Essendon will get a closer look at two of its 2024-tied AFL Draft prospects in the VFL this weekend as NGA talent Noah Caracella and Next Generation Academy Jayden Nguyen make their state league debuts.
The pair will line-up for the Bombers' reserves on Sunday when they face Coburg at Piranha Park, with Caracella to play under his father Blake.
The Geelong Falcons product is eligible as a father-son at Tullamarine after his father played 126 games in the red and black, with Collingwood and Brisbane not eligible to bid on the teenager.
Noah has played 13 games for the Falcons in the Talent League this year, switching from the forward line to defence to average 12.3 disposals, 3.4 marks and 2.7 rebound 50s per game.
The 188cm talent will slot into a defensive unit comprised of AFL-listed backmen Lewis Hayes, Nick Hind and Tex Wanganeen, with the latter also showing good signs in his transition to the backline.
Nguyen, a member of the Bombers' NGA program alongside livewire small forward Isaac Kako, has represented the Calder Cannons, Vic Metro, the AFL Academy and featured in the Young Guns series in 2024.
The versatile defender played in three of Vic Metro's National Champiponships-winning U18s carnival, averaging 13.7 disposals and 4.0 tackles at the level.
Nguyen has been named as the 23rd player for Sunday's VFL affair, a role recently held by Bendigo Pioneers forward Jobe Shanahan.
Shanahan will play his third VFL game this weekend after having quite an impact on the Bombers' last two wins over Gold Coast and the Northern Bullants.
The mobile forward target has kicked six goals across his pair of stints and will suit up alongside Peter Wright in Caracella's forward half.
The Bombers named five changes for their clash with Coburg, with Will Setterfield, Alywn Davey,ย and Solly McKay joining Nguyen and Caracella as inclusions.
A win over the Lions could place the Bombers in a Wildcard Round position to end the home and away season, with Essendon four points off Richmond, who sit in 10th.
Sandringham and Sydney also sit ahead of the Dons, who would need a trio of matches to go in their favour while earning a significant percentage boost this weekend.
Essendon and Coburg will go head-to-head on Sunday at 1:05pm in Coburg.
