Justin Leppitsch has been impressed by what he has seen from Essendon so far in 2021.
The Bombers have exceeded most expectations of them this year, sitting 10th on the ladder with a 6-7 record, but with a game style that pleases.
Under Ben Rutten, the Dons have the second most prolific attack at more than 93 points per game which has come courtesy of several changes.
Brisbane Lions triple premiership player and former Richmond premiership assistant coach Leppitsch has identified the elements that have the Bombers in a stronger position than many would have expected.
Leppitsch points to the youthful Dons in Harrison Jones, Archie Perkins, Sam Draper and Nik Cox, who are developing nicely, the more consistent contributions of Jake Stringer and the form of Nick Hind, who has been a great value trade.
“What they’ve done is we’re seeing a few more names pop off the screen this year which I think is what all supporters want,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.
“They want to see a game style change but they also want to see new talent.
“Jones, Perkins, Draper, Cox, and then the improvement in Stringer, which is visual, and then the bringing in of Hind.
“What we’ve got is, we’ve made a player that has been inconsistent better - tick.
“We’ve got four young kids that have come in and make us look better - tick.
“And we’ve got a ‘moneyball’ recruit that has come in that we’ve found a way to be better from the previous place he was at.
“Every part of your footy club gets a big tick all the way through.
“That’s one thing Essendon supporters can walk away going, ‘We’ve actually not just got a good coach, we’ve got good fitness staff, we’ve got players that mentally seem to be in a good space and our recruiting is really sharp as well’.
“(List manager) Adrian Dodoro has just brought himself another eight years. He was under pressure for a while there but he’s back now.
“He can sit back and enjoy it.”
Stringer played one of the very best games of his career in the 13-point win over Hawthorn last weekend, amassing 29 disposals and kicking four goals.
Asked how he would get more out of Stringer more often, Leppitsch believes Rutten and the coaching staff are going about it in the perfect manner.
“I think they’re doing that now,” he added.
“They’re playing him in a way that suits him. They’re giving enough midfield minutes not to blow him up and then using his strengths going forward.
“Then what happens, when someone puts you in a position which plays to your strengths, funnily enough you starting enjoying your job and enjoying football a bit more.
“You’re doing something that is easier for you in a lot of ways and suits what you do.”
He also singled out Jayden Laverde who has flourished in a defensive role this year.
“Ben Rutten and Blake Caracella have done a really good job at putting players in positions that suit them,” he said further.
“Even as far as Laverde going back. He looks like a much better player, more solid, and they’ve found a position that suited him.
“I think they’ve done a lot of good things in that space.”
The Bombers will look to put these three big ticks into play when they face a massive test on Saturday night against top-of-the-table Melbourne at the MCG.