Everyone knew 2002 was a critical season for Mark Bolton - no-one more so than the man himself. The number-four selection in the 1997 National draft, Bolton had played 43 games by the end of last season. Hardly diabolical but a modest return for a man whose talent obviously caught the eye of the Essendon recruiting staff. And with lists getting cut back, clubs have to make hard decisions – Bolton would have come up in conversation.

But after Round 18, his name seems almost certain to be quickly passed over. He is playing the best football of his career and on the weekend against Brisbane he played his best match at senior level. And it was a performance that came in a match where the pressure was enormous. Physically and mentally it was as demanding as AFL football gets and Bolton came through with flying colors.

Bolton had 18 touches – spending much of the night shutting down Brisbane centre half forward Jonathon Brown. Bolton clearly won the battle and his attack off the half-back line provided the Essendon forward line with many opportunities. The 23-year-old also drifted forward to kick a goal during the third quarter.

Essendon assistant coach Mark Harvey said Bolton has undoubtedly grown in confidence in recent weeks. “He genuinely feels like he is a part of the team now and his confidence has grown as a result. With Dustin Fletcher and a couple of others sidelined he has been asked to play some key roles and done the job pretty well,” Harvey said. “He has always been an attacking sort of player but he is getting more of the ball than he has in the past.

“This is an important year for him but it has been a difficult side to break into over the past few seasons. But now he is in and playing well, he is determined to make the most of it. He is in here every day doing extra weight sessions or seeing the physios to make sure his body is right and that is excellent,” Harvey said.“The challenge for Mark now is to ensure he maintains his form and gets even better. He must not forget how hard he has worked to get where he has and how frustrated he was in the seconds. That along with his will to succeed should hold him in good stead.”

But after Round 18, his name seems almost certain to be quickly passed over. He is playing the best football of his career and on the weekend against Brisbane he played his best match at senior level. And it was a performance that came in a match where the pressure was enormous. Physically and mentally it was as demanding as AFL football gets and Bolton came through with flying colors.

Bolton had 18 touches – spending much of the night shutting down Brisbane centre half forward Jonathon Brown. Bolton clearly won the battle and his attack off the half-back line provided the Essendon forward line with many opportunities. The 23-year-old also drifted forward to kick a goal during the third quarter.

Essendon assistant coach Mark Harvey said Bolton has undoubtedly grown in confidence in recent weeks. “He genuinely feels like he is a part of the team now and his confidence has grown as a result. With Dustin Fletcher and a couple of others sidelined he has been asked to play some key roles and done the job pretty well,” Harvey said. “He has always been an attacking sort of player but he is getting more of the ball than he has in the past.

“This is an important year for him but it has been a difficult side to break into over the past few seasons. But now he is in and playing well, he is determined to make the most of it. He is in here every day doing extra weight sessions or seeing the physios to make sure his body is right and that is excellent,” Harvey said.“The challenge for Mark now is to ensure he maintains his form and gets even better. He must not forget how hard he has worked to get where he has and how frustrated he was in the seconds. That along with his will to succeed should hold him in good stead.”