Essendon v Western Bulldogs: Gavin Wanganeen reacts after son Tex signed by Bombers

Gavin Wanganeen has revealed his emotion at learning son Tex would follow in his footsteps after earning a spot on Essendon’s list for 2022.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan struggled against the Dons. Picture: Getty Images

Gavin Wanganeen had already warned his son Tex he would be a blubbering fool if the 18-year-old managed to secure a list spot with his former club Essendon.

On Wednesday after that rookie list contract was announced his prophecy came true, even if the cameras didn’t quite capture those tears.

“It was great. There were three little hugs in there. I put my head into his neck and told him some things. It was so special,” the Essendon and Port Adelaide fan favourite told the Herald Sun of their post-announcement embrace.

“I was crying. I had tears even if the camera wasn’t close enough to see them. I said to him, “You know this would happen”. What I meant was that I would cry like a baby.

“It was a very special father-son moment. It’s a club with proud history and now he has an opportunity to create his own history.”

Livewire forward Wanganeen had been a member of Essendon’s James Hird academy and was available as a father-son to both the Dons and Port Adelaide after his father’s proud AFL history.

Gavin Wanganeen played 127 games as a Brownlow Medallist, premiership player and teen heart-throb with Essendon before crossing to Port Adelaide to win another flag amid 173 more games.

Yet son Tex’s draft aspirations took a battering through a combination of circumstances, with Essendon then inviting him to train with the club over summer.

“We sent Tex over to Xavier College from Adelaide to board for Year 11 and 12. In the first year Covid hit and he didn’t get to play any games with Oakleigh (in the NAB League) so the whole year was written off. Then in the second year he sustained a stress fracture in his foot and missed pretty much the whole year. He had to nurture the (navicular fracture) and he got play a single game which was the Grand Final.

Tex Wanganeen and Gavin Wanganeen at Essendon.

“There just wasn’t enough vision of him. It was his dream to get drafted with his cousins Nasiah (taken by St Kilda with pick 11). I have kicked the footy to them since they were three years of age and they had to fight to get it back to me.

“But to his credit he looked past it and put in the hard work with Essendon over summer and showed them his talent. We have seen him shine over the last two weeks and he’s always had poise when he gets the footy. He has worked so hard and he really deserves it.”

Wanganeen’s elevation alongside 20-year-old WAFL player Nic Martin came immediately after his two-goal last quarter cameo against the Bulldogs, with Brendon Goddard lauding his ability to do the “freakish things” most players cannot.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said on Thursday the Power were thrilled the son of a famous club name instead of bemoaning a missed chance to secure a young small forward.

“Tex went to school over in Melbourne and it was good for him,” he said.

“It’s just such a great story I reckon for Gav and the family to see him come through and get an opportunity

“I was really excited to see him come through, he initially looked like a “will-he-or-won’t-he” to get an opportunity and I always get excited for young people who get opportunities. Whether it is at our club or another club it is great.”

While the Essendon list team had clearly made the decision pre-match, Wanganeen was grateful his son didn’t know before it was announced to the playing list.

“We didn’t really know, there wasn’t much talk. To kick two really nice goals against the runners-up (Western Bulldogs) showed promising signs.

“They would have known from the first intra-club last week. They told me after they had already made up their mind, but it was announced in the inner sanctum along with Nic Martin, they announced it to his teammates first hand.

“This club has a brilliant history and this is a fairytale. The club does pride itself on continuing the family connection but now he has to earn it and this is just a start.”

PRACTICE MATCH NOTES: UGLE-HAGAN NO LOCK FOR ROUND 1

Nick Smart

Essendon fans breathed a huge sigh of relief when utility Aaron Francis was able to return to the field after a suffering a big scare in the Bombers’ practice match on Wednesday.

Playing against the Western Bulldogs at the Hangar in humid conditions, Francis limped off in the hands of the trainers after landing heavily early after a marking contest.

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Francis was seen clutching at his leg before being helped from the field to be assessed by the Bombers’ medicos.

Although, Francis who has been training as a forward in the pre-season, was able to return to the match and provided a target in the forward half as the Bombers’ scored a 12.9 (81) to 11.8 (74) victory.

