Analysis: Where Essendon, Collingwood under-23 players are at

While Collingwood has Nick Daicos, the Bombers look to have the edge when it comes to young talent. We break down the under-23 players from both clubs.

Collingwood and Essendon are both exciting young sides.

But who has the better crop of under-23s?

We’ve taken a look at where each club’s young players are at — from the standout stars to those who are yet to debut.

Take a look and have your say below.

COLLINGWOOD

It is quite remarkable that in just his second season, Daicos is the No. 1 ranked player at Collingwood. He has averaged 36 disposals and 619 metres gained primarily playing across halfback as he builds on a 2022 campaign which saw him take out the AFL Rising Star award. Daicos leads the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year Award after Round 5 and is the early favourite to win the Brownlow Medal. Small forwards McCreery and Ginnivan bring great energy. Ginnivan returned against St Kilda in Round 5 after being suspended for the first two rounds and then being forced to come back through the VFL.

Daicos has quickly become one of the most effective weapons in the league. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

A 194cm strong and mobile forward, McInness showed some great signs when he came on and kicked two goals against Geelong in Round 1 after starting as the substitute. He also kicked a goal against Port Adelaide in Round 2 after being activated as substitute in the final quarter. Bianco, Ruscoe and Macrae all had senior opportunities last season but have started this year in the VFL.

McInnes has showed some promising signs in his limited playing time. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Magpies are excited about 2022 draftee Allan, who inked a two-year contract extension in February before he had played a game for the club. The 193cm midfielder is the son of former Hawthorn premiership player Ben Allan and has great speed, endurance and ball-winning ability. Key defender Charlie Dean showed some promise during the 2022 pre-season but has been hampered ever since by a foot injury and has been ruled out for the rest of this season. Last year’s top draft pick, Ryan, has impressed at VFL level as a speedy rebounding defender. In his fifth season at the club, Kelly has been playing as a key defender in the VFL. Begg has been sidelined in recent weeks with a back injury, while Draper has been unavailable the past three weeks after suffering a concussion.

Ed Allan. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jakob Ryan. Picture by Michael Klein

ESSENDON

A rookie selection through the Supplementary Selection Period ahead of the 2022 season, Martin has been a genuine gem. The midfielder-forward has missed just one game since making a stunning five-goal debut against Geelong in Round 1 last year and is averaging 20.6 disposals and 1.2 goals this season. Durham was a mid-season draft pick in 2021 and has similarly become a regular senior fixture. The wingman has missed just two matches since debuting in Round 18, 2021. Former GWS midfielder Caldwell has played a role since being traded to the Bombers at the end of the 2020 season. Mid-sized forward Perkins has continued to develop since being selected at pick 9 in the 2020 national draft and received the equal-most coaches’ votes against Hawthorn in Round 1.

Perkins has been a catalyst for Essendon’s hot start to 2023. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Foot and ankle injuries have restricted Jones over recent years, but there’s no doubt the Nick Riewoldt-like lead-up forward has some serious talent. Cox has also been hampered by injuries since the wingman played 22 games in an eye-catching debut season in 2021 and remains sidelined for an extended period with a back injury. Hobbs played 17 games on debut in 2022, but the tough midfielder has started this year in the VFL where he has been playing some good footy. Father-son pick Davey showed some good signs across his first four AFL games this year, playing as a livewire pressure forward.

Cox has struggled to see the field of late due to injury. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Essendon’s No. 5 draft pick last year, Tsatas suffered an unfortunate knee injury late in pre-season which will keep the dynamic midfielder sidelined until the middle of the year. Small forward Menzie has played every game this season after getting a taste of senior football last year and has been able to hit the scoreboard. Wanganeen has not got a look of senior football yet this year, after exciting over the pre-season. Reid has been sidelined for the early part of the season with a back injury, but Montgomerie, Hayes, Baldwin, Lord, Bryan and McBride have all been featuring at VFL level. Small forward and 2022 draftee Davey will miss the season as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury he suffered last year, while Munkara is a project player after being selected as a Category B rookie.

Elijah Tsatas on crutches in February. Pic: Michael Klein

Jye Menzie. Pic: Michael Klein

THE VERDICT

Of the 44 players on Essendon’s list this year, a remarkable 22 are currently aged under 23. The Bombers consequently have the third-youngest list in the competition, behind only Hawthorn and Adelaide. Comparatively, Collingwood has an older playing list with only 16 of its 45 players being under 23. The Magpies have the most exciting under-23 prospect in the competition in second-year star Nick Daicos. However, Essendon has been able to get more games into more of its young players in recent years, who have shown some impressive traits of their own. Given the added depth and increased exposure of the Essendon under-23s, the Bombers look to have the edge when it comes to young talent. However, supporters of both of these clubs should have some exciting years ahead.