Essendon are set to welcome Tex Wanganeen, the son of club great Gavin, to Tullamarine this off-season on a training basis.
The 18-year-old will be hopeful of landing one of the Bombers' remaining AFL list spots for 2022 after not being nominated as a father-son selection with either Essendon or Port Adelaide this off-season.
Injuries and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on junior competitions curtailed Wanganeen's exposure to recruiters, seeing the Oakleigh Chargers prospect miss out on a selection at last week's National and Rookie Drafts.
With two list spots remaining, Wanganeen will stand a chance to gain a spot on the Bombers' list via the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period early next year after gaining a train and trial role with the club, as revealed byย AFL.com.au'sย Callum Twomey.
Tex Wanganeen, the son of Essendon and Port Adelaide champ Gavin, has been invited to train at the Bombers through the pre-season supplemental selection period. He was overlooked at last week's drafts, but spent some time training with the Bombers last pre-season. @AFLcomau
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) November 30, 2021
The Bombers are also set to hand Northern Territory product Ronald Fejo Jnr a training opportunity for the pre-season, with the West Adelaide midfielder also to fight for one of Essendon's remaining list spots.
Subiaco forward Nic Martin has also reportedly earned a training invitation for the coming months, according toย The West Australian'sย Jordan McArdle.
Martin trained with West Coast ahead of the 2021 season alongside Cedric Cox and Will Collins, with the latter drafted to the Eagles via the Mid-Season Rookie Draft before being delisted after no appearances in the AFL.
Subiaco forward Nic Martin invited to train with Essendon, East Freo pair, East Perth bull in the mix at West Coast. Both clubs have one rookie spot up for grabs in SSP period. https://t.co/KdFcPDVKmq
— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) November 30, 2021
Now Martin firms as a chance to gain a list spot in the top flight with Essendon after a stellar season with Subiaco, booting 37 goals from 25 games in the WAFL.
The 20-year-old will be hoping to join teammate Greg Clark, who was recruited to West Coast through the National Draft on Thursday, in landing an AFL contract for 2022.
Western Australian trio Josh Browne, Tom Joyce and Kade Dittmar are understood to be in consideration for training invitations from West Coast, according to McArdle.
