Essendon coach Brad Scott is still working out his strongest line-up and where best to use certain players, according to David King.
The Bombers were impressive at stages during the Anzac Day draw with Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday, but there were some facets of their game which let them down.
One of the biggest positives was the performance of Nic Martin who had 30 disposals and kicked a nice goal, with his ball use forward of centre a standout.
King believes Martin, who has been prolific across half-back in 2024, would be of higher impact for Scott and the Bombers if he were used in a more advanced role further up the field.
“It's almost like he (Scott) is still trying to move a few magnets around to try and explore what guys can be,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“The move of Martin to half-forward rolling up as an extra midfielder in the last quarter was significant.
“I thought he was outstanding and it makes me think is he actually a centre-forward player?”
King’s co-host Kane Cornes is firmly of the belief that players who have the ability to find targets in dangerous areas should be moved from half-back to a midfield-forward role.
He points to the discussion surrounding North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel and to a lesser extent Collingwood star Nick Daicos – two players who blitz at half-back but could be (in Sheezel’s case) and have been (in Daicos’ case) more damaging elsewhere.
“Of course he is (a centre-forward player),” Cornes said.
“He kicked 19 goals from the wing last year.”
King added: “But I mean more forward.”
Cornes continued: “So that is where I want the best ball users getting the football – in the front.
“Honestly, I’m so sick of the half-backs, anyone can go to half-back. Give me the most high impact, damage players centre-forward.
“It's like the discussion around Sheezel, the discussion around Daicos. I want Daicos touching the ball in the front half, not the back.
“Martin was terrific. I think we've become obsessed with trying to create running half-backs.
“Give me (Nasiah) Wanganeen-Milera touching the footy in the front half, not kicking it out from full-back.”
As is always the case, if you move someone into a new role, you have to fill the role that he departed.
King says putting Martin into a more attacking position will unlock the key to Mason Redman and his dash and dare out of defence.
“If Martin can become a centre-forward player, they need to do something to get Mason Redman up and going,” King added.
“They've lost a bit of his dash by investing in Martin.
“(Dyson) Heppell's going really well, I'm glad he's coming on later because I thought he was gone 18 months ago and he's just a complete competitor, isn't he? He's a warrior.
“Mason Redman for me is the one missing piece in this puzzle.”
Redman has still been solid in 2024, averaging 20 disposals and 5.8 rebounds 50s, but his impact is down slightly according to King.
One Dons player getting plenty of the ball in the forward half of the ground is Jade Gresham.
The former Saint had 16 disposals and eight score involvements against the Magpies and has been getting better and better under Scott.
King asked: “Who do you reckon had the most disposals in the forward half yesterday for either team?
“Jade Gresham had 15 touches in the forward half, playing as that high forward, coming up to the back of stoppage. I thought he was really clever.
“I think that Brad's working out how to use him.”
The Dons may look to move Martin up the field when they’re next in action against West Coast in Perth on Saturday night in Round 7.
They currently own a 4-1-2 record and sit sixth on the ladder.
