Essendon denied VFL look at top draft prospect Isaac Kako after ankle injury ends campaign

Essendon is guaranteed access to Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Kako, but was robbed of the chance to see him in action at VFL level on the weekend.

First-round draft prospect Isaac Kako will have surgery on a syndesmosis injury on Tuesday, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

The leading small forward in this year’s draft pool, Kako is likely heading to Essendon as an Academy selection.

Rule changes brought in this season mean the Bombers can match a bid on Kako wherever it comes.

But the injury and subsequent surgery means Calder Cannons will be without their most potent forward and vice-captain for their Coates Talent League premiership push.

The injury also stripped Kako of the chance to make his VFL debut for the Bombers at the weekend, as teammate and fellow NGA member Jayden Nguyen played his first game at the level.

Isaac Kako of the Calder Cannons will miss the rest of the season after injuring his ankle. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos.

He shot into first round calculations of the draft following a stellar carnival with Vic Metro, but will not play again this season and will be racing to be fit to test at the national combine in early October.

Kako suffered the ankle injury in Calder Cannons’ 22 point win over Tasmania in round 17 and said he immediately knew the prognosis wouldn’t be good.

“I got tackled from behind while getting dragged down and my ankle got caught under,” he said.

“I knew straight away it was pretty bad but I didn’t think it would need surgery.”

The 18-year-old has been a key performer for the Cannons this season kicking 20 goals in his 12 games, which included a day out against the Suns in round 8 where he collected 29 disposals and kicked three goals.

The Cannons sits in third spot on the ladder with a season record of 10-4 and just percentage separating them from top spot.

Kako said the timing of the injury was “disappointing” but had faith in his side to challenge for a premiership.

“We have a really good group this year and have the belief that we can go deep into finals,” he said.

“It’s pretty annoying I can’t help the team to achieve what we set out to, (but) I’ll be helping out as much as I can and hopefully the boys can bring it home.”