TEENAGER Tom Bellchambers is set to play a larger role supporting David Hille in the ruck for Essendon in 2009.

Bellchambers, 19, was recruited from the Tassie Mariners and played three games in a promising debut season last year.

But Hille hinted his progress could be hastened this year as a back-up alongside Jason Laycock who is recovering from a foot injury.

Hille has played a varied role, alternating between the ruck and the forward line during the pre-season.

And he is expecting plenty of support from Bellchambers this year.

"I would have thought Tom is going to play his fair share of football this year and obviously with the progression of Jason those two will come in and out of the team for the rest of the season," Hille said.

"Tommy has had a fantastic pre-season and that's certainly going to go a long way towards helping him this year.

"He's still only very young so we've got to give him the time to develop."

Laycock will have a delayed start, possibly along with Mark McVeigh (ankle) and injury-plagued young key-position player Scott Gumbleton (back), but Hille is confident he will play a solid part of the season.

"I would expect him to," he said.

"He's got to get his body right as the coach has said but he's a fantastically talented player and he will certainly help us no doubt at some stage throughout the year."

Hille had no objection to playing as a forward in bursts but his preference was to spend most of his time on the ball.

"I don't really have a problem with doing that. I enjoy it, it's good for our rotations and I'm happy to do that.

"But obviously my role is to play in the ruck for this team and we have got a tall forward line this year so I may even spend a little less time down there," he said.

Hille was hopeful McVeigh could line up in the opening round against Port Adelaide despite injury concerns.

"He's not training yet so it's going to depend on how much training he gets in before round one," he said.

"I would have thought that if he trained next week then he'd be a chance but we'll have to wait and see."

Although the Bombers have several fitness concerns, it is nowhere near the carnage of 2008 when they were decimated by injuries.

"Compared to last year we're not doing too badly but having said that it's not ideal in our preparation," Hille said.

"We're not that far away, with Mark coming back soon and even if Scott can get up for round one that would be great."

Tom Bellchambers is rated a $176,000 ruckman in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009