Essendon coach John Worsfold says exciting young defender Aaron Francis is now right in the mix for senior selection.

Francis returned from personal leave earlier this year and has been impressively building up his fitness and form in the VFL this season to stake a claim for his first AFL match since round seven last year.

“Aaron’s getting to that point now where his match-hardened fitness is just about at the required level and his form’s looking pretty solid,” Worsfold said on Thursday.

“Definitely his name is now talked about what role he could possibly play for us and if he’s ready for that role.”

It isn’t yet clear whether or not Francis will be selected in the Bombers’ squad to take on Brisbane at The Gabba on Sunday and Worsfold emphasised that the 20-year-old’s mental health, not his football, has always been the club’s first priority.

“Ultimately, our first aim was that we just want to see a happy young man regardless of footy and we’ve been seeing that, so that’s been great,” he said.

“But he’s also a talented young footballer and he does love playing footy, so that was the next part of it; getting back where he’s playing good footy.

“So we’re really pleased with how all that’s unfolded.”

The Bombers were made to pay for poor efficiency against Richmond at Dreamtime at the ‘G last week, but Worsfold said there were still many positives to take out of the heavy loss.

“Last week’s loss was one of those games where we were just off, just off, against a really good team that punished us.

“We got the ball forward enough, most of the numbers were pretty even, our stoppage work numbers were good, but we just didn’t do a lot of things at the level that we know we can.

“Suffice to say we got the ball inside our inside-50 53 times and kicked six goals, so that’s been addressed.”

Worsfold is expecting a fiery reception from the Lions as both sides look to bounce back on Sunday.

“They’re going to bring plenty of heat, plenty of pressure…so we know Brisbane will come out and take the game up to us, which we’re looking forward to.”