AFL 2024: Hawthorn recruit Massimo D’Ambrosio could make Bombers pay

Essendon wanted to keep Massimo D’Ambrosio, but this is why the Bombers will be stuck watching his breakout season at another club.

Massimo D’Ambrosio enjoyed a stellar Hawthorn debut against his former Bombers, gathering 30 disposals on a wing. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

Silky left-footer Massimo D’Ambrosio could be the one that got away from Essendon after a big statement in his Hawthorn debut against his former club.

D’Ambrosio amassed 29 disposals on Saturday in a sign of his intent to reach a new level in 2024 after leaving the club that took a punt on him in the mid-season draft.

The 20-year-old said uncertainty over his future due to Essendon’s refusal to offer a multi-year deal during the season had contributed to his decision to leave Hawthorn on the final day of the trade period.

It is the understood the Bombers have a policy of not tabling deals of that length to rookie-listed players during the season, but had put a one-year offer to D’Ambrosio midway through 2023.

Other clubs have also increasingly pushed back contracting decisions on fringe players into the off-season after the pandemic brought a squeeze on list sizes.

The Hawks only had to give up pick 61 and a future fourth-rounder to secure their uncontracted target, who has found a new home on the wing after struggling to break into the Bombers’ line-up last season.

“Yeah, it had a little bit of a role (in leaving),” D’Ambrosio said when asked about Essendon’s hesitancy to offer a longer deal.

Hawthorn debutant Massimo D’Ambrosio had a team-high 29 disposals as he met his former Bombers at the MCG on Saturday. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

“There were a few things in place which influenced the decision – but I’m just really happy to be at Hawthorn now.”

D’Ambrosio’s penetrating left boot caught the eye of Essendon while playing in the VFL for Richmond in 2022, earning him an initial 18-month contract and almost immediate senior debut at halfback under then coach Ben Rutten.

But his defensive skills were challenged by Brad Scott last season, and the need to improve was clear after he was dropped to the VFL for a month following a career-high 27 disposals and eight marks in the round 3 loss to St Kilda.

D’Ambrosio said he had bulked up over summer and worked hard on his contested game upon arrival at Hawthorn and impressed new coach Sam Mitchell with his physicality in a superb all-round debut on Saturday.

A courageous overhead mark midway through the second term when he threw himself in front of a pair of incoming hard nuts in Jake Kelly and Blake Hardwick had Mitchell concerned for his safety.

Hawthorn brought triple premiership wingman Isaac Smith back to the club to present the No.16 jumper to D’Ambrosio before Saturday’s game. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

“It’s been a nervous week for him, playing against his old side,” Mitchell said after the game.

“When you think of Massimo, you really think of his work rate and his skill level, but I was really pleased with some of his tough moments.

“I thought he had a couple of aerial contests where I was saying, ‘I’m not sure you’re going to walk out of that one!’ But I was really pleased that he was able to have a strong performance in his first game in brown and gold.”

D’Ambrosio said during the pre-season he wanted to emulate All-Australian duo Josh Daicos and Errol Gulden on the wing, and his first performance wearing the No.16 of former Hawks wingman Isaac Smith showed he could meet their output at his best.

“I’ve put on a few kilos, I’m really working on my contest stuff. I think I’ve come a long way over the pre-season, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do,” he said.

“I think I floated across halfback and wing throughout the whole pre-season, but I always want to push up the ground and use my foot skills, which I think is my weapon at the highest level.

“Coming over to Hawthorn, I spoke about that with (Mitchell), and we’ll see how things go for us this year. Hopefully, we can keep building off this.”