The Bombers have a promising batch of NGA/FS kids coming through the club in the next 3 years. Watch the video below to find out about more about them! Hussien El Achkar (2025) Adam Sweid (2025) Blake Justice (2026) Koby Bewick (2027) Tevita Rodan (2027) youtu.be/AkqqrN7FZm0

Stats from our NGA Calder Cannons today. Adam Sweid (2025) 23 disp 1.2 goals 4 tackles 4 inside 50s Hussien El Achkar (2025) 13 disp 1.1 goals 4 inside 50s Blake Justice (2026) 24 disp 4 marks Jad Naim (2026) 12 disp 4 rebound 50s

VFL FULL TIME ESS 60 FRA 66 The Dolphins hold on in a thriller, terrific fightback from the slow-starting Dons. McMahon (5 goals) and Tsatas (37 disp) were prolific in the last quarter, along with VFL defender Will Hoare. Potentially some MRO trouble for Archer Day-Wicks.

VFL 3QTR TIME ESS 48 FRA 61 Really great game of footy, right in it still. McMahon has 3 goals, Tsatas 31 touches, Shiel 25. Late bump from Day-Wicks put some feeling in the game.

VFL HALF TIME ESS 34 FRA 42 Great quarter, awesome pressure around the ball led in part by Jye Menzie who has been a work horse. Liam McMahon looked set for a stinker of a night after a set shot blunder, but he responded well after, kicking 2 goals. Tsatas has 22 touches.

VFL QTR TIME ESS 0 FRA 29 Ball living in our defensive half, Frankston leading the inside 50 count 22-2 Tsatas and Shiel have 8 disposals each, need to show more when defending. Archer Day-Wicks getting plenty of midfield time, he had 2 clearances in the quarter.

DRAFT WATCH 👀 Harley Barker 187cm Wing SA The Bombers need more two way runners, and this guy is one of the fittest in the draft. Works super hard to find space in transition, and does serious damage going forward. Great competitor, gives off X Duursma vibes.

It is impossible to see Essendon being active in the off-season without trading away some contracted players. Who do we think is on the trade table this year?

VFL 3QTR TIME ESS 70 CAS 68 Kayle Gerreyn done for the night, looks like a shoulder injury. Lachie Monteath lighting it up on debut, where did this kid come from?!? McMahon and Shiel right in the frame to return to the AFL side the way they are playing.

Injury concern with Kayle Gerreyn in the VFL. Looks in some discomfort with his shoulder.

VFL HALF TIME ESS 37 CAS 49 Was looking ugly for a second there, but the Bombers fight back! McMahon has 3 goals at half time, he has to be in line for an AFL debut soon you would think. Tsatas and Shiel have 33 touches between them. Menzie having a proper crack.

VFL QTR TIME ESS 9 CAS 32 Fast start for the Bombers, but the Demons really got to work and piled on scoreboard pressure. Shiel, Tsatas and Hobbs all playing heavy midfield minutes, 5 clearances between them. Liam McMahon getting early looks at the sticks, 1 goal, 1 behind.

Gotta shout out my boy Jaxon Prior for a really solid first half on Patrick Dangerfield. Danger has 5 touches, 1 behind. Prior has 17 touches at 82%, he is also leading the game for interceptions with 5.

DRAFT WATCH 👀 Josh Lindsay 183 cm Def/Mid Vic Country Lovely ball user, great left foot kick. Composed and measured, doesn’t make many wrong decisions. Big game player, shows up when needed. In my opinion he is a top 5 talent in this draft crop.

Bombers interested in Miles Bergman 👀 According to @CalTwomey, Essendon are one of at least five Victorian clubs in the hunt for Port defender Miles Bergman. The 23 year old is out of contract, but a trade is required to lure him back to his home state.

We are halfway through the season and there’s a real battle for the EE Player of the Year Award. Votes are entered after every match review! 1 N Martin (26) 2 Z Merrett (23) 3 X Duursma (15) 3 S Durham (15) 5 J Caldwell (14) 6 Z Reid (13) 7 P Wright (10) 8 A McGrath (9)

Is Zak Johnson a chance for a rising star nomination this week? ⭐️ 18 disp (83%) 374 metres gained 5 marks 7 interceptions Some other notable performances Luke Trainor v SYD Kane McAuliffe v SYD Nick Madden v PA Finn O’Sullivan v WCE Tyrell Dewar v NM

Koby Bewick’s first half in the U16 Metro v Country game has been HUGE 3 goals, 13 disposals 🔥 He is constantly working up the ground from the midfield, making himself a scoring threat inside 50. Tevita Rodan has done some nice things too!

Koby Bewick is looking pretty damn good for Vic Metro’s U16s team right now. Has already kicked a couple of goals, doing plenty. You can watch the game live on YouTube!

I’m surprised that some Essendon fans are defending Durham’s bump. To me, that is exactly what we want cut out of the game, and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t suspended. Still love the bloke, just think he was a bit reckless.❤️🖤

Saw plenty to like from Johnson and Day-Wicks tonight, there is a lot to work with there. Also shoutout to Luamon Lual who gave it a proper crack, wouldn’t mind seeing more of him at AFL level.

I’ve rocked up to the game late, but it only took me 5 minutes to fall in love with Archer May ❤️🖤 Love the way he goes about it, great pickup in my eyes.

Tune in at 11:30 to see Dyl and I watch some quality Champs footy. Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid are both playing! www.youtube.com/live/o2iVUDL...

