STRENGTHS:

+ Competitiveness
+ Dare
+ Versatility
+ Speed

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Composure
- Kicking on the run

Essendon fans were buoyed by an excellent all-round showing by Bombers Next Generation Academy member Jayden Nguyen at the state draft combine. The small utility achieved top five finishes in the 20m sprint (2.897 seconds), agility test (8.126 seconds), standing, and running vertical jumps.

Speed has long been a central part of Nguyen's game. He's a strong runner who dares to take the game on with every possession, driving his legs and stepping through traffic as he pleases. While sometimes he can run into trouble with one too many risks, he is capable of catching the opposition flat-footed.

While relatively small and lightly frames, Nguyen seemed to pack on a good bit of size during preseason and is highly competitive. Such a nature helped him stand out and earn a call-up to the National Academy as an injury replacement player - though that step-up looked quite a challenge at the time.

Nguyen was tested in a variety of roles throughout the year. Having cut his teeth on the wing, he found a home across half-back but was also trialled up forward and through midfield. He knows where to find the footy and has athletic traits applicable in each third of the ground. Execution and decision making will be the main areas for him to polish up at the top level, likely in the red and black.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS: