VETERAN Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher credits the Bombers' midfield with the club's rise to be a top-four contender this season.

"The ability of the midfielders to win the hard ball and the contested footy is fantastic," Fletcher said.

"The way they work back to help — they don't just attack, attack, attack — they've got the sense to work back and that's been the big turnaround in the last 12 to 18 months."

Fletcher jokingly said on SEN's Morning Glory program that, as a backman, he hopes the Bombers hierarchy leaves Jake Carlisle in defence rather than put him up forward to cover for the loss of Stewart Crameri through suspension.

Crameri has accepted a two-match ban for rough conduct on Western Bulldogs defender Dylan Addison during the Bombers' victory over the Western Bulldogs at the weekend.

Fletcher said injury-blighted key forward Scott Gumbleton was a chance to be called up to replace Crameri.

Gumbleton has played only 22 games since making his debut in 2007, and none since 2010.

He's been playing with the Bombers' VFL affiliate, Bendigo Gold, since mid-May.

"He's a good fit," Fletcher said of Gumbleton.