EMERGING Essendon defender Mason Redman says he wants to stay at the club after breaking into the Bombers' backline.
Redman is among a number of young Essendon players out of contract at the end of this season, and is piecing together the best year of his career.
The half-back, drafted from South Australia in 2015, has played the past nine games for the Bombers after breaking into the side in round four.
Mason Redman flies for a mark over Jack Gunston. Picture: AFL Photos
Discussions are understood to have begun on what is likely to be a two-year extension for Redman, and he said he wants to be at Essendon long-term.
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"I'm not really thinking about it. I'm just concentrating on playing good footy. My manager Ben Williams will look after it with [list manager] Adrian (Dodoro) and I think if I keep playing good footy it will sort itself out," Redman told AFL.com.au.
"I obviously really want to stay at the club. They've invested four years into me and I haven't necessarily played too many games and this is where I want to stay.
"I love the club, love the boys and I think we're really building towards something special at the club."
The 21-year-old has only played 14 games since joining Essendon, but has had an injury-affected time at the club, including a serious ankle issue last year.
He also suffered another ankle setback at the start of last pre-season that halted his summer.
But this season he has appeared far more assured in defence, using his marking ability and excellent kicking to be a rebounding backman. He has averaged 15 disposals.
"The boys have been really supportive of me," he said.
"I played only two games last year before doing my ankle but they were good and they gave me a lot of belief that I could come back and play good footy and I belonged at the level."
Redman, along with fellow dashing defenders Adam Saad and Conor McKenna, is given a licence to take on the game and set up Essendon from the back half.
He said his time on the sidelines with injuries had helped him develop his all-round game
"It's taught me to work really hard for my spot. There's been guys injured along the way with me, so you learn from them too," he said.
"Starting to getting games under my belt has helped, and the team's leadership as well. It's really making me feel settled at this level."
Top-10 picks Darcy Parish and Aaron Francis, also drafted to the Bombers with Redman in 2015, remain out of contract, while fellow youngster Matt Guelfi is another senior regular unsigned beyond this year.
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