Essendon 2025 Draft Preview: List Needs, Positional Depth & Best 23 Analysis
- Ian Hume
- 1 day ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
With the 2025 AFL National Draft fast approaching, Essendon’s List Management team faces another pivotal test. After a year of progress from young players and frustration in the medical room, the Bombers now turn their attention to building a list capable of pushing deeper into finals contention.
In this analysis, we take a detailed look at Essendon’s current list, breaking down every line across the ground to assess positional depth, player development, and where the next wave of talent needs to come from.
Each player has been placed into one of 11 categories: covering all forward, midfield and defensive roles. And rated for their likelihood of being part of the Bombers’ best 23 in 2026.
We’ve also factored in age, injury outlook and recent list changes to identify the areas Essendon must prioritise at this year’s National Draft.
Each player has also been given a rating based on the below criteria:
Lock: Starts the season in the best 23
Match Up / Circumstantial: Will play in this position depending on a favourable matchup or due to other circumstances
Likely: Player who is more likely than not going to be in the best 23, but not locked in
Fringe: Player who is more likely than not going to be outside the best 23, but can push in with a strong pre-season.
Developing: Inexperienced player of promise that needs development time
Delisted: No longer on Essendon's List
Players have also been rated on the basis of full fitness to give a best case scenario view, even if they won’t be ready for the start of the year because of injury (eg. Nic Martin). I have also included the players delisted from Essendon’s list so as to get a sense of the positions Essendon may be looking to add depth to given the decisions made in this off-season.
You can watch this in video form on our YouTube Channel, or read below.
Essendon Forwards
Key Forwards:
Players who play the anchoring role in the forward line and generally have the opposition’s best key defenders on them.
Lock:
Nate Caddy
Peter Wright
Fringe:
Archer May
Liam McMahon
Developing:
Kayle Gerreyn
Nate Caddy is the Essendon player on the list with the most superstar potential and has already shown some of that at AFL level and projects as a 10-year lock as a lynchpin of our forward line. Peter Wright’s form last season was solid and played an effective role as a relief ruck - this flexibility will most likely see him line up in Round 1. He's not an All-Australian calibre Key Forward, but recent history suggests that he could play a Ben Brown type role in a Premiership forward line.
Archer May and Liam McMahon are inherently speculative given they were taken as mid-season draft picks. Both have shown promise, but have clear elements of improvement required in their game if they are going to make it long term. Kayle Gerreyn as a young tall will need time to develop, but has not shown any concrete signs as yet of being AFL Standard.
Draft Need - Medium.
Only have Nate Caddy as a long term option that looks like a lock. Cooper Duff-Tytler is an enticing option if he is there, but there are other greater list needs that would preclude trading up the order to get him given the potential cost.
Medium Forwards:
Forwards of a flexible size, although generally can’t hold down the number one option.
Lock:
Kyle Langford Likely:
Archie Perkins
Fringe:
Harry Jones
Tom Edwards Developing:
Archer Day-Wicks
Kyle Langford had an injury-interrupted year in 2025, but he still remains a quality forward that kicked nearly 100 goals between 2023 and 2024. His flexibility may see him play in different roles given the needs of the side however. Perkins teases a lot, but has probably been at his best when he can play as a third tall forward as a really dangerous matchup, both in terms of kicking inside 50 or as a forward target.
Harry Jones is Key Forward height, but has never played a key forward role, more a floating style player that is icing, not cake. Tom Edwards could easily leapfrog the two above him if he comes back strongly from his injury whilst Archer Day-Wicks has talent, but is extremely raw.
Draft Need - Medium
Similar to the key forwards, there’s not too many set and forget players here given Kyle Langford is getting close to 30.
Small Forwards:
Players that play a key offensive and defensive role, being creative around goal, being the link in the chain in ball movement and critical to restricting opposition’s transition from half back.
Lock:
Isaac Kako
Likely:
Jade Gresham
Matt Guelfi
Developing:
Rhys Unwin
Delisted:
Ben Hobbs
Jye Menzie
Oskar Smartt
Alwyn Davey Jnr
Isaac Kako went from strength to strength in 2025 and really grew into the side, showing particular ability up the ground. Jade Gresham does his better work up the ground around the contest and hasn’t been as effective as a goalkicker, whilst Matt Guelfi has done some good defensive stopping roles, but often has games where his impact is minimal. Rhys Unwin has some tricks, but is a fair way off being a consistent AFL player at this stage.
Four players playing in this role were delisted in 2025 - Hobbs, Menzie, Smartt and Davey Jnr.
Draft Need - High.
Small forwards have become one of the two or three most important positions on the ground. The best sides have 2 or 3 top line ones, whereas we only have one top line one in Kako and our next two highest rated ones in Gresham and Guelfi might not even be on the list in 2027. The need to find at least one more high quality one is of great need for the Bombers. Particularly a type that can play as the deepest small forward, someone who generally gets under 10 possessions, but kicks close to 2 goals per game and is defensively sound. The four delistings in this area suggests that the Bombers are looking at filling this need in this year’s draft. The two NGA boys in Sweid and El-Achkar can both fill this spot, but if Essendon does trade some of its picks in the 20s into the teens and a Lachlan Dovaston is available, he would be too good to pass up there to help us address this need.
