Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia says the experienced core on the Club’s list is playing an important leadership role this season.

The Dons acquired ten new players on the eve of the NAB Challenge.  Among them, multiple premiership medals, Grand Final appearances and All-Australian honours.

Fantasia says he’s been able to learn a lot from the group, particularly Geelong premiership pair, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes. 

“Those guys, ‘Stokesy’ and ‘Kel’, they just have so much knowledge,” Fantasia told Bomber Radio.

“They come in, obviously, from such good sides and have played in premierships before, so you just try to pick their brains and get everything you can out of them.

“They’re just leaders.  They’ve been there on the biggest day in September and they know what it’s like. So games we play out there, it’s bread and butter for them.

“Their leadership is second to none.”

Fantasia is one of a number of young players to gain increased exposure at senior level this season.

After missing round one, the South Australian has played every game since.

“Hopefully I can keep it going for the rest of the year,” Fantasia said.

“I had my groin and I missed a lot of pre-season last year, which was sort of really frustrating for me, set me back a couple of months.

“Just the durability of having a full pre-season and a lot of work in the gym has really helped.”

Fantasia will be a key part of a young Bombers outfit fresh from a ten-day break, that will take the field against the Saints on Sunday, 

“It’s been good, it’s been a nice long week. Obviously playing Thursday last week. We’re fresh, recovered and ready to go,” he said.

“It’s been really good for the body, and the mind as well. If you get a six-day preparation it’s pretty short, you don’t train as much and you’re back into games again.

“So it’s good to get a longer week, get more kilometres under the belt and be fresh and ready to go.”