Essendon will be a major player at this year's AFL Draft, carrying two of the first six selections into the count as well as having a third first-round pick and two exciting club-tied talents.
A trade with Melbourne last year saw the Bombers pocket the Demons' opening pick for 2025, while compensation for the loss of Sam Draper further bolstered their suite of selections for night one of the draft.
Essendon's drafting looks to have turned a corner in recent years, adding Nate Caddy, Archie Roberts, Isaac Kako and Angus Clarke in the past two intakes alone.
With a trio of first-round picks and some matched bids to come within the top 40, here's how Essendon's draft plans could take shape.
Draft Hand
Picks: 5, 6, 21, 27, 30 (5162 Points)
The Bombers have gotten themselves in a sensational position for this year's draft, where they'll get two bites of the apple in the top 10 before using their remaining points to match bids for Academy prospects.
Next Generation Academy kids Adam Sweid and Hussien El Achkar are estimated to fetch rival bids in the 20-40 range of the draft, with the former a potential first-round selection. Sweid is a promising midfield-forward prospect who rose throughout the year, impressing with his Vic Metro commitments. His Calder Cannons teammate, El Achkar, is one of the leading small forwards in this year's draft, booting 28 goals in 11 Coates Talent League games.
Pick 21 will be pushed back and forth in the queue before the first night of the draft is completed, with Essendon likely given the time to assess whether to split that pick for more points or grab a teenager still on the board.
List Needs
Best Available: Drafting twice in the top 10, Essendon will likely look to stick to their draft rankings when they come on the clock. The double dip of picks will give the Bombers some flexibility, which might make a split decision easier on their second pick if they do need to weigh up one position or the other. At the Pick 5-10 mark of the draft, the best available options are likely to be midfielders, however there could be a key position name that slips to their opening spot, or they could use their second shot on a prospect outside of top 10 calculations to suit a certain need.
Key Position Boost: Whether it's a key forward force or a defensive stopper, the Bombers could - and perhaps should - be looking to add to their tall options via this year's draft. As mentioned, they might find themselves in a tricky spot of the queue, with some of the best key positions prospects potentially off the board or tied to another club by the time they come on the clock. Do they turn their attention to the later rounds of the draft, or hold out hope the perfect fit slides to them in the top 10. There's still every chance they use one of those first two picks on a key forward, adding to a haul that will likely include a midfield boost.
Line-Breaker: A player who can offer some dash and speed across any line of the field will be attractive to Essendon, who have lacked that drive through the middle of the ground this year. Archie Roberts gave the Dons some burst from the back, so perhaps some additional pace in midfield might be on Essendon's wish list? The current ensemble of the club's midfield mix is a touch too contested, with captain Zach Merrett having to be the one shifted to a half-back post given the limited flexibility possessed by the likes of Sam Durham, Jye Caldwell, Darcy Parish, Will Setterfield and Ben Hobbs. A midfielder who can roll through the middle but also be placed on a flank or the wing would nicely suit the Bombers' long-term midfield plans.
Potential Targets
Sam Cumming: The North Adelaide forward-midfielder will be right in Essendon's sights with either Pick 5 or 6, with Richmond looming as their biggest threat should the Dons be chips in on the South Australian. Cumming enjoyed a strong year across his commitments with the Roosters - both at the U18s and SANFL level - the AFL Academy and in SA's undefeated National Championships run. A powerful 186cm hybrid player, Cumming is capable of being a forward target who is damaging at ground level and in the air while also being a solid midfield option.
| 9 RANK |  | Sam Cumming North Adelaide Midfielder/Forward HEIGHT: 186cm | + |
Cooper Duff-Tytler: The Calder Cannons big man could be off the board by the time Essendon get to their first pick, with both West Coast and Richmond showing some level of interest. There is still a strong chance the 200cm forward-ruck utility is available to Essendon though, with Duff-Tytler a good fit given his versatility as a key position player. A three-goal VFL debut with the Bombers saw the two parties form a promising partnership as Duff-Tytler added to a sensational draft campaign to be viewed as a likely top five selection.
| 5 RANK |  | Cooper Duff-Tytler Calder Cannons Ruck/Forward HEIGHT: 200cm | โถ+ |
Sam Grlj: The Oakleigh Chargers speed machine is another who could earn a selection from Richmond, placing Essendon in a wait-and-see spot if they're keen on Grlj. What is know is the teenager's ability to break lines and punish the opposition with his pace and run through midfield. Capable of slotting into a non-midfield role too, his outside hustle would complement an inside-heavy cohort of ball winners under Brad Scott.
| 10 RANK |  | Sam Grlj Oakleigh Chargers Midfielder HEIGHT: 182cm | โถ+ |
