Essendon track watch: Elijah Tsatas pushing for Opening Round spot
The Bombers took to the track on Saturday for some match simulation, revealing plenty of hints as to how they might shape up for Opening Round against the Suns. More here.
Former high-end draft pick Elijah Tsatas is staking his claim for a spot in Essendon’s senior midfield rotation five weeks out from the Opening Round clash with Gold Coast.
It came as a handful of young Bombers including second-year forward Nate Caddy – who looks more powerful and composed – and exciting draftee Isaac Kako as well as a few veterans impressed in a gruelling match simulation on Saturday.
Tsatas, 20, has struggled to make an impact in his two seasons at The Hangar, due to a handful of injuries, inconsistent form and some question marks over his disposal efficiency.
He had managed only 11 games, including seven last season, after being taken as pick five of the 2022 draft.
But the young inside-mid looks fitter, stronger and, importantly, cleaner with the ball in his hands after a near flawless pre-season.
He was one of the standout performers in the almost three-hour session in hot conditions on Saturday, gaining the first clearance which led to a Dylan Shiel goal inside the first 30 seconds.
Tsatas was chosen as part of the stronger A side from the outset and worked tirelessly in the midfield alongside the likes of skipper Zach Merrett and co.
He looks to have put in a power of work on his body and with his use of the ball – something which was needed to do – in a display that would have pleased Bombers fans in attendance.
Exciting small forward Kako was on the board with an early goal and brought the sort of forward pressure that would have delighted coach Brad Scott.
He is still learning some of the forward set-ups but looks a lock for that early debut, given he brings precisely what the Bombers need.
Key forward Caddy looks set to follow on from his solid first season with two goals, including one that came from a strong contested mark in the goal square.
RUCK ‘N ROLE
Essendon looks set to run with a two-pronged ruck attack this season, which would allow Sam Draper to spend some more time forward.
Draper and Nick Bryan started on the same side opposed to Todd Goldstein, before switching teams later in the game.
They combined well early, switching roles from the ruck to attack, and at one stage they shared four consecutive goals.
Draper, 26, is about to enter the final year of his current deal with the Bombers and seems fired up and ready to perform.
He kicked three goals for the game, mixing his time between the two roles, while Bryan is looking more and more comfortable in his role within the team, kicking two goals himself.
Bryan, 23, has only played 19 games, and has never played more than eight in one season, but looks set to play a bigger role in 2025.
ON THE SIDELINES
Essendon is confident a handful of players who sat out Saturday’s match simulation – including key defender Ben McKay and midfielders Sam Durham and Darcy Parish – will be right to go in the rundown to the pre-season games.
The Bombers’ trio, as well as Jayden Laverde, Nik Cox and Jordan Ridley, had varying running sessions before and during the match simulation.
McKay has been increasing his training load after a small ankle cleanout just before Christmas, while Ridley won’t play in the club’s first practice match against the Western Bulldogs after a minor hamstring strain.
SPRINGBOARD SHIEL
It took under 30 seconds of the four-quarter match simulation to show Shiel’s pre-season move to half back could be a significant boost for the veteran and his club.
Almost from the first bounce, Shiel launched himself off half back through the midfield to receive the ball from Tsatas and slam home a 55m long bomb goal which brought a rousing reception from his teammates.
Shiel has been trialled in defence across the summer and on early indications he seems to be thriving in his switch.
The 31-year-old kicked a second goal later in the game when he was able to get away from his opponent and kick another goal from a distance.
Finding the right spot for Shiel had been a big talking point for the Bombers. But his run and his prodigious left foot seem well suited to seeing him become a springboard player from defence.
He’s had a wretched run with injuries in the past two years – playing just 21 games across 2023 and 2024 – but if his body can remain sound, he could add some more strings to his bow.
WELCOME BACK WINDERS
Popular former Bomber Jason Winderlich made a surprise return to The Hangar on Saturday morning, six months after he broke his neck in two places and sustained spinal damage in a regional football match.
Winderlich is making good progress in his recovery and back on his feet as he reconnected with familiar faces including former teammate Jayden Laverde as well as current coaches Brent Stanton, Michael Hurley and Ricky Dyson, who played in the red and black with him.
The 40-year-old toured the club’s facilities early on Saturday with his wife and kids as part of the Bombers’ past players association.
Winderlich feared the worst when he couldn’t move his body after the collision when playing for Thorpdale in August.
But thankfully he has had great support from those around him and he was walking around talking to some of the injured Bombers on Saturday.
Winderlich played 129 games with Essendon from 2003 to 2015.
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