Mark Bolton won the Most Improved player award at last year's Crichton Medal. The award capped off a great year for the 24-year-old - clearly his best season at the club in his five years at Windy Hill. 2002 saw Bolton become a regular in the senior line-up and a popular team member amongst Essendon supporters. However, the 24-year-old has not been able to showcase his on-field talents in the 2003 season yet due to a three-week suspension incurred in the final against Port Adelaide at the end of last season.

Bolton booked a date at the AFL Tribunal after being reported for unduly rough play in the semi final. The three-match suspension has meant that Bolton has been sidelined for the first three matches this season and he has found it pretty tough being a spectator. ""It has been fairly frustrating. The first week wasn't too bad because the boys were up in Brisbane and I wasn't really involved all that much. The last two games at the MCG really hurt - watching the preparations and the build up to the game. It has been tough,"" Bolton said.

Bolton has tasted onfield action this season in the Bombers' practice matches but since Round 1 has been restricted to match simulation session to maintain his match fitness. Bolton hopes to play a full game on Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs and isn’t concerned about his lack of match practice. ""I have been training enough. I am interested to see where I am at fitness wise but I am not worried. There is no excuses not to train hard. It is not like I was missing games through injury,"" the former Eastern U-18 player said.

Bolton played the majority of last season in defence and is content to slot in anywhere this season. He said the expectations from Essendon supporters are a little higher than previous seasons, however he doesn't feel an extra pressure to perform. ""There is not much that I can do about people's expectations being higher. I just want to get out there and play and prove a few things to myself.""