Essendon’s Next Generation Academy to deliver Bombers access to Hussein El Achkar and Adam Sweid
Essendon was the beneficiary of NGA rules changing before last year’s draft, with Isaac Kako joining the club. Now, two more highly-touted youngsters could follow him.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Essendon’s Next Generation Academy looks set to deliver the club two more talented young stars this year as the Bombers eye a bumper 2025 draft haul.
Just months after securing exciting small forward Isaac Kako through its NGA program, Essendon is keeping close tabs on two of his former Calder Cannons teammates in Hussein El Achkar and Adam Sweid.
Some recruiters believe that El Achkar and Sweid both sit among the early top-40 prospects for November’s national draft on the back of impressive performances over the past month.
A 171cm small forward who has improved his running capacity, El Achkar booted four goals from 15 disposals in the Cannons’ round 1 win over the Oakleigh Chargers last Sunday.
Sweid, who is a 175cm midfielder-forward, also starred with 25 disposals, five clearances and two goals in what was his first official game for the Cannons after missing last year with an ACL injury.
The pair – who are best mates – also caught the eyes of recruiters in a pre-season outing against the Western Jets, in which El Achkar also kicked four goals and Sweid found plenty of the footy and hit the scoreboard.
El Achkar has spent time training with the Bombers’ AFL side in recent weeks as part of the NGA program, while Sweid is also expected to enjoy some training opportunities soon.
El Achkar inherited Kako’s old No. 2 jumper at the Cannons this year, with the Essendon draftee returning to the club last month to hand it over at a presentation night.
Kako was also in the crowd at Moorabbin watching the Cannons’ first match last weekend.
The Bombers could secure the two NGA prospects this year on top of at least two other high-end picks if they opt to again go to the draft rather than exploring trade opportunities.
Essendon holds two first-round and two second-round draft picks this year, having its own selections in both rounds as well as a first-round pick linked to Melbourne and a second-round pick linked to St Kilda.
Based on the current ladder, the Bombers hold picks 2, 5, 23 and 30.
Essendon fans will be hoping that Melbourne’s sluggish start to the season continues, with the Demons sitting 17th on the ladder after a 0-3 start to the year.
Melbourne meets Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
ESSENDON’S NGA MACHINE
2025 TOP PROSPECTS
Hussein El Achkar
Considered to be one of the best small forwards in this year’s draft pool, the 18-year-old is clean, clever, quick and knows how to find the goals. A Bachar Houli Academy graduate, he averaged 15.2 disposals and 1.3 goals across 15 Coates Talent League games as a bottom-age player in 2024. In a round 1 match against Oakleigh Chargers last weekend he was prolific with 15 disposals and four goals, including a lovely major on the run from 55m during the second quarter.
Adam Sweid
He has had limited exposure so far after missing most of last year with an ACL injury, but this midfielder-forward is certainly a player to watch this year. He moves well, takes the game on, has clean hands and can hit the scoreboard or set up teammates when pushing forward. Sweid logged 25 disposals, five marks, two goals and 179 ranking points in the Cannons’ first match of the season last weekend.
2024 DRAFTEES
Isaac Kako
The Bombers matched a bid on Kako from Richmond at pick 13 in last year’s draft, securing the best small forward in the pool. Kako has played all three games so far for Essendon in his debut season, kicking one goal from 14 disposals in round 1.
Jayden Nguyen
Picked up as a Category B rookie at the end of last year, Nguyen featured in a range of roles in his draft year including as a defender and forward. He had 17 disposals in defence in round 1 of the VFL.
Originally published as Essendon’s Next Generation Academy to deliver Bombers access to Hussein El Achkar and Adam Sweid
AFL’s ‘Super Bowl week’: What’s next for the festival of footy?
South Australia’s festival of football has quickly become one of the biggest weeks on the Australian sporting calendar. Ahead of its third instalment, Matt Turner unpacks the event’s future.
11th-hour call looms on star Crow’s Gather Round availability
Once again, the Crows will open Gather Round with a blockbuster. This time, it’s against the Cats, but will one of their biggest names even play despite being named?