Essendon have handed last year's Pick 10 in the National Draft Nate Caddy a debut in the Dreamtime at the G' clash against Richmond on Saturday.
Forced to ply his trade in the VFL since landing at the Hangar, Caddy has been impressive in the reserves so far in 2024 as he waits for his opportunity.
Averaging 13 disposals, five marks and two tackles, the 18-year-old has also hit the scoreboard consistently, slotting 10 goals in his six outings so far.
With key forward Harrison Jones missing through a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on North Melbourne's Zac Fisher, the 18-year-old will finally don the red sash.
Heโs in.
Dreamtime debut for Nate ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/R0EK2lqfoZ
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) May 22, 2024
The Bombers traded up for Caddy, who was drafted as a dynamic forward with aggressive traits and craft around goal.
The nephew of Richmond premiership player Josh has been labelled as a "rare player" by his coach Brad Scott, who has been in awe of the youngster since joining the club.
"I think our supporters should get excited. He just strikes me as a player who the bigger the occasion, the bigger the moment, the more he thrives on it and they're the players you're looking for at AFL level because it's a brutal environment and it's tough," Scott said earlier this year toย AFL Media.
"As a key forward you only get moments, you very rarely get the perfect lace-out supply all game so you have to take advantage of the opportunities that you get. He's just an X-factor player โ he works really hard, he's got fantastic athleticism, attributes both in the air and on the ground and he makes something out of nothing."
Caddy will line up alongside experienced trio Peter Wright, Kyle Langford and Jake Stringer in the forward line as the Bombers look to make it four wins on the trot.
