed me pretty well and I haven't missed any of the pre-season,"" Howlett.

""As a player, it's coming along nicely and James Hird and definitely [midfield coach] Simon Goodwin have had a great role in developing me.""

Essendon's push towards the top four faces a big test this week when it meets Geelong on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

The last time the sides met, in round 15 last year, the Bombers broke the Cats' unbeaten streak with skipper Jobe Watson on the sidelines. Again the Bombers will be without some key players this week, but Howlett hopes for a similar result.

""Last year … we were missing a few guys and it was a great opportunity for us young guys to step up,"" he said. 

""I think Jake Melksham and Dyson Heppell really stood out last year and hopefully we can do that again.""