Housemates to the ‘G? Essendon pair eyeing early season debuts

Jacob Farrow, Dyson Sharp and Sullivan Robey did not know each other prior to the 2025 AFL National Draft.

Save for passing greetings at the AFL Draft combine and ahead of the AFL Draft, they had not spoken to one another, each from different states with a unique background. 

In January, they moved in together, providing an important stable base for Western Australian Farrow and South Australian Sharp.

“He's very tidy, cleans up after himself, his room's always clean, keeps the bathroom clean and when it's his turn to cook, he goes alright,” Sharp said of Farrow.

“Thanks mate, wasn't expecting that!” Farrow replied.

“We're both clean freaks. As long as we make it easy for each other, that keeps everyone happy.”

Sharp: “I feel like we've found our feet now and it's starting to feel like home. We always get on the X-Box and Playstation together so it's good, I couldn't ask for two better blokes to live with. It's grown us three closer together and it also helps having someone that also moved away from home. It allows you to connect with someone in the same situation so the move has been beneficial for me."

The collegiate nature of representative teams in the AFL's talent pathway makes the likelihood of three players barely encountering each other unlikely, but Farrow and Robey burst onto the scene later than most.

Their relationship has blossomed in the new year and Sharp and Farrow are widely tipped for early season debuts after strong pre-seasons. 

Both played in the AAMI Community Series win over St Kilda, Sharp looking polished with 15 disposals and Farrow catching the eye with 11 touches. 

Both played senior footy last year but are expecting a big step up.

“I just have to grab hold of the opportunity when it comes, but no doubt it will be a special night, but there's always pressure to perform so I'll make sure I'm only pinching myself in the warm up and I'm ready to go for the first bounce,” Sharp said.

Many expect Robey would be around the mark too, if not for a back injury interrupting his pre-season. Positively, he has returned to full training this week.

While he has been on the mend, Sharp has leant on Darcy Parish as he has assimilated seamlessly into the midfield mix on the track.

“(Parish has) been massive for me, especially as a young kid growing up, you look up to elite on-ballers and he was one of them,” he said.

“To be able to share the training track with him has been amazing. His professionalism and character has taught me a lot. 

"I'm starting to see big improvements in the gym and running and the tactical side of the game as well.

“I've tried to be a sponge around him and learn what he does on and off the track. If I can have half the career he has, I'd be pretty happy.”

Farrow has had a strong complement of players to lean on, with skipper Andy McGrath, the experienced Ben McKay, leadership group member Mason Redman and rising leader Archie Roberts all in the backline.

Their faith in him has given him the confidence to show off his lethal kicking, which has caught attention across pre-season.

“I definitely want to take my kicking into the big games and it's always been a strength coming through so I have to stay confident knowing that's my biggest weapon and I won't shy away from it,” Farrow said.

“I feel like all the work I've put in over pre-season with (head of high performance) Matt Innes and the team has really prepared me and given me the confidence in my body to go out and perform when I get the opportunity. When that is, time will tell, but I definitely do feel confident in my body that I'm confident to take that next step.”

The players were speaking at the Bombers launching a new multi-year partnership with global financial platform Airwallex. 

“Both the Bombers and Airwallex are in a period of exciting transformation. While they are building the future of global finance, we are building the future of our football club,” Essendon president Andrew Welsh said.

“It was vital for us to align with a partner that values speed, innovation and community. Airwallex won't just be a prominent part of our guernsey, they will provide the tools to help our club run more efficiently as a modern sports business."