Young Bombers Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy give fans glimmer of hope against Cats

Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy have made an early statement for the Bombers, combining for seven goals in a pre-season win over Geelong.

Footy’s latest dynamic duo has made a stunning pre-season statement, with Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy combining for seven goals to inspire Essendon to an impressive 19-point pre-season win over Geelong.

Kako and Caddy teamed up at Parade College during their school years to cause havoc inside 50.

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On Tuesday night in the opening AAMI Community Series match, the pair gave Bombers fans a glimpse of the chaos they could cause at AFL level in Essendon’s 17.2 (104) to 12.11 (83) victory.

The first-round draftees, who were taken by Essendon within 12 months of each other, helped the Bombers launch a surge in the second-half after Geelong’s own dangerous forward line threatened to help the Cats kick away.

Nate Caddy (left) and Isaac Kako celebrate the victory over Geelong. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Kako booted four goals — he should’ve had a fifth, only for ruck Sam Draper to soccer through a Kako attempt for a goal — while Caddy booted three as an accurate Essendon recorded a 19-point win,.

Draper was brilliant in the ruck and combined well with Nick Bryan, while Elijah Tsatas and Ben Hobbs racked up the footy around stoppages and Nic Martin and Sam Durham set the tone early with classy finishing in front of goal.

For the Cats, Shannon Neale and Jeremy Cameron booted two goals each and combined well together, while Jack Bowes starred as a pure midfielder with 31 touches and 10 clearances.

Essendon fans are set to be “absolutely thrilled” by their young pair’s electric exploits for years to come.

The 18-year-old Kako added 14 disposals and four marks, while his close mate Caddy, 19, needed only four disposals to dob three majors at GMHBA Stadium.

Big moment for Isaac Kako! Kicks a goal in Q1 🔥

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Kako opened his account by snapping Essendon’s fourth goal of the first term halfway through the period and King couldn’t help but admire the No. 13 pick’s abilities.

“He’s been everywhere. He’s covering the ground, he’s excited, he’s involved,” King told the Fox Footy broadcast.

“This is a quality finish – under genuine heat, coming across his leg … It’s exciting here for the Bombers.”

Caddy first appeared to begin the second quarter and it took just one disposal for the blond-haired attacker to turn goalkicker; marking and capitalising with a set shot.

The electric second-year forward booted his second of the evening after drawing a free kick inside 50 against Connor O’Sullivan, joining Nic Martin and Archie Perkins as Essendon’s first-half multiple goalkickers.

HE'S GOT THREE 🔥

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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) February 25, 2025

A third for Caddy in the second half had King singing his praises on the broadcast.

“This man’s workrate, it’s so impressive,” he said.

“All the way up the field to provide an option then correcting back to goal, coming back at the football again … he’s going to be a star.

“He’s probably the brightest shining light that’s entered out at Tullamarine for a little while … his ability to get up and get a contested mark at its earliest point, you pay a lot of money to get a forward like that into your football club.”

Kako kicked his second with a set shot late in the third period, before adding his third with an opportunistic left-foot snap.

The small forward’s fourth of the evening came again in tight confines as he pounced at ground level, where he does most of his best work, crumbing a crashed pack to finish with another snap.

Shannon Neale stood out for the Cats. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Three-time flag-winner Jack Riewoldt added: “I think if you’re an Essendon supporter … they would be absolutely thrilled they are going to be calling those two names (Caddy and Kako) and watching those two players for the next decade for the Essendon Football Club.”

With the Tom Hawkins era firmly in the rearview mirror, all Geelong eyes are on Neale in year five as he joins forces with four-time All-Australian superstar Cameron to spearhead the Cats’ attack.

Neale kicked two goals on Tuesday, joining Cameron and Tyson Stengle as Geelong’s only multiple goalkickers for the evening.

The 22-year-old marked strongly over Essendon’s Ben McKay in the second quarter but missed a straightforward set shot.

Sam Draper (left), Caddy and Kako loom as keys to Essendon in 2025. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

He followed up shortly after with a goal assist to Patrick Dangerfield, before later dispatching Zach Reid to mark an inside-50 entry and kick truly in what were promising signs for Cats fans.

“I think his relationship with Jeremy Cameron is going to be fascinating,” Riewoldt said

The Richmond great also believes Draper’s value to Brad Scott’s side is more immense than any other Bomber and the big ruckman is set to stick around at The Hangar for a long time.

Against the Cats on Tuesday night, Draper kicked a goal from 15 disposals and added two tackles and 25 hit-outs.

“I actually think that he’s probably their most important player,” Riewoldt said.

“He’s played well … Essendon have got a lot of young midfielders that we expect to take the next step, but it starts with Draper in the middle, and when we get good Draper, I think Essendon are a force to be reckoned with.”

Originally published as Young Bombers Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy give fans glimmer of hope against Cats