ESSENDON veteran David Myers dropped himself from the Bombers' line-up three weeks ago in a bid to promote some of the club's younger midfield talents.

AFL.com.au understands the 29-year-old spoke with coach John Worsfold after Essendon's last-gasp loss to Sydney in round eight and offered to head back to the VFL as he battled a form slump. 

The selfless move is understood to have surprised some at the club, but Myers, who is a member of Essendon's leadership group, was keen to see its younger brigade of players get more opportunities in the midfield.

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Since then, Myers has been in brilliant form at VFL level, averaging 27 disposals and two goals in the past three weeks.

He has also impressed with his leadership and approach with more inexperienced teammates while playing at state level. It is unclear when Myers will put his hand back up for senior selection. 

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He is out of contract at the end of this year, with his future uncertain beyond 2019.

Myers said after last week's game that it was important to see the progress of the Bombers, who are early in their careers.

"My role back here is to help these young guys and teach them how to play. I'm really enjoying watching their development," Myers told Channel Seven. 

"[I'm] at a later stage of my career, I'm nearly at the end, and it really gives me a sense of enjoyment to watch them come along. They're helping me a lot and I'm really enjoying it."

Myers has played six games this season, but had struggled for impact, passing the 20-possession mark only once.

In the two games before he approached the club about stepping back to the VFL, he picked up 14 disposals against Collingwood on Anzac Day and had 11 disposals against the Swans, including his long after-the-siren shot to win the game for the Bombers that didn't make the distance.

Since Myers' omission, teammate Darcy Parish has averaged increased time in the Bombers' midfield rotation, while the likes of Andrew McGrath, Dylan Clarke and Matt Guelfi have also held prominent roles. 

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Myers has played 122 games for the Bombers since being a top-10 pick in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, with injury issues limiting him to an average of 11 games a year.

He also sat out the 2016 season after being one of the 34 past and present Bombers handed WADA-imposed season-long bans. 

Last season, Myers was named the Bombers' most improved player after a consistent campaign that saw him average 20 disposals and nearly five clearances a game.