AFL draft news: NGA prospect Isaac Kako excited to go to Essendon, wants to repay the faith

Highly-touted small forward Isaac Kako is set to don the sash after November’s draft after five years in Essendon’s academy. Changes to NGA rules means he’s likely to end up there.

Essendon Next Generation Academy draft prospect Isaac Kako said it would “mean a lot” if he could play for the Bombers in 2025 following proposed changes to the NGA rules which mean the club can match a bid on the speedster at any point in the draft.

The 18-year-old has been part of Essendon’s academy for more than five years and with the side in urgent need of a talented small forward, he could be the missing piece.

Kako, who has been an Essendon supporter his whole life, was excited about the potential of becoming part of the furniture at The Hangar next year.

“I’ve gone for the Bombers my whole life … they’ve done a lot for me and it would mean a lot if I could play for them,” he said.

“Potentially playing for them is a dream come true in itself, I’ve been around the club since I was 12 or 13.”

Explosive, electric and dynamic are just a few words that have been used to describe Kako who models his game on one of the most watchable players in the league, Richmond star Shai Bolton.

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Isaac Kako will be in red and black next season. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“I like to use my speed and agility to get my teammates involved and make defenders stumble a bit,” he said.

“I feel like at the next level I could really provide a bit of spark when needed in the midfield too.”

The livewire has even drawn comparisons to Hawthorn young gun Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson and some recruiters say he could be even better.

But Kako said he didn’t take any notice of outside noise and was just thankful for the opportunities that he’d been given so far, from both Essendon and his family.

“As a kid you never really think you can get there (to the AFL) but it’s always a dream … to be in the position I am now is such a blessing,” he said.

“My family has been the biggest factor to how far I’ve come in my footy journey.

“It is a big deal for me to make all of these people proud and it pushes me to work harder every day.”

The Calder Cannons vice-captain said being involved with the Essendon NGA Academy had been huge for his development.

“The Academy has been very beneficial to me, being able to use the facilities and resources as a younger player gave me an edge not many other kids had which I’m very grateful for,” he said.

Isaac Kako starred for the Calder Cannons this season. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos.

“I did pre-season with them, it really makes you realise the professionalism of the next level … (and) it showed me how hard I need to work to get there.”

Kako has put together a strong 2024 season impressing with both the Cannons and Vic Metro but he was left out of the AFL Academy.

He kicked 20 goals in 12 games for the Cannons but has proven he can get plenty of the ball up the ground with an average of almost 20 disposals.

The small forward’s best game of the season was the round 8 clash against Gold Coast Suns where he had a massive 29 disposals, 12 inside 50s and three goals.

Kako also kicked eight goals throughout the Under-18 Championships which included a sensational three-goal performance in the decider as his team won by a point after the siren.

If picked by the Bombers, Kako said he looked forward to the possibility of reuniting and sharing the forward line with a close mate of his, Nate Caddy.

“We were sort of a dynamic duo back at Parade College, it was always good playing with him,” he said.

Kako has the ability to turn a game on its head in a matter of seconds and is a player that Essendon fans should be excited about.

Originally published as AFL draft news: NGA prospect Isaac Kako excited to go to Essendon, wants to repay the faith