Essendon midfielder Elijah Tsatas has again put his best foot forward in the nation's premier reserves competition, notching 30 disposals and seven clearances in the Bomber's VFL preliminary final loss at Box Hill's hand.
Box Hill ran out 13.17 (95) to 13.10 (88) winners, with Tsatas the most prolific ball-winner on Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
It's a timely reminder of what Pick 5 from the 2022 National Draft is capable of, even if, for whatever reason, dominant VFL performances have seldom transferred to a comfortability at AFL level.
Damage and quality of disposal have been knocks on Tsatas, still only 21, and he failed to put those criticisms to bed against the Hawks, with only two score involvements stemming from his 30 disposals and nine inside 50s.
Still, Tsatas remains earmarked as one to watch in Monday's J.J. Liston Medal count, such has been his play at the level this season. It would be a handy accolade as he looks to extend his AFL career, potentially out of Essendon's famed sash.
In recent times, speculation that the Bombers have finally run out of patience with the youngster has reached fever pitch, with inbound coach Mark McVeigh addressing it in the media before he had his legs under the desk at the Hangar.
If it is to be that Essendon is no longer the best environment for the Wesley College product, North Melbourne have long been linked to a play for his services, while his boyhood club, Richmond, have a particular need for players of Tsatas' experience and age demographic.