Aaron Francis had an injury scare in the Bombers’ clash with the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

WHO STARRED?

Essendon

Kyle Langford, who was playing on a wing, was arguably Essendon’s best.

In the middle, the midfield guns in Dylan Shiel and Darcy Parish were busy, while Zach Merrett’s disposal was spot on.

Andy McGrath was effective off halfback, and Will Snelling starred up forward with two goals.

Jordan Ridley provided the highlights with a speccy at half-forward.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s first hitout was underwhelming. Picture: Getty Images

Bulldogs

Adam Treloar looked in superb touch after a great summer on the track.

Fit and nimble, he was effective in the middle and up forward.

Ed Richards was strong off halfback, while Aaron Naughton was strong up forward.

Although, there is too much reliance on him up forward with Josh Bruce (knee) still some time away.

There had been some buzz this summer around former No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, although his first showing on Wednesday left a bit to be desired.

He struggled to make an impact up forward and appeared to be outmuscled in marking contests at times.

On this performance, a Round 1 selection is far from in the bag.

Adam Treloar moved well for the Doggies. Picture: Michael Klein

MAGNETS MOVED

Essendon

Get set to see Archie Perkins up forward a lot more this year.

He spent plenty of time in the forward half and looked sharp, kicking two goals.

Expect to see Langford spent more time on the wing this year, while skipper Dyson Heppell started the game on the opposite wing.

Archie Perkins looked good up forward. Picture: Getty Images

Bulldogs

Lachie Hunter spent some time on the play, which is a role he’s wanted to try for awhile.

He did so to good effect, while Richards was superb off halfback.

Although, how will they fit him into the backline?

Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen had an impact at half-forward.

RECRUIT/DRAFTEES WATCH

Essendon

Tex Wanganeen has earned a list spot at Essendon after a scintillating performance.

The son of Bombers great Gavin, Wanganeen came on in the final term on Wednesday and had an immediate impact.

He shrugged off an opponent to kick a goal with his first kick and then booted another late in the game.

To cap off the day, the Bombers announced post-game that Wanganeen and Nick Martin would both be listed on the club’s Rookie A list this year.

“Both Tex and Nick have earned the opportunity to fill the remaining spots on our list and we’re thrilled to have secured their services through the SSP,” Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro said.

“Despite a Covid-impacted two years at Xavier College plying his trade on the football field, Tex has impressed with his natural athleticism and pace, and he was able to showcase that in an intraclub match at the NEC Hangar last week.

“Tex is a product of our James Hird Academy and it is a credit to our wider list management team and the program’s purpose to continue aiding the development of these young players.

“In his short time with the club, Nick has displayed hunger, professionalism and dedication to take his game to another level and seize the opportunity in front of him.

“With Nick’s experience and natural goalkicking abilities, we see him evolving into a high half-forward/wing position which will complement our existing forward line.

“Both Tex and Nick’s signings are fantastic stories in their own right, so we’re looking forward to seeing both men continue to improve in 2022.”

Fellow Bombers young gun and first-round pick Ben Hobbs also showed positive signs against the Bulldogs.

Arthur Jones is set to be a Bulldogs’ fan favourite. Picture: Getty Images

Bulldogs

Arthur Jones, who the Dogs took at pick No. 43 in last year’s draft, showed good signs in his first hitout.

What Bulldogs fans would love is he looks like he is ready for footy and won’t need too much time to develop.

ROUND-1 BOLTERS

For Essendon, is it too early to say Wanganeen?

It is, but his talent and excitement is evident and he’ll be fun to watch up forward.

Of the players vying for Round 1 spots from the Bulldogs, Josh Schache was solid down back before going forward.

Roarke Smith and Mitch Hannan also locked up their Round 1 spots, while surely Richards did as well.

Tex Wanganeen has won a spot on Essendon’s list. Picture: Getty Images

Laverde’s commitment to Bombers

—Jon Ralph

Essendon free agent Jayden Laverde has pledged his future to the club he grew up supporting as he prepares for another season playing on footy’s greatest forwards.