Mid-Season recruits Liam McMahon and Oskar Smartt will play with our VFL team tomorrow! May and Blakiston had a longer journey from WA, so we’ll see them unveiled next week. We will also get a good look at NGA prospect Hussien El Achkar, he’s making his VFL debut with the Dons.

Isaac Kako, Angus Clarke, Archer Day-Wicks and Zak Johnson all selected in the lineup for tomorrow nights game! It’s early but the 2024 draft haul might be a goodie 🤩

Hussien El Achkar will make his VFL debut this week for Essendon!

Mid-season draft watch 👀 Harry Ramm is a name that keeps popping up as we approach the MSD. He is a tall defender who is well known for his versatility and fitness, he ran a 6:26 in a 2k trial last year. He is still only 18, but has played regular SANFL footy in 2025.

Hard not to be excited about Zak Johnson if you’ve seen him play. Classy, composed, lovely user by foot. He is also the youngest player in the AFL right now, only days off being eligible for the 2025 draft. Seriously talented footballer, I think we’ve picked up a steal here.

Adam Sweid currently playing for the Calder Cannons, good to see that head knock last weekend didn’t result in a concussion!

VFL FULL TIME ESS 52 RICH 74 Tigers far too good in the end, played the conditions very well. Zak Johnson will surely be considered for an AFL debut, he had 25 disposals after quarter time. Successful return for Parish, he played a little over 3 quarters and had 7 clearances.

Young Essendon VFL player Nic Quigg has been helped from the field after a painful looking ankle injury. Carnage across both leagues.

VFL 3 QTR TIME ESS 32 RICH 53 1 more quarter left 🫣 There are some really frustrated players out there, it’s not an easy night to play footy. Davey has been quiet but has been involved in most of our scoring. Vigo is playing to win, he has had some phenomenal defensive acts.

Mid-season draft hopeful Cam Nyko has gone down with a hamstring injury just days before the MSD.

VFL HALF TIME ESS 22 RICH 44 Brutal game of footy to watch 😬 Saad done for the night with a hamstring. Really mature lift from Zak Johnson after a slow start, he was huge in that quarter. I’m liking Lual tonight, he’s had an impact in patches.

We are cursed. Saad El-Hawli is out of the game with a hamstring injury.

VFL QTR TIME ESS 14 RICH 16 Very windy conditions, it is going to be a scrappy game of footy. Parish looks comfortable, 9 touches, 3 clearances. Visentini is looking like a really big factor in this game, could potentially have a big night. Goldy on the mic is awesome.

Mid-season draft watch 👀 Oliver Eastland is on Essendon’s radar according to @RileyBev The 27 year old ruck has built a strong career at Claremont in the WAFL, even winning their best and fairest in 2023. He averages 19 touches and 32 hit outs a game in 2025.

Tom Lynch will not play in the Dreamtime game this Friday. He has entered concussion protocols. Big out!

Hussien El Achkar may not play for Calder until after the U18 Champs carnival. He is being managed ahead of a really important period of footy for draft hopefuls.

Big day for Essendon’s NGA today! Highly touted academy prospect Tevita Rodan (2027 draft) is about to make his talent league debut! Port fans will be eagerly watching, he also falls under father son rules there (David Rodan) Plenty of updates to come live from the ground!

Mid-season draft watch 👀 Liam McMahon is a 23 year old key forward standing at 194cm tall. He’s been playing unreal footy lately, kicking 60.22 from his last 20 VFL games for Carlton. This bloke is way too good to be playing in the VFL.

Mid-season draft watch 👀 Archer May has interest from the Dons according to @JoshGabelich May is a 198cm key forward, also a ruck option for F50 stoppages. The 20 year old has kicked 32.17 in 18 league games across the last 2 years 🔥

Mid-season draft watch! Adrian Cole was STIFF not to be drafted last year. He is a 194cm key back, very strong, great in the contest, just a pure lockdown role player. Maybe a bit young at 19, but I loved what he showed last year, and has impressed early in 2025 too!

Let's hope Tom Edwards doesn't buy AFL 26 Not only does he have a shocking face design, but he is also the lowest rated AFL player in the game. #afl26

Some good performances from our NGA boys in Calder’s win on Saturday! Adam Sweid had 23 touches, 1 goal and 4 tackles 🔥 Blake Justice (2026) was busy around the sticks with 2.2 and 4 inside 50s 🏉 Jad Naim (2026) and Olu Olalekan (2026) also played after their recent debut!

Lewis Hayes out of the game, hoping he hasn’t done any significant damage to his knee 🤞

Boring quarter of footy for neutrals, but gee it’s exciting seeing the kids up and about. Caddy, Reid, Roberts, Hayes, Saad all having a real impact on the game ❤️🖤

VFL FULL TIME ESS 107 SYD 42 Comprehensive win! The better side all day ✈️ Tsatas had a day out! 39 touches and a goal 🔥 Laverde, Clarke, Davey Jnr and Vigo amongst our best. Plenty to talk about in the VFL recap video on Monday!!!

VFL 3QTR TIME ESS 74 SYD 23 Tsatas kicked a lovely goal to go along with his 31 disposals 👏 Jayden Laverde absolutely bossing it down back 😤 Loved some of Gerreyn’s defensive efforts, every week I notice something new to his game to like!

VFL HALF TIME ESS 45 SYD 20 Essendon really starting to dominate now! Tsatas’ hand must be getting sore, 22 touches, 18 of them by hand 👊 Guelfi, Davey Jnr and Gerreyn all hitting the scoreboard 🎯 Angus Clarke looking great!