Just three seasons after making his debut, Martin Gleeson has notched the 50 game milestone and looks to have become a regular member of the Essendon defence.

Gleeson has proved a durable commodity throughout his AFL career. 

The 22 year old has played in 44 of the Bombers last 46 matches including 20 in 2016.

Gleeson averaged more than five intercept possessions per game this season to finish third overall in that category at the Club, behind Matt Dea and James Kelly.

In back to back matches late in the season, the Koroit junior notched 23 possessions.   His performance against Geelong also included 14 marks. 

Gleeson improved his output in several key areas this season.

                                          2015               2016

Ave disposals                   13.9                17.7

Disposal efficiency           77.5                80.2

Ave marks                          3.8                   5.3

Ave rebounds                    2.2                   3.5

Ave intercepts                   4.2                   5.4

Earlier this week Gleeson signed a new deal that will keep him at the Club until at least the end of the 2018 season. 

“I’ve really enjoyed my first season under Woosha (John Worsfold) and I’m excited to be continuing my career at Essendon,” Gleeson said.

“The bond amongst the players is really strong, we have made some great progress as a playing group this season, we are demanding elite standards of each other and building a really strong team culture.

“We know we have plenty of hard work ahead of us if we want to compete with the elite sides in the competition, but we also have so much to look forward to in 2017 and this is a team I want to be part of.”