Essendon midfielder Dyson Heppell has welcomed the prospect of big man Tom Bellchambers returning to the team for Friday afternoon's ANZAC Day clash against Collingwood.

Bellchambers played against Bendigo in the VFL on Friday afternoon in his first match back from ankle surgery during the pre-season.

The 202cm ruckman played the majority of the game moving well across the ground and providing a key target up forward.

With young pair Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle failing to impact the scoreboard against St Kilda the prospect of a return to the senior team for Bellchambers is looking more likely.

“I think it would be really handy getting Tommy back,” Heppell said.

“Paddy is obviously really dangerous up forward as is Tom so with those two pinch hitting in the ruck and up forward it makes for a dangerous mix.”

Heppell said the playing group had to ensure they were mentally ready for every match following a disappointing showing against the Saints.

“We do have a poor history going into games that we are expecting to win and not getting the job done,” he said.

“I think that is a mental thing, it is to do with your attitude and it is certainly something that we have to fix and fix fast.”

The young Bombers midfielder said despite an up and down start to the season he remained confident the group was heading in the right direction.

“I certainly believe we are (a good team), we have a fantastic mix of a young group and we are starting to get the games into the younger guys.”

“I really think we can push the best teams in the competition and like Bomber said after the game the good teams find a way to win and we weren’t able to do it.”

comments powered by Disqus