AFL pre-season notes: Latest news, photos from Essendon training

The clearest hints of Essendon’s forward and defensive plans yet emerged on Thursday as one star fired up during a heated pre-season session. SEE FULL TRACK NOTES HERE

Nate Caddy has shown no signs of second-year blues over summer as he acted as the clear focal point during a heated Essendon session on Thursday.

Caddy played in what appeared to be an ‘A team’ forward line at the end of the two-hour session, alongside Peter Wright, Matt Guelfi, Harry Jones and Jade Gresham and was a standout leading at the ball and setting teammates up.

The budding star kicked nine goals from 10 games in his debut season but showed signs of being a key man for the Bombers and has been a vocal presence in the start to pre-season.

The Dons draftees sat out the full-ground drill but first-round pick Isaac Kako carried on an impressive start to his AFL life before then, buzzing around in earlier drills and showing the fast feet that should see him in the mix for a game early in 2025.

Kako showed his deft movement dancing around the boundary line in a defensive drill but at one point he was dragged down by tall Lewis Hayes.

Nate Caddy impressed. Picture: Mark Stewart

Isaac Kako powers through a tackle. Picture: Mark Stewart

Forward Guelfi was not pleased when dragged down in that same drill and was heard complaining the second oval at the club’s Hangar “is like concrete”.

The heat rose then as Guelfi and Ben Hobbs had some words after the tackle.

The Bombers held a heavy session on a rain-logged oval in Bendigo during a community camp earlier in the week before facing completely different conditions in 30 degree heat on the firm surface back home.

Summer signing Jaxon Prior will be given every chance to push for a first-term berth early in the season and he started at fullback in the match simulation drill.

Jaidyn Nguyen marks. Picture: Mark Stewart

Archie Roberts handballs. Picture: Mark Stewart

As the session waned, the Bombers threw the magnets around, sending defenders Andy McGrath and Mason Redman into centre bounces against what was an A team mix of Darcy Parish, Sam Durham and Sam Draper – who appears to have slightly trimmed his trademark mullet.

Dylan Shiel played with the B team midfield, alongside Elijah Tsatas.

A number of Bombers took it easy during the session, with Ben McKay only on light duties and Todd Goldstein heading inside early.

Jye Caldwell remained in a flouro cap and worked away from the main group during match sim after off-season shoulder surgery.

Will Setterfield slowly jogged laps during most of the session.

PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED

Alwyn Davey Jr – Kicked a goal in a drill then followed up with a speedy sprint – caused a turnover. Impressed in a full ground drill – displayed gut running and didn’t miss a target as he aims to build on his 10 appearances in 2024.

Nick Bryan – Sold some candy on Alwyn Davey on the last line of defence during a drill. Followed up with a give and go repeat effort. Also contested well aerially in a full ground drill.

Lewis Hayes – Kicked a goal in a drill and followed up with a strong holding-the-ball-worthy tackle on speedy Isaac Kako, loudly praised by teammates and coaches. The uncapped teen has been a hard worker so far in summer.

Saad El-Hawli – Continued his strong start to pre-season. Pressure and work rate his two most impressive attributes during the session. Played with the ‘A’ defence in match simulation.

Originally published as AFL pre-season notes: Latest news, photos from Essendon training