By Marc McGowan
Isaac Kako is the reason Essendon giddily handed over their top-10 selection to the Demons on Monday morning for an enormous draft haul.
The cheeky, hyper-talented small forward from Melbourne’s northern suburbs is this year’s top graduate from the Bombers’ Next Generation Academy – and they can match any opposition bid on him in next month’s draft.
Essendon-bound small forward Isaac Kako is certain to be a fan favourite.Credit: AFL Photos
Kako’s star rose during a brilliant series of performances at the national under-18 championships for Vic Metro, including eight goals in four games, to the point Essendon realised he would attract a bid before their No.9 pick.
Melbourne and North Melbourne were two of many clubs that tried to prise the selection from the Bombers, who are certain to draft the 175-centimetre Kako and reunite him with former Parade College schoolmate Nate Caddy at The Hangar. The Demons, possibly not coincidentally, were as keen on Kako as any club.
His goals at the championships – complete with a mid-air spin move, a baulk, and some powerful bursts through traffic – should have Essendon fans drooling.
Only two of them came from set shots, with the best a checkside finish from a standing start, up against the boundary line in the right pocket against South Australia. The AFL’s draft guru, Kevin Sheehan, called it “special”.
Kako, the youngest of five children to Iraqi-born parents, still remembers the first time he kicked one like it. Playing for Northern Saints in the under 12s, he broke Westmeadows hearts from the same pocket, getting a snap away as he fell to ground before watching the ball split the uprights.
“I want to be an entertainer. I feel like I bring a lot of different stuff to the game that not a lot of people do,” Kako told The Age.
“I always want to kick goals that excite people. At the end of the day, people pay money to come watch you play, so you want to entertain them and give them a show. [The hype about me] doesn’t make me nervous – I like all that pressure. It’s good exposure, and I feel I can live up to it.”
Kako has more tricks than most small forwards.Credit: AFL Photos
Kako’s personality and confidence – not to be confused with arrogance – are infectious, and make him fun to be around.
He is sure to quickly win over Bombers supporters, but much like Hawthorn forward Nick Watson, he might occasionally rub opposition fans the wrong way. They will not-so-secretly wish Kako was one of theirs.
The 18-year-old is in the process of trying to figure out a signature goal celebration, something his soon-to-be teammate Xavier Duursma might be able to help with.
Kako, who is recovering from season-ending ankle syndesmosis surgery, wants to learn how to backflip like the NFL superstars in the United States, but does not think the AFL scene is ready for that type of showmanship.
He loves watching rambunctious Swan Tom Papley revel in his own work, while he equally raves about the “sense of freedom” with which Tiger Shai Bolton plays the game.
“The NFL has good ones, but they get too carried away. No one does that in the AFL,” Kako said, laughing.
“I like how Papley celebrates. It’s funny, and brings a smile to your face. My brother and I have always talked about this, but I’ve really got to figure something out because everything is taken now. I’ve got to come up with something new.”
‘I feel like I’m ready, so as soon as I go into the system, I hope I get a chance to show what I can do’
Exciting small forward Isaac Kako
Even Kako’s hairdresser wanted a piece of him, asking if he would agree to be videoed for a TikTok clip. The video of the future Bomber’s flowing black locks is approaching 50,000 views, and has reeled in Essendon diehards already hunting for Kako content.
“My hair is natural, and I feel like it adds a bit to my personality,” he said. “I’m going to be 40 and still have this hair – hopefully, I don’t lose it.”
Kako, with Vic Metro teammate and fellow first-round draft prospect Jesse Dattoli, wants to make an instant impact in the AFL.Credit: AFL Photos
Kako grew up in Fawkner, moved to a 1.2-hectare property in Mickleham, and now lives in Greenvale. There is a 17-year gap between him and his eldest sibling, Lisa, 35, whom he describes as “like a second mum” to him. He has another sister, Ledia, 28, and two brothers, Eliot, 33, and Bronell, 23.
“I’m the baby of the family. I’m really close with all my siblings, and we have a big emphasis on family,” he said.
“My brother [Eliot] started playing footy when he was 16 for Northern Saints, so I’ve been around the club since I was little ... and I’ve loved the game ever since.”
Kako has been on Essendon’s radar since he was 13, when he played in the Adam Saad Academy, and the Bombers have understandably helped with his ankle rehabilitation.
“Playing in the AFL is a dream in itself, so it doesn’t matter where you play, but Essendon have done heaps for me, so playing for them would be a blessing,” Kako said. “But, whoever it is, I feel like I’m ready, so as soon as I go into the system, I hope I get a chance to show what I can do.”
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