Essendon Next Generation Academy talent Hussien El Achkar has been named as one of five inclusions for the Bombers' VFL match with Brisbane on Friday.
El Achkar has risen into first-round calculations for this year's National Draft off the back of strong outings for the Calder Cannons and Vic Metro.
Alongside fellow NGA Bombers prospect Adam Sweid and potential Pick 1 selection Cooper Duff-Tytler, El Achkar has been stellar for the Cannons in his draft year.
The 171cm small forward has kicked 10 goals in his trio of appearances in the Coates Talent League this year from an average of 14 disposals per outing, while he could've had a significant afternoon against the Young Guns in April, but was inaccurate in front of goal.
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A creative ground-level threat in the front half, the 18-year-old will get his first look at VFL action when the Bombers' reserves head to Queensland to face the Lions.
Tied to local club Pascoe Vale, El Achkar played a pair of games at the senior level for the Essendon District Football League outfit, booting three goals.
He'll join Mid-Season Draft addition Liam McMahon, Jack Peris, Riley Leedham and Jordan Busuttil in coming into the Bombers' state league side, with Elijah Tsatasย and Zak Johnson both featuring in Brad Scott's side this week, while Saad El-Hawli has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
A host of players in the running for this year's AFL Draft have also stepped onto the state league stage, with South Australian midfielder Dyson Sharp (Central District), Western Australian captain Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle) and Queensland trio Koby Coulson, Max Hudson and Cooper Collins (all Gold Coast) are among thoses to have appeared for their senior sides.
Last year, Essendon had linked pair Noah Carcella and Jayden Nguyen feature in their VFL side, with the latter being drafted to the Dons last November, while West Coast addition Jobe Shanahan had a trio of appearances for the Bombers.
Essendon's VFL side will face Brisbane's reserves at Brighton Homes Arena at 12:05pm (AEST) on Friday.
