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Essendon have had a major injury crisis in season 2025, with the large number of injured players including (from left) Mason Redman, Kyle Langford and Sam Draper.Credit: Photos: AFL Photos. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac
If Draper, grounded for the remainder of 2025 with an Achilles injury, insists on a five-year commitment, he is more likely to leave. Should that happen, the Dons will earn another draft pick, potentially at the end of the first round (subject to the offer he accepts).
Veteran Dylan Shiel, who crossed from GWS on a lucrative long-term deal in 2018, is out of contract at season’s end and given that he has spent weeks in the VFL, despite the injury carnage (albeit he was brought back for Thursday night’s game), it will not be surprising if he is moved on.
Dylan Shiel has struggled for senior game time this season.Credit: AFL Photos
Todd Goldstein, 37, is another veteran who cannot be assured of being at Tullamarine next year, considering the club’s needs and ruck stocks. Nick Bryan, 23, is the other ruck on the list.
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Essendon also have two next generation academy prospects they can claim in the national draft, Hussein El-Achkar and Adam Sweid, who was close to best afield for Victoria Metro (four goals, 10 score involvements) in the under-18 carnival game against the Allies. El-Achkar booted three goals in the same game.
It is conceivable that Sweid and El-Achkar will consume some or all of Essendon’s second-round choices, if they choose to match bids, though it is far from clear what level of bids either would attract.
The Bombers, thus, may well have to make room for four or five draftees, plus any mature recruits they acquire in the trading period. Archer May was given an 18-month contract when drafted, so his position on the list is assured, but the Bombers may also retain other mid-season draftees.
The path under Scott has been heavily youth-based, excepting the end of 2023 when they signed free agents Ben McKay, Jade Gresham and Goldstein, and traded in Xavier Duursma.
The Crows and Lions have been able to attract high-end talent from other clubs, the Crows gaining Izak Rankine and skipper Jordan Dawson – their two premier players – and also Isaac Cumming and James Peatling from GWS and Alex Neal-Bullen for this year.
The Bombers, if they follow the Crows, would need to snare some A-grade talent from trades, not simply the draft – a difficult task for any club that is some distance from contention, though Essendon are an easier sell, by dint of their huge fan base and marquee matches, than many rivals.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Essendon have had a major injury crisis in season 2025, with the large number of injured players including (from left) Mason Redman, Kyle Langford and Sam Draper.Credit: Photos: AFL Photos. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac
If Draper, grounded for the remainder of 2025 with an Achilles injury, insists on a five-year commitment, he is more likely to leave. Should that happen, the Dons will earn another draft pick, potentially at the end of the first round (subject to the offer he accepts).
Veteran Dylan Shiel, who crossed from GWS on a lucrative long-term deal in 2018, is out of contract at season’s end and given that he has spent weeks in the VFL, despite the injury carnage (albeit he was brought back for Thursday night’s game), it will not be surprising if he is moved on.
Dylan Shiel has struggled for senior game time this season.Credit: AFL Photos
Todd Goldstein, 37, is another veteran who cannot be assured of being at Tullamarine next year, considering the club’s needs and ruck stocks. Nick Bryan, 23, is the other ruck on the list.
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Essendon also have two next generation academy prospects they can claim in the national draft, Hussein El-Achkar and Adam Sweid, who was close to best afield for Victoria Metro (four goals, 10 score involvements) in the under-18 carnival game against the Allies. El-Achkar booted three goals in the same game.
It is conceivable that Sweid and El-Achkar will consume some or all of Essendon’s second-round choices, if they choose to match bids, though it is far from clear what level of bids either would attract.
The Bombers, thus, may well have to make room for four or five draftees, plus any mature recruits they acquire in the trading period. Archer May was given an 18-month contract when drafted, so his position on the list is assured, but the Bombers may also retain other mid-season draftees.
The path under Scott has been heavily youth-based, excepting the end of 2023 when they signed free agents Ben McKay, Jade Gresham and Goldstein, and traded in Xavier Duursma.
The Crows and Lions have been able to attract high-end talent from other clubs, the Crows gaining Izak Rankine and skipper Jordan Dawson – their two premier players – and also Isaac Cumming and James Peatling from GWS and Alex Neal-Bullen for this year.
The Bombers, if they follow the Crows, would need to snare some A-grade talent from trades, not simply the draft – a difficult task for any club that is some distance from contention, though Essendon are an easier sell, by dint of their huge fan base and marquee matches, than many rivals.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
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