Stanton, who started his 2011 campaign with 30 possessions and two goals against the Western Bulldogs last week, said the improvement brought by many young Essendon midfielders - including Jake Melksham, Ben Howlett, Leroy Jetta and Dyson Heppell - has given the side more running options.
“The depth through the midfield is good to have, and over the pre-season everyone has picked up their fitness and there’s a lot of guys really pushing for spots in the midfield,” Stanton told afl.com.au.
“It’s a good thing because with the game going forward, more people are going to have to spend more time through the midfield.”
“I try and work closely with the young guys who are in the team or are on the fringe, and Jake is improving and even Ben Howlett has been going well and it’s only his second year of AFL footy,” Stanton said.
“Stewart Crameri has a good engine and could possibly go into the midfield at some stage so we’ve got to reinforce to those guys that playing your role is the way we want go about our football.”
“If I can keep doing my job as with Jobe (Watson) and Mark McVeigh, it will spread the load throughout the team. That’s one way we can be very competitive with the rest of the competition.”
Stanton also said while the loss of lead-up forward Angus Monfries for the Swans’ game through soreness was disappointing, there was an expectation Monfries’ replacement would play the same role for the team.
“He’s (Monfries) an important player for the team but the focus over the summer has been that every player has to play his role. The people coming into the side have to fill that role and do the best they can, and hopefully that’s what happens against the Swans this week,” Stanton said.
Stanton, a close friend of 20-year-old teammate Michael Hurley, said the key position player had benefited from settling into a role in attack.
“I think it’s settled him, but I don’t think he minds which end he plays at as long as he’s getting a game,” Stanton said.
“It’s only his third year of football and he’s one of a lot of our guys in their second or third year of football who is improving a fair bit.
He’s building towards some confidence and the coaching group are knuckling out the areas he needs to improve on. The support around him has been fantastic and I have no doubt he will keep on improving,” he said.
