The Bombers have a promising batch of NGA/FS kids coming through the club in the next 3 years. Watch the video below to find out about more about them!
Hussien El Achkar (2025)
Adam Sweid (2025)
Blake Justice (2026)
Koby Bewick (2027)
Tevita Rodan (2027)
youtu.be/AkqqrN7FZm0
Stats from our NGA Calder Cannons today.
Adam Sweid (2025)
23 disp
1.2 goals
4 tackles
4 inside 50s
Hussien El Achkar (2025)
13 disp
1.1 goals
4 inside 50s
Blake Justice (2026)
24 disp
4 marks
Jad Naim (2026)
12 disp
4 rebound 50s
VFL FULL TIME
ESS 60
FRA 66
The Dolphins hold on in a thriller, terrific fightback from the slow-starting Dons.
McMahon (5 goals) and Tsatas (37 disp) were prolific in the last quarter, along with VFL defender Will Hoare.
Potentially some MRO trouble for Archer Day-Wicks.
VFL 3QTR TIME
ESS 48
FRA 61
Really great game of footy, right in it still.
McMahon has 3 goals, Tsatas 31 touches, Shiel 25.
Late bump from Day-Wicks put some feeling in the game.
VFL HALF TIME
ESS 34
FRA 42
Great quarter, awesome pressure around the ball led in part by Jye Menzie who has been a work horse.
Liam McMahon looked set for a stinker of a night after a set shot blunder, but he responded well after, kicking 2 goals.
Tsatas has 22 touches.
VFL QTR TIME
ESS 0
FRA 29
Ball living in our defensive half, Frankston leading the inside 50 count 22-2
Tsatas and Shiel have 8 disposals each, need to show more when defending.
Archer Day-Wicks getting plenty of midfield time, he had 2 clearances in the quarter.
Yep! Not an amazing ball user but he’s reliable.
DRAFT WATCH 👀
Harley Barker
187cm
Wing
SA
The Bombers need more two way runners, and this guy is one of the fittest in the draft.
Works super hard to find space in transition, and does serious damage going forward.
Great competitor, gives off X Duursma vibes.
It is impossible to see Essendon being active in the off-season without trading away some contracted players.
Who do we think is on the trade table this year?
VFL 3QTR TIME
ESS 70
CAS 68
Kayle Gerreyn done for the night, looks like a shoulder injury.
Lachie Monteath lighting it up on debut, where did this kid come from?!?
McMahon and Shiel right in the frame to return to the AFL side the way they are playing.
Injury concern with Kayle Gerreyn in the VFL. Looks in some discomfort with his shoulder.
VFL HALF TIME
ESS 37
CAS 49
Was looking ugly for a second there, but the Bombers fight back!
McMahon has 3 goals at half time, he has to be in line for an AFL debut soon you would think.
Tsatas and Shiel have 33 touches between them.
Menzie having a proper crack.
VFL QTR TIME
ESS 9
CAS 32
Fast start for the Bombers, but the Demons really got to work and piled on scoreboard pressure.
Shiel, Tsatas and Hobbs all playing heavy midfield minutes, 5 clearances between them.
Liam McMahon getting early looks at the sticks, 1 goal, 1 behind.
Gotta shout out my boy Jaxon Prior for a really solid first half on Patrick Dangerfield.
Danger has 5 touches, 1 behind.
Prior has 17 touches at 82%, he is also leading the game for interceptions with 5.
DRAFT WATCH 👀
Josh Lindsay
183 cm
Def/Mid
Vic Country
Lovely ball user, great left foot kick.
Composed and measured, doesn’t make many wrong decisions.
Big game player, shows up when needed.
In my opinion he is a top 5 talent in this draft crop.
Bombers interested in Miles Bergman 👀
According to @CalTwomey, Essendon are one of at least five Victorian clubs in the hunt for Port defender Miles Bergman.
The 23 year old is out of contract, but a trade is required to lure him back to his home state.
We are halfway through the season and there’s a real battle for the EE Player of the Year Award.
Votes are entered after every match review!
1 N Martin (26)
2 Z Merrett (23)
3 X Duursma (15)
3 S Durham (15)
5 J Caldwell (14)
6 Z Reid (13)
7 P Wright (10)
8 A McGrath (9)
Is Zak Johnson a chance for a rising star nomination this week? ⭐️
18 disp (83%)
374 metres gained
5 marks
7 interceptions
Some other notable performances
Luke Trainor v SYD
Kane McAuliffe v SYD
Nick Madden v PA
Finn O’Sullivan v WCE
Tyrell Dewar v NM
Koby Bewick’s first half in the U16 Metro v Country game has been HUGE
3 goals, 13 disposals 🔥
He is constantly working up the ground from the midfield, making himself a scoring threat inside 50.
Tevita Rodan has done some nice things too!
Is this for the lack of a HIA assessment? I didn’t quite catch this side of the story at the game.
Koby Bewick is looking pretty damn good for Vic Metro’s U16s team right now. Has already kicked a couple of goals, doing plenty.
You can watch the game live on YouTube!
Plenty of positive signs!
I’m surprised that some Essendon fans are defending Durham’s bump. To me, that is exactly what we want cut out of the game, and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t suspended.
Still love the bloke, just think he was a bit reckless.❤️🖤
Saw plenty to like from Johnson and Day-Wicks tonight, there is a lot to work with there.
Also shoutout to Luamon Lual who gave it a proper crack, wouldn’t mind seeing more of him at AFL level.
I’ve rocked up to the game late, but it only took me 5 minutes to fall in love with Archer May ❤️🖤
Love the way he goes about it, great pickup in my eyes.
Tune in at 11:30 to see Dyl and I watch some quality Champs footy.
Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid are both playing!
www.youtube.com/live/o2iVUDL...
Mid-Season recruits Liam McMahon and Oskar Smartt will play with our VFL team tomorrow!
May and Blakiston had a longer journey from WA, so we’ll see them unveiled next week.
We will also get a good look at NGA prospect Hussien El Achkar, he’s making his VFL debut with the Dons.
Isaac Kako, Angus Clarke, Archer Day-Wicks and Zak Johnson all selected in the lineup for tomorrow nights game!
It’s early but the 2024 draft haul might be a goodie 🤩
Hussien El Achkar will make his VFL debut this week for Essendon!
Mid-season draft watch 👀
Harry Ramm is a name that keeps popping up as we approach the MSD.
He is a tall defender who is well known for his versatility and fitness, he ran a 6:26 in a 2k trial last year.
He is still only 18, but has played regular SANFL footy in 2025.