When Patrick Ambrose joined Essendon through the rookie draft at the start of this season he was expected to add depth to the line up as a bigger body if called upon.

Seventeen rounds into the season the 22-year-old has become an important asset to the club’s forward line set up.

Ambrose has kicked nine goals from his first 11 matches at AFL level this season but more importantly is the third most effective tackling forward in the side with 39 tackles behind only Paul Chapman (53) and Zach Merrett (47).

It has been a long road into the AFL system for Ambrose who firstly impressed in the VAFA for Old Xaverians before finding his way onto Essendon’s VFL list and eventually being drafted as a mature aged recruit.

He understands his place in the side and understands the importance of his defensive pressured inside forward 50.

“I know that is part of my role up there to put on those tackles and chases,” Ambrose said.

“Zach Merrett is obviously great at it and the bigger blokes are starting to chip in as well.”

“I think when the ball movement is fluent like it was on the weekend it makes it easier as a forward.”

“We worked well in terms of coming off our opponents and blocking for each other so that helps.”

Ambrose has worked alongside Zach Merrett, Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle to form a lethal forward line over the last few weeks.

One of the fittest and strongest players on the club’s list Ambrose is continuing to impress his teammates and coaches alike.

“He is one of our strongest players, one of our fittest players and he has a terrific work ethic to work hard for his teammates,” Assistant coach Nathan Bassett said.

“He is one of those guys who you would love to play with as he is always putting the block on for you or chasing people down.”

“I think his offence has started to improve a bit over the last four or five weeks where he is starting to take more marks and kick a few goals.”

Bassett can see a strong future for Ambrose in the red and black as he continues to develop the offensive side of his game.

“He is a terrific person to work with, the players love playing with him and he is getting a little bit better each week,” he said.

“He is a really important role player for us at the moment and I think as he develops he can get a little bit better then that.”

Ambrose said he was continuing to develop his body to be able to cope with the rigours of AFL football.

“It takes a few days to recover and I broke down after that Round 2 match against Hawthorn but I think I am getting used to it now.”

“I am starting to work out what I need to do to get up for each week’s game so that is a positive.”