AFTER a season in which Essendon's Jackson Merrett struggled to nail down a spot in a depleted senior team, the 23-year-old looks likely to move to defence.
Merrett was dropped after three rounds last year for the first of two stints at VFL level, as younger brother Zach starred on the way to a best-and-fairest season.
While he finished 2016 by playing the last four matches in the AFL, becoming a backman could be what the Bomber needs to become a consistent contributor.
He has played 54 matches since making his debut late in the 2012 season, mainly as a forward and occasional midfielder.
"It's a fresh start. I'm still learning positioning and the structures down back but I've really enjoyed it so far," Merrett told essendonfc.com.au.
He has spent time in the backline during match simulation, with Martin Gleeson and Matt Dea helping Merrett adapt to the new role.
"Their voice and instruction has been really good in setting me up," Merrett said.
He is contracted until the end of 2017.
