Essendon have been left impressed by veteran midfielder Dylan Shiel's switch to the backline, with the Bombers seeing the alteration as a potential "win-win" outcome.
Shiel, who has dealt with form and injury issues over the past couple of seasons, has been training at half-back this pre-season in the hopes of securing his spot in Brad Scott's side for 2025.
A less contested game could also help the 31-year-old, given his history of injuries, while a move out of the engine room will make space for the club's younger midfielders, Elijah Tsatas and Ben Hobbs.
Shiel, who has "really embraced" the new role, has been a positive in the Bombers' pre-season, which continued on Saturday in the team's practice match win over the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval.
Speaking on Shiel's first hitout in the role against an opposing side, Essendon assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa said the ex-Giant showed the needed signs to be a valuable defensive asset.
"You see what you've got on your list, playing Dyl in a different position gives (emerging midfielders) opportunity. You're looking for win-wins everywhere. He's really embraced it," Giansiracusa said of Shiel's positional shift.
"He's been impressive. You never know when you move a guy to a different position what they're going to do. When you play against yourselves (in the pre-season) you never know how that is going to go.
"He read the play really well and was playing on some dangerous forwards from the opposition, he looked good in the one-on-one contests he was in.
"If he can do what he needs to do there, as well as what he can do in the midfield, and stay healthy, it gives us flexibility.
"The chemistry will continue to build with those guys and it means the opposition will have to worry about someone else in a different position. What that does for us is a real positive."
Giansiracusa was also impressed by the efforts of young backmen Zach Reid and Lewis Hayes against the Bulldogs' strong forward line in the absence of Jordan Ridley and Ben McKay.
The Bombers should have a stronger defensive unit in their next pre-season clash against Geelong, scheduled for Tuesday, February 25.
Ridley and McKay, as well as gun onballer Sam Durham, were among a contingent of absent Essendon players who trained on Saturday morning and are expected to suit up against the Cats.
"They're tracking well to play and get a full hitout against the Cats," Giansiracusa said.
"Those guys are coming along well."
The Bombers will venture to Queensland for an Opening Round clash against Gold Coast in early March to start their home and away season.
