2024 AFL Draft prospect Jobe Shanahan will pull on an Essendon jumper on Saturday for what will be his VFL debut.
Saturday's contest against the Northern Bullants won't be Shanahan's first time donning the red and black this year, with the 194cm teenager training under Brad Scott during the pre-season as part of the AFL Academy program.
Shanahan was one of 20 prospects to train with an AFL club ahead of their 2024 campaign, with the likes of Jagga Smith (Richmond), Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane) and Josh Smillie (Hawthorn) also getting a first-hand look at elite-level training.
Among the leading crop of teenagers out of the Bendigo Pioneers, Shanahan will be the latest of this year's draft stars to make the step up to the VFL level, with Smith and Suns Academy prospect Leonardo Lombard among those to feature in the state league, having represented Richmond and Gold Coast respectively already this year.
Fellow Bendigo Pioneer James Barrat represented Essendon's reserves in their five-point win over Sandringham last week - a game that saw St Kilda NGA talent Adrian Cole feature for the Zebras - but won't line up again for the Bombers this week.
Shanahan has been named as the 23rd man for Blake Caracella's side and will feature in a forward line consisting of AFL-listed Bombers tall Peter Wright, who was dropped from the senior side this week after a poor run of form. Veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein and former top 10 draft selection Archie Perkins have also been named in the VFL.
The Moama product has played nine games for Bendigo this year in the Talent League, averaging 12.6 disposals, 5.0 marks and 3.2 inside 50s, while his 17 goals for the season are the second most for the Pioneers this year.
Shanahan also featured in all four of the Allies' games at the U18s National Championships, with his best performance coming last month in a narrow loss to Vic Country, with the craft forward booting three goals from 16 disposals and nine marks while also amassing 445 metres gained.
His strong form at the carnival led to an All-Australian selection for Shanahan, who was named at half-forward in a front six that also included Essendon NGA talent Isaac Kako and Vic Metro MVP winner Murphy Reid.
Kako could be considered for a VFL debut before the season is finished, with the Bombers having three games left in a campaign that won't see them play finals.
This weekend's clash at Cramer Street will see the Bombers face the last-placed Bullants at 2:05pm (AEST) on Saturday.
Other 2024 draft prospects Lombard (Gold Coast), Sam Marshall (Brisbane) and Logan Smith (GWS) have been named for this weekend's VFL action.
