AFL draft 2025: New Essendon pick Kayle Gerreyn on his new club, what position he wants to play

Essendon has been searching for a big-bodied midfielder since Jobe Watson retired. Could they have found one masquerading as a ruckman in last week’s draft?

Essendon draftee Kayle Gerreyn believes he could one day develop into the big-bodied midfielder that the Bombers have been craving as he sets his sights on one of the biggest days on the football calendar.

A 199cm forward-ruck, the West Australian had his first look around Tullamarine on Monday after being taken with Essendon’s second selection in last week’s national draft at pick 37.

He said he expects to start his AFL career as a forward but is hopeful he will eventually spend more time in the thick of the action.

“With my ability to win the ball and move around the ground, who knows what the future holds,” Gerreyn said.

“Whether it’s as a ruck or maybe even a big-body midfielder or halfback or something like that, only time will tell.

Kayle Gerreyn clashes with Alex Dodson in the ruck during the National Championships. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“I’ve got to up my tank a bit and keep developing my craft and learning, but then I can hopefully play a bit more ruck and around the ball.”

Gerreyn’s father, Chris, spent time on Hawthorn’s list in the early 1990s and the family have been Hawks fans.

Hawthorn and Essendon have long had a fierce rivalry, but Gerreyn said he never hated the Bombers.

“I didn’t mind Essendon,” he said.

“I always loved Collingwood and Essendon because of Anzac Day.

Got a feeling you'll like this guy. https://t.co/Sv9DnuJsnApic.twitter.com/9lFgaUYYYU

— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) November 22, 2024

“I’d like to play any game or as many games as I possibly can and I’ll strive for that. But Anzac Day is probably the main day for us, so that’d be a sick environment to play in. If I get that opportunity to play in that sort of atmosphere some day, it’s just something that everyone dreams of.”

A long-kicking and competitive tall, Gerreyn featured in the WAFL seniors this year for his home club West Perth.

Other West Perth products who have found their way to Essendon include Derek Kickett, Darren Bewick and Kepler Bradley.

Could Kayle Gerreyn be a big-bodied midfielder? Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Gerreyn said his father had provided some simple advice before he crossed the country to follow his football dreams.

“(He said) just to make the most of the opportunity, work as hard as I possibly can, try and be a good teammate, be a good person and just keep looking to grow,” Gerreyn said.

“I want to keep looking to improve and work as hard as I can to try and achieve my goals.”

Gerreyn also met with met veteran Bombers ruckman Todd Goldstein on his first day at the club.

“I had a chat to him (Goldstein) and asked him how many years he’s going into and he said, ‘19’,” Gerreyn said.

“He was drafted the year I was born, which is pretty crazy. But he’s an unbelievable person and has had an unbelievable career.

“With his tap work, he’s probably one of the best ruckmen of all time. So if I can try and learn off him and be half the player he is, then I’ll be pretty successful.”