Essendon has reportedly handed a training invitation to Camberwell product Hudson O'Keeffe for when the Bombers return to Tullamarine next year.
The Bombers have finalised their short-term return for pre-season training for the year, with Brad Scott's squad set to hit the track again on January 9.
A number of new faces have alright lit up the Hangar since joining the Bombers this off-season, with first-round draftee Elijah Tsatas and Next Generation Academy graduate Anthony Munkara among those gaining attention early into the pre-season.
The Bombers are said to have had former Western Bulldogs player Brad Lynch and Western Australian key forward Reuben McGuire training under Scott as potential Supplemental Selection Period acquisitions.
Former Hawthorn and Collingwood wingman Tom Phillips is also said to be training at Essendon after joining their VFL program, with a potential AFL lifeline on offer to the 26-year-old should he impress.
Overlooked draft talent Mitch Szybkowski is also set to join the Bombers in the new year, and won't be the only fresh face doing so next month.
According to AFL.com.au reporter Josh Gabelich, the Bombers have handed O'Keeffe, a 202cm ruck prospect, an invite to their pre-season program.
O'Keeffe was highly rated leading up the this year's draft, impressing for the Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro as an athletic key position prospect.
The training addition of O'Keeffe, along with Lynch, McGuire, Phillips and Szybkowski, comes as Essendon move father-son draftee Jayden Davey to the long-term injury list for 2023.
Davey suffered an ACL injury early into his 2022 campaign and was eventually recruited by the Bombers as the 54th overall pick in last month's National Draft despite the setback and lack of action.
His absence will open an AFL chance for one of Essendon's train and trial players, with the Bombers hoping to uncover the next Nic Martin, who had an immediate impact at AFL level after joining Essendon less than 12 months ago through the SSP.
AFL clubs will have until February 15 to sign players through the SSP, with at least half the league having open list spots ahead of the new season.
Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Richmond, Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs all join Essendon in having one vacant list spot for 2023, while St Kilda have two vacancies.
