SHAUN McKernan says he's ready to compete with fellow Essendon big men Tom Bellchambers and Matthew Leuenberger for a round one berth after being promoted to the Bombers' senior list.

McKernan, 25, has signed a one-year contract extension after spending much of his first season at the club as a rookie.

He broke through for elevation in June and played nine games in 2015, with Bellchambers sidelined with a foot injury.

Next year he'll also have Brisbane Lions' recruit Leuenberger to compete with but won't have to wait for a senior-listed player to suffer a long-term injury in order to play.

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"I really enjoyed my first season of footy at Essendon, so to secure a new deal and be elevated onto the senior list is obviously extremely exciting for me," McKernan said.

"I have full confidence in my teammates and our ambition to improve and be more competitive in 2016. We're looking forward to playing under Woosha and we want to reward our fans for sticking by us.

"With Tom Bellchambers, and now Matthew Leuenberger coming on board, there's some great talent and experience amongst our ruck group.

"There'll obviously be competition for spots in the lead up to round one, so I can't wait to get stuck into pre-season."

Recruited from Adelaide after 34 games for the Crows, McKernan stood out in Essendon's round 21 loss to Gold Coast this year when he booted three goals.

"Shaun was our first rookie selection last year, he had an outstanding start to the season in the VFL, before earning his spot in the senior side," list manager Adrian Dodoro said.

"Shaun's competitive nature is his strength – despite giving away a significant height advantage, he only stands at 196 centimetres, his second efforts ensured our midfield still got first use of the football.

"Shaun is a terrific young man, and his promotion to the senior list is just reward for a player whose career was at the crossroads 12 months ago."