TOM BELLCHAMBERS' enforced time out of football in 2016 has the Essendon ruckman believing he can play on for another four years as he enjoys his most consistent season spearheading the Bombers' midfield.

Bellchambers this week signed a new two-year contract with the Bombers, tying him to the club until the end of 2020, when he will be 31.

But after missing 2016 as one of the 34 past and present Essendon players hit with anti-doping bans, and having played just 18 games in the two seasons previous to that, Bellchambers says he heads into the latter stage of his career feeling fresh.

"I definitely don't want to say I'm done after these next two years. At the moment my body feels really, really good, and if I can continue to perform then I can't see why I can't play for another one-to-two years after this contract's done," he told AFL.com.au.

"I only ticked off my 100th game five weeks ago so although I've been around the football club for 11 years, I haven't actually played 200 games like most 11-year players would have. I still feel I've got a lot of footy left in me.

"That year off, as shit as it was, it probably came at the best time possible for me. The way my body was feeling at the time and the way I couldn't string games together, if I had another year of that then who knows, I might not still be in the system now.

"That year off was frustrating and difficult at the time, but it's probably been a God-send for me."

The 28-year-old was an unrestricted free agent before re-signing with the Bombers and in the past has knocked back rival offers to leave the club, including from Greater Western Sydney several years ago.

But, despite the challenges he has been through at Essendon, it is where he wanted to stay.

"It makes me really happy that I can potentially be a one-club player," he said.

"I've been through a lot with the football club over the years and they've really stuck by me so I'm certainly happy. A lot's gone on at the club over that time and I've seen a lot of people come and go, and to be here for another two years is definitely exciting."

Bellchambers is in the rucking form of his career. Arguably the best season he has produced as a Bomber came in 2013, when he kicked 28 goals in 18 games and juggled the ruck role with former Bombers Paddy Ryder and David Hille.

Even when Essendon was struggling at the start of this season, Bellchambers was one of their better performers controlling ruck battles.

"It's been my most consistent year and that comes on the back of continuity. I've managed my body smartly and I've been happy with the consistency I've been able to provide the team," he said.

Injury in last pre-season put Bellchambers behind teammate Matthew Leuenberger in the early stages of last season, but he broke into the team in round 10, when Leuenberger was ill, and has played in 25 of a possible 28 games for the Bombers since then.

Bellchambers says he has learned to better manage his training loads, particularly in the off-season, to ensure he can make the most of his career.

"It's not always about doing the most work. It's about being smart," he said.

"(Former Demon) Mark Jamar is a ruck coach at the club now and he's been really driving me to get the most out of my career and play as long as I can. That's definitely helped my season as well."

Bellchambers made his debut in 2008 and can't remember a time in his career there has been so many dominant ruckman in the competition. He raised Melbourne's Max Gawn, Collingwood star Brodie Grundy and West Coast big man Nic Naitanui as the premier rucks, having last week battled Naitanui.

Bellchambers' effort was central to Essendon's surprise win – their fourth victory in five weeks to keep alive their faint finals hopes. He went into the contest trying to be combative, however was cited and fined by the Match Review Officer for striking Naitanui.

"I needed to be physical and aggressive and try to create a contest and give my midfielders a chance. It was pleasing to be able to do that," he said.