AFL 2024: Brad Scott thrilled with Essendon third-gamer Nate Caddy
Essendon coach Brad Scott says the breakout performance of a top-10 pick has given the Bombers “the best problem to have”.
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Essendon coach Brad Scott has hailed third-gamer Nate Caddy as a “point of difference” after he helped reignite the Bombers’ season with a 12-point win over Collingwood.
Caddy had 12 disposals, a goal and eight score involvements and was among the Bombers’ most influential players as they surged back into the game after giving away an early four-goal deficit.
His inclusion came at the expense of veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein, and while Scott was not “absolutely final” on the structure of the Bombers side, he said the No. 10 pick would be difficult to leave out again.
“It’s hard not to get too excited about (Caddy). He is a point of a difference – it’s very rare that you see a first-year key forward who can have an impact on a game like he can,” Scott said.
“We saw it in pre-season. He’s a very, very exciting player and a really important part of what we’re doing.
“We thought there were a lot of good things for us tonight structurally that worked … are we absolutely final on what it looks like, I don’t think we are, but that’s a great position to be him.”
Scott said the 18-year-old tall, who made his debut in the Dreamtime game, was built to play in big games and had lifted in front of more than 80,000 at the MCG on Friday night.
“He’s just one of those players that has an intangible, I think, but he wants the moment. The bigger the stage, the better he performs,” he said.
“He just gives great effort, he doesn’t get overawed, he rises to the occasion. That was why we were so keen to draft him.
“We’ve been very keen to get Caddy in … we’ve managed him I think pretty well. He looked like one of the most athletic players on the ground tonight.
“They’re problems, they’re structural challenges, but they’re the best (problems).”
Scott said he was thrilled for veteran midfielder Dylan Shiel after he delivered a phenomenal second-half performance in his first full AFL game since round 9 last year.
The powerful left-footer racked up 19 disposals and five clearances after halftime to help the Bombers maintain momentum after captain Zach Merrett was kept to two touches in the final term.
“I’m not sure I’ve made him earn it – I’ve been really conservative with him to get Dylan Shiel back to his best and to what we know he’s capable of,” Scott said.
“It’s been a really long road for him in terms of his recovery. The Dylan Shiel attributes were there on show tonight, I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Scott said his side “hadn’t proved anything” with its performance but acknowledged the win might change the external view of Essendon as a genuinely strong side.
“Collingwood got off to a good start and we were able to regain our composure. We talked about that last week, not being able to regain control of the game when we felt like we had control at different stages,” Scott said.
“Collingwood have been an exceptional team over a long period of time, reigning premiers, and I think that’s a pretty good yardstick in terms of the improvement of our team.
“But have we proven anything? I wouldn’t think so, we’ve just taken another step towards it.”
Originally published as AFL 2024: Brad Scott thrilled with Essendon third-gamer Nate Caddy
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