Discarded Adelaide midfielder Jackson Hatley has joined Essendon's VFL team for the 2024 season.

The 23-year-old was cut from the Crows this off-season after three seasons and West Lakes and five years in the AFL system, having first joined the league as a first-round pick for GWS.

Hatley left the Giant at the end of the 2020 season following a 13-game stint and would add a further 15 games to his career during his time with Adelaide.

The versatile midfielder played just one game under Matthew Nicks this year, with his predominant time at the SANFL level seeing him earn a Team of the Year selection and a top-10 finish in the Magarey Medal for the Crows' reserves.

The onballer is now making the venture to Tullamarine, signing with Essendon's VFL program for next season.

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“The club is unbelievable, the facilities are great. I'm really excited to get stuck into it,” Hately said in a club statement.

“Chatting with Essendon over the last few weeks, I feel like it's the best opportunity for me on the field. There's a sense of wanting to create a really strong VFL program, and that's something I want to buy into.

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Shane McAdam, Joshua Rachele and Jackson Hately of the Crows celebrate during the 2022 AFL Round 06 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at Mars Stadium on April 23, 2022 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I'm really excited to play my best footy here.” 

The acquisition of Hatley adds to the Bombers' recent signing of former West Coast midfielder Xavier O'Neill, who joined the Dons' VFL squad last week.

Essendon's VFL side finished 17th on the ladder this year, recording five wins from their 18 matches.

The club recently appointed Blake Caracella as their new VFL senior coach for 2024.