“He’ll love it”: Essendon debutant ready for baptism of fire

As an 18-year-old making your AFL debut on Friday Night Footy, in front of 90,000-odd fans, against an arch-rival in Hawthorn, you could be forgiven for feeling a tad overawed. 

That won't be the case for Essendon's Dyson Sharp, however, with the first-gamer's SANFL coach telling Zero Hanger the midfielder will rise to the occasion.

"It's such an exciting game for him to be a part of, given the history of those two clubs," said Paul Thomas, who coaches Central District.

"He'll be fine, he'll love it.

"He's a natural footy player who just loves playing footy and with his mates, and that's how it looks he's ingrained himself at the Bombers, from an outsider looking in.

"I've got no doubt he will relish it, enjoy it and have heaps of support from the Barossa Bulldogs, all the way to the Centrals Bulldogs, and everywhere in between." 

Sharp told the Essendon website he can't wait to run out for the club he barracked for.

"To have 'Scotty' (Brad Scott) say that I'm debuting was a really special moment - it still feels surreal to be honest," Sharp said. 

"There is a lot of hype around Round 1, so it was always in the back of my head that I wanted to be part of it. I'm very grateful for the opportunity, and I just can't wait to out there, hear the crowd and hopefully get my first touch. 

"Growing up it was a dream of mine, not just to play an AFL game for any club but to wear the sash. I was barracking for the Bombers when I was little, so to know I'll be able to do that on Friday night in front of my family, friends and fans is pretty special."

A 188cm inside midfielder, Sharp was selected by Essendon at pick 13 in the 2025 AFL Draft.

He captained South Australia in last year's National Championships. After tallying 27 disposals and five tackles per game over his four appearances, and leading South Australia to its first title since 2018, Sharp was named the Larke Medallist and captain of the Under-18 Boys Championships All-Australian Team.

"He is super clean, he makes good decisions and rises to each level that he happens to step up to," Thomas explained. 
"And he's just a bloody good team-mate.
"I noticed in the trial games he played a mix of forward and midfield. I think we'll see him play those positions, which is what he played at SANFL level. As a 17-year-old, he had a big impact up forward, and then as a mid, he also impacted the game.  
"In the Under-18 Champs, when it's age for age, he was the best midfielder in the country."
Sharp will be one of three debutants for the Bombers, with Max Kondogiannis and Huss El Achkar also to play their first game.