Blake Caracella excited by what Bombers young guns Andrew McGrath and Darcy Parish have to offer

It’s the old pre-season cliche: ‘so-and-so is tearing up the training track’. But new Essendon assistant Blake Caracella has singled out two young Bombers who have been “training the house down”.

Essendon young guns Andy McGrath and Darcy Parish are tearing up the track at Tullamarine.

Essendon assistant coach Blake Caracella has been buoyed by the pre-season work ethic of midfield young guns Andrew McGrath and Darcy Parish.

Caracalla has been back at the Bombers for six weeks and has been excited to get a closer look at the core group of young players he rates highly.

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Andrew McGrath has been “training the house down” at The Hangar. Picture: Getty Images

Like McGrath, Darcy Parish is a future leader of the club. Picture: Michael Klein

The 2000 Bombers’ premiership player has responsibility for Essendon’s attack and for the midfield, where he will work closely with stoppages coach Mark Harvey.

“Andy McGrath has been training the house down, to be honest,” Caracella told the club’s website.

“I am looking forward to him coming out in Round 1 and playing (well with) Darcy Parish.

“There is quite a bit of young talent (at the club), hopefully we can all connect and play well.

“I've been here five or six weeks now and I've had a good chance to meet the players and get to know them and the coaches.

“It’s good to be around Mark Harvey, who I played with a long time ago and who was one of my mentors as a coach.”

Caracella hopes Parish and McGrath are primed for their best seasons. Picture: Getty Images

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As an assistant coach, Caracella has built a significant reputation since his premature retirement in 2006 following a neck injury.

He spent time at Collingwood as an assistant coach, then went to Geelong at the end of 2009, where he was a key figure behind the Cats' 2011 flag.

He joined Richmond in 2017, where he spent three seasons, playing a part in two more premierships.

“I think we just want to make it a fun place to be,” Caracella said of his return to Essendon.

“The game evolves fairly quickly, but we will try and incorporate a few things from elsewhere. We are also looking forward to the future.

“We need to make sure we are staying ahead of the curve.”

Originally published as Blake Caracella excited by what Bombers young guns Andrew McGrath and Darcy Parish have to offer