{"id":120923,"date":"2022-11-22T15:06:47","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T05:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=120923"},"modified":"2022-11-22T15:50:31","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T05:50:31","slug":"2022-afl-draft-preview-essendon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2022\/11\/22\/2022-afl-draft-preview-essendon\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 AFL Draft Preview: Essendon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WITH season proper and trade period done and dusted, AFL fans and staff alike now turn their attention towards the draft (November 28-30). The chaos has settled on player and pick swaps, and budding prospects have completed their combines, leaving a nervous wait until they learn their fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the next of our club by club previews, we take a look at Essendon\u2019s draft hand and offer insight into how the Bombers may utilise the picks at their possession. With pick four and a couple of father-sons on their way in, it looms as a busy few days for the Dons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022 FINISH:<\/strong> 15th<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CURRENT PICKS:<\/strong> 4, 22, 54, 61, 66<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FUTURE PICKS: <\/strong>ESS R1, ESS R2, ESS R3, SYD R4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACADEMY\/FATHER-SON NOMINEES:<\/strong>\u00a0Alwyn Davey Jr<\/a>, Jayden Davey<\/a>, Anthony Munkara<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mattaes Phillipou has risen into pick five favouritism | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems Essendon is into a range of powerful, dynamic midfielders with regards to pick four, hoping to add a point of difference to its current on-ball brigade. Pending what North Melbourne does with picks two and three, the Bombers could have a tough decision to make if George Wardlaw<\/a> or Harry Sheezel<\/a> are still on the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more likely scenario is they aren’t, and that Elijah Tsatas<\/a> is. The Oakleigh Chargers speedster is a good size and can play both sides of midfield, but recent chatter suggests the Bombers could lock in South Australian Mattaes Phillipou<\/a>. At 190cm, his athleticism and ability to shift forward loom as promising assets in the top 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere, Bailey Humphrey<\/a> and Reuben Ginbey<\/a> are players in high demand around the Bombers’ hitting zone and certainly has the traits the club is likely after. West Australian powerhouse Elijah Hewett<\/a> has also garnered interest but will likely land later in the first round, so could be a target should the Bombers trade down the order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REMAINING CROP:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fate of the Bombers’ remaining crop largely revolves around where bids for the Davey twins, and Anthony Munkara<\/a> are placed. Both Sydney-based clubs could be in for Alwyn before Essendon’s second-rounder, which would be the worst-case scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should the Dons squeeze in a pick before that, they may look towards a bid on Giants Academy talent Harry Rowston<\/a>, or perhaps more smalls like Olli Hotton<\/a> and Jacob Konstanty<\/a>. Given they are guaranteed to cover midfield and small forward needs already, it could be a case of taking the best available talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down the order, with one third round pick and two in the fourth, Essendon will have to utilise its last selection to take Jayden Davey. That makes for a likely haul of four players, and the Bombers will hope Munkara squeezes out of the top 40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KEY QUESTIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Will Essendon spring a surprise with pick four?
– Will Essendon use pick four to move down the order?
– Will the Alwyn Davey Jr bid come before pick 22?
– Will a bid for Anthony Munkara come within the top 40?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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