One Essendon player fans are expecting plenty from in 2008 is 23-year old ruckman, Jason Laycock.
 
Speaking at the 2008 Community Camp in the Gold Coast, the 202cm giant said he has built up strength over the pre-season and increased his bench press by 20kg while maintaining his biggest asset, his leap.  
 
""It's more important for a ruckman to get the strength rather than size for things like the boundary thrown in and when you are fighting for position. It's crucial to have strength to get good position,"" Laycock said.
 
""When you are playing guys like Brendan Lade, who is strong, and also going up against David Hille at training, who is also very strong, it's really going to help me.
 
""But my best asset is my leap, and I have long arms, so this is where I get my advantage.""
 
Laycock, who has played 42 games, said his main focus over the past few months has been improving his skills and fitness.
 
""I have missed a fair few pre-seasons since I was drafted so to get through this one without missing a single session has been really good,"" he said.
 
""I am injury free whereas last season I went into pre-season coming off a shoulder and knee operation and didn't get many sessions in. It was almost exactly the same the year before. Infact, the past two years I have missed most of the running so I am feeling much fitter now.""
 
The former number 10 draft pick recently impressed the coaching staff, recording 11.27 minutes for the 3.2km time trial which is 10 seconds faster than his previous best time.
 
""I am pretty excited about the coming season and Knighta (Matthew Knights) has told me he expects Hille and myself to spend a fair bit of time on the ground by sharing the ruck work and spending some time up forward,"" he said.
 
""Hille and I have been doing a fair bit of work with assitant coach, Scott Camporeale, and the midfielders to get things right and Campo has told us about our roles and how important it will be this year.
 
""You expect to improve every year and I want to have a good year. I'd like to think I have improved but we won't know until 3-4 weeks with a few games under my belt.
 
""This Saturday's intra-club game will see me and Hille going full on in the ruck for the first time in pre-season so that will be good.""
 
Laycock says he expects Tom Bellchambers to be a good addition to the Essendon ruck stocks despite some pre-season injury setbacks.
 
""He has been abit unlucky with injuries but he is watching, learning and picking up a few things but he hasn't been able to throw his weight around,"" he said.
 
""I have seen some tapes of him and his centre square work and he looks really good. He is a very strong sort of a bloke and should be a good player.""
 
While Laycock is looking forward to a big year on-field, he is expecting an even bigger year off-field with partner, Alison, expecting with the couple's third child.