Essendon hopeful Tom Edwards did his AFL chances no harm after slotting four goals in the pre-season hit-out against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday at the Whitten Oval.
Edwards is vying for the final list spot on the Bombers' list, going up against former listed player and defender Kaine Baldwin.
On a windy and difficult day for football, Brad Scott's men got their 2025 campaign off to a flyer, defeating the highly talented Bulldogs outfit by 19 points, albeit with many of their stars absent from the contest.
The Swan Districts product - who booted 39 goals in 19 matches last year - entered the match at the beginning of the second half and made an immediate impact.
Bombers SSP hopeful Tom Edwards pressed his case for a spot on Essendon's list with a four-goal outing ๐
๐ฅ: Kayo Sports/Fox Sports pic.twitter.com/wzoeHtktR2
— AFL (@AFL) February 15, 2025
Edwards starred in the forward line alongside Nate Caddy, Isaac Kako and Peter Wright, while Kyle Langford was absent from proceedings.
At the other end of the field, Baldwin impressed in defence, featuring next to the injury-prone Zach Reid and midfielder-turned-defender Dylan Shiel.
The 22-year-old looked sure in the backline and matched up against the likes of Aaron Naughton and youngster Jordan Croft.
Donning the red, white and blue for the first time was fellow pre-season supplemental selection (SSP) fancies and VFL stars Dom Brew (Werribee) and Brayden Crossley (Southport).
Brew has been training with the Bulldogs since last year in a bid to join the top flight as a bullocking midfielder which saw him claim the state-league's highest individual honour in 2024.
The Werribee captain was clean at times throughout the trying conditions and stood up in the contest, playing largely as an inside midfielder.
As for Crossley, Bulldogs fans saw the ruckman given the majority of minutes as All-Australian Tim English was on limited minutes, coming up against Essendon duo Sam Draper and Nick Bryan.
The Southport ruck didn't shy away from the contest and showcased his impressive tap work against AFL-listed players, putting him in the frame for an AFL lifeline.
It is believed that if the Bulldogs were to choose between the two Crossley would get the nod over Brew given the lack of depth in the ruck department and the constant injury cloud English places himself under.
The 2024-2025 Supplemental Selection Period will run through to February 21, with clubs able to keep list spots open in favour of next year's Mid-Season Draft.
