Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton has revealed the playing group is relishing the energy of senior coach Mark Thompson.

Speaking at this morning’s open training session, Stanton praised the way Thompson was leading the playing group ahead of the 2014 campaign.

“He’s certainly alive and ready to go,” Stanton said.

“Bomber is very passionate about the way he wants his players to play the game... It’s fantastic to have him out there.”

Stanton said the list was enjoying his revitalisation and the experience of the two-time premiership coach, who will lead the Bombers throughout the 2014 season during James Hird’s suspension.

“Bomber is very energetic and you can’t really help but feel the same energy off him,” Stanton said.

"He is always been in around and helping the young players but being that person who is probably the most vocal on the track has changed a little bit and that is just the role he has gone into.

 "I think he is very excited about where the group is going and to be able to teach again in terms of the whole group rather than the one on one teaching he has been doing for a couple of years."

Stanton also credited the club’s new Head of Coaching Development and Strategy Neil Craig, who is working closely with the midfielder to further develop his leadership abilities.

“You try to get to know people as quick as you can when they get to the football club, and I’ve spent a bit of time with Neil already,” Stanton said.

“I’ve been working with him doing some leadership things and you can already tell he has the experience.

“The most information we can get out of him as possible I think is going to benefit the whole playing group.”

The Bombers will break on Saturday ahead of Christmas, before returning to the club on January 6.

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