Essendon youngster Jayden Davey is keen to get onto the field for the Bombers in 2024 after a "tricky" past two years, with twin brother Alwyn also setting his own goals for his second year in the red and black.
The sons of 100-game ex-Essendon forward Alwyn Davey snr, the teenage pair had contrasting experiences in their first year in the AFL system. Jayden is continuing his recovery from an ACL injury sustained in March last year, while his brother played 10 games under Brad Scott this year after making his debut in Round 1 against Hawthorn.
A lengthy spell on the sidelines is expected to come to an end in the new year for Jayden, who is continuing to train on a modified program before a planned return to full fitness after the upcoming Christmas break.
Having missed almost his entire draft campaign and subsequent rookie season with the Bombers, the 19-year-old is ready to take to the field for the Dons.
Speaking to media this week, Davey said he's hopeful a debut at either VFL or AFL level isn't far away, with the promising forward ready to end a long recovery process.
"It's going well, I'm taking it step by step. Hopefully I'll be out on the field very soon," Davey said of his recovery.
"Just after the Christmas break (I'm hoping to be back in full training). Fingers crossed I'm out there running with [Alwyn] sometime soon.
"I've handled it well. At some stages it has been tricky, always wanting to be out there with him.
"There's a fair bit of jealousy when he's out there on the field and playing while I'm just sitting on the bench.
"But together we have a strong connection and we've built that over the last couple of years and he's helped me get through rehab."
Alwyn jnr showed plenty of promise at the elite level this year after joining the Bombers as the 45th selection at last year's AFL Draft, kicking four goals and averaging 7.5 disposals in his maiden season with Essendon.
The Palmerston product spent time in Darwin with his family and has used the off-season to look to add some size and strength ahead of his sophomore season at Tullamarine.
The message from coaches has remained the same, however, with senior coach Brad Scott wanting the brother pairing to enjoy their football and play off instinct.
"One of my focuses is to get stronger and try not to get pushed around as much at the contest," Alwyn said.
"That was one of the things I did work on over the off-season and hopefully it can all work out in the season upcoming.
"(The coaches have said) to just play the best footy you can and play it as a junior, just have fun. [Brad Scott] is happy with how both Jayden and I are progressing and to see what the upcoming season brings us."
Essendon's 2024 season is set to commence against Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday, March 16 as part of the Round 1 schedule.