Laverde emerged as one of Essendon’s success stories last year after the injury-prone half forward was recast into a key back able to nullify the AFL’s best key forwards.

As Essendon prepares to take on the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday in an official AFL practice match, Laverde says another summer together for the new “Baby Bombers” can only grow the exciting young group.

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Down by only three points at halftime in last September’s elimination final, the end result was a nasty 49-point domination by a Dogs side that pushed Melbourne deep into the Grand Final.

Now after a flawless summer Laverde believes he is well-placed to build on 2021’s successes, which would make a contract extension to stay at Essendon a fait accompli.

Jayden Laverde catches Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman high during last season’s elimination final.

“For me I would love to be one-club player, I mean I grew up barracking for Essendon. It would be pretty nice, I grew up not far from the club. So it is a perfect world for me, I couldn’t imagine it being better or any other way,” he told the Herald Sun.

“It will get done. (My manager) will get it done, which is nice. I obviously want to build on last year and staying injury-free and getting through the bulk of the games last year was really nice for me personally. So I am really focused on that. I have had a good last couple of months and am wanting to take it into the next season so that is all I am focused on at the moment.”

THE POSITIONAL CHANGE

In six completed seasons Laverde, the No. 20 pick in the 2014 national draft, had never played more than 10 games in a single year.

Then came the brief 2020 experiment that turned into one of footy’s greatest positional switches last year.

The former flanker didn’t just play on medium-sized talls, his list of opponents from Round 15 opponent included Tom McDonald (kept goalless), Tom Hawkins (two goals), Nick Larkey (goalless), Lance Franklin (two goals), Ben King (goalless) and Tim English (goalless in the elimination final).

“At the start of the year I wasn’t really sure if I would play forward or back. I had asked to play down back when I was younger and nothing eventuated but in 2020 I played half a game down back and ‘Truck’ (coach Ben Rutten) liked what he saw. He said I would have a full pre-season down there and learn the craft.”

Jayden Laverde claimed some big scalps after moving into defence.

Jayden Laverde rises high to mark against Carlton.

“Then the ball got rolling and my confidence grew. Truck and Gia (defensive coach Daniel Giansiracusa) had faith and belief in me.

“To play on players like Buddy and Hawkins, I definitely didn’t think I would be lining up on them at the start of the year and taking on the challenge head-on but I am pretty proud of it given where I had come from.

“We play Geelong in Round 1 so it will be the Hawkins match-up or Jezza Cameron. Each forward had their own little things to look out for. Do they hit up at the ball? Do they get up close and get contact in. You don’t want to body up on Hawkins so I have learned a lot from those guys.”

THE EARLY FINALS RE-MATCH

Essendon was ultimately found wanting in the second half of that Tasmanian final as the powerful Dogs midfield took hold.

An official February practice match against the same side provides a perfect litmus test of summer growth rather than any capacity for revenge.

“It’s perfect that we get to go up against the same side,” Laverde said.

“We have trained against the same blokes for a fair few months now. It will be good to see where our improvement is at. Hopefully we can bring our best footy and see how it stacks up against the Dogs because they are a great team.

“We take great lessons out of the final. We were with them for a half and the second half showed the gap we need to close.”

Jayden Laverde spoils Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe.

Jayden Laverde jostles with Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins.

THE KEY FORWARD CANDIDATES

Harrison Jones’ breakout season showed he will at some stage become a forward mainstay, but Rutten is also excited by the progress of summer rookie addition Kaine Baldwin.

Recruiter Adrian Dodoro secured him last year as a high-risk high-reward tall forward off two knee reconstructions and he has shown signs on the track this summer a debut is in the offing after an injury-interrupted first season.

“He is a workhorse. He is in the same boat as Hurls (Michael Hurley). The amount of work he has put in since he came to the club, he is one of those guys who is really diligent,” says Laverde.

“He rocked up in great nick and he’s turning some heads. I had some time on him in the intra-club the other day and he’s got really strong body, he’s a good overhead contested mark, he covers the ground well and we are really excited about him.”

Originally published as Essendon v Western Bulldogs: Gavin Wanganeen reacts after son Tex signed by Bombers