An underrated weapon of Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect Hussien El Achkar's game has earned praise from his Coates League coach.
El Achkar, viewed as a second round selection at the AFL Draft in November, has kicked 28 goals at Coates League level in a sometimes up-and-down 2025, where he also showed out for Vic Metro.
The front and centre, 171cm crumbing forward's ability to find different ways to goal is well established, and he demonstrated his nose for the big sticks in a one-off game for Essendon VFL, kicking three goals.
But it's another skill that has pleased Calder coach Sam Willatt in 2025.
“We've followed a similar trajectory for ‘Huss' to what we did with Isaac (Kako) last year.
“We know what he can do in front of goals but it was looking at what he could do higher up the ground.
“We wanted to get him the ball up the ground, he's such a good field kick, it's probably underrated because of how good he is in front of goal, but he's so clean when he gets the ball.
“When he's getting a lot of score involvements, we're usually winning.
“As a half forward at the next level, he'll do a lot of unrewarded running which he was able to do this year.
“He's as fun to watch as anyone I've coached.”
Willatt also praised fellow Essendon NGA prospect Adam Sweid, who is likely to attract a bid in the first round after a consistent campaign where he has averaged 25 disposals and five tackles in the Coates League, split between midfield and attack.
“I personally see him starting his career off half forward,” Willatt said.
“He did that really well in National Championships and with his natural midfield tendency he can get higher up the ground so I see that as the natural evolution up to the next level and he can hit the scoreboard too.”
Another reason for Essendon fans to get excited is the quick development of bottom-aged NGA prospect Blake Justice.
Justice is the Cannons' only player who will line up in the U17s Futures game on the MCG on AFL Grand Final day after playing 15 Coates League games in 2025.
The 190cm prospect has averaged 18 disposals playing across all three lines this season – an impressive effort given he was injury-interrupted last year.
He was particularly influential in the U17s trial game for Vic Metro at Casey Fields last month.
“He has power and at 190, gives us a point of difference in the midfield.
“I think mid-forward is probably his best position. If he can get his running capacity and strength to a point where he can play midfield, that would be great, but I also think we only scratched the surface with his forward stuff so I think maybe a hybrid, 50/50 forward/mid.
“I knew he had power and a really strong contest side early doors. What I've loved is his ball use.
“For him to take the game on and hit targets was a real development for him which was great to see.
“To combine his inside power with his kicking was really pleasing.”
The Dons also have highly rated Moustafa Darwish and Koby Bewick linked to the club in the 2027 draft, while Tevita Rodan is part of their academy and is draft-eligible in that year.
