Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect Blake Justice is set to play his first game of the season next Saturday against Northern Knights.
The Calder Cannons utility has been sidelined with a hamstring injury so far in 2026, but remains firmly on the AFL Draft radar after a strong bottom-aged campaign.
Despite his absence, he was named in Vic Metro's squad for the Under-18s National Championships.
It is understood that he would have been a strong chance to play this weekend if the Cannons played a Talent League game.
Vic Metro played Vic Country in a trial game on Sunday and the decision was made that it would be preferred for him to return through the Talent League before playing at the higher level.
Justice has spent time training at Essendon throughout 2026.
The Bombers look all but certain to finish in the bottom two with three games and percentage separating them and 16th-placed West Coast, allowing them to get a top-end talent before considering matching a potential bid on Justice.
The Cannons take on the Knights at Preston City Oval at 11am on 13 June.
Vic Metro plays its first official game of the Under-18s National Championships on Saturday 20 June against Western Australia, with subsequent games played on 28 June, 3 July and 19 July.