Essendon Defenders
Key Defenders:
Key defenders anchor the back six. In modern AFL systems, their ability to intercept and launch counterattacks is as valuable as their one-on-one work.
Lock:
Ben McKay
Zach Reid
Match Up / Circumstantial:
Jordan Ridley
Fringe:
Lewis Hayes
Lachlan Blakiston
Developing:
Kayle Gerreyn
I have Ben McKay ranked slightly ahead of Zach Reid at this stage, but that could easily switch if Reid comes back in the form he showed in 2025. Ridley can play tall in situations, but with McKay and Reid available it’s not his ideal position.
Lewis Hayes showed enough that, when fit, he’s next in line behind McKay and Reid whilst Blakiston grew into the role as 2025 progressed, although he’s more suited as a ruck. Gerreyn played some VFL as a defender at the end of 2025 and may continue there in 2026.
Draft Need - Low.
Although there are injury concerns, there’s enough talent between McKay, Reid and Hayes, with all three being 27 years and younger, to suggest that this role is not a necessity for the Bombers in the near future.
Medium Defenders:
The Swiss army knives of defenders. Can play above or below their height, are good intercepters and ideally have either good disposal or leg speed.
Lock:
Jordan Ridley
Mason Redman
Likely:
Angus Clarke
Depth:
Jaxon Prior
Developing:
Zak Johnson
Delisted:
Jayden Laverde
Jordan Ridley, in an ideal world, gets to play on the third best forward, can peel off to intercept and is aggressive with his disposal and can play as the perfect medium forward. Mason Redman’s last few games in 2025 were back to his best as he found the balance of attack and defence that he missed in his past two seasons.
Difficult rating here - Prior was dependable and brave last season, as well as durable, but Angus Clarke offers a higher ceiling, even if the floor is below Prior’s at the moment. Clarke would also form part of a wing rotation. Zak Johnson has the quality of disposal Essendon needs in this part of the ground, but needs to work on the other aspects of his game if he is to become a best 23 player.
Draft Need - Medium.
Not the biggest requirement at Essendon, but if someone like Xavier Taylor is available at our first picks he would certainly bolster this position.
Small Defenders:
Play on the small forwards of the opposition. Hugely important in today’s game due to the impact of smalls both inside 50 and heading up the ground. The ability to win contests at ground level is crucial for a small defender.
Lock:
Andrew McGrath
Archie Roberts
Fringe:
Saad El-Hawli
Developing:
Jayden Nguyen
McGrath is one of the best small defenders in the competition, although he may not end up playing there given his form in the midfield in the back half of 2025. If he does play as a midfielder, then Jayden Nguyen moves up to fill that role - right now, he’s a circumstantial pick.
Archie Roberts went from strength to strength and is a best 23 lock, but needs to clean up his disposal to be a top level half back flanker. Essendon lacks pace which makes Saad El-Hawli valuable playing in this position, but needs to work on his defensive game and his transition positioning to get regular game time.
Draft Need - Low/Medium.
Mainly from a pace/quality disposal perspective, but wouldn’t be reaching at the top end for anyone in the national draft to fill this role. Maybe with later picks if we don’t match the NGA boys.
Essendon Midfielders
Ruck:
Playing as a number one ruck, someone who’ll take 70% or more of hitouts in a game.
Likely:
Nick Bryan
Lachlan Blakiston
Match Up / Circumstantial:
Peter Wright
Developing:
Vigo Visentini
Kayle Gerreyn
Delisted/Exited:
Sam Draper
Todd Goldstein
Even with Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein departing, there’s still enough depth here which is why Essendon didn’t go out and get a ruckman during the trade period. That said, it’s wide open as to who will be the number 1 ruck going forward.
Nick Bryan will go into the season as the number 1 rated ruck, but will be unlikely to start round 1, which gives Blakiston an opportunity to impress. Neither are locks at this stage. Vigo is raw, but will benefit from the exposure he got last year. Peter Wright always holds his own in the ruck and with the forward options Essendon has could play as a number 1 ruck if the three players ahead of him were unavailable.
Draft Need - Low.
Premiership teams have shown that high quality rucks are not a necessity and they can be brought in as the last piece of the puzzle when they’re competing. Would rather spend high end draft capital filling other needs.
**For the remaining categories, I’ve placed people in the areas where I think they best fit, although these are very fluid categories. Most of these players are also expected to fill roles forward and back in the modern game**
Wingers:
Different from outside midfielders, Wingers will be expected to be good endurance runners, fill holes forward and back, be links in the chain and hold width, even if that means they don’t get involved in the play for long periods of time.
Lock:
Xavier Duursma
Brayden Fiorini
Likely:
Angus Clarke
Match Up / Circumstantial:
Kyle Langford
Fringe:
Harry Jones
Saad El-Hawli
Nik Cox Delisted:
Luamon Lual
With the addition of Brayden Fiorini to Xavier Duursma, we now have two experienced wingers who contribute forward and back and can run all day. Clarke fits in as a wing rotation to provide a break, whilst Langford has played the position well in the past and could be forced up there to accommodate different forward line combinations.
Jones, El-Hawli and Cox have all played wing in the past two seasons, but have all had deficiencies in executing in these areas. Cox should almost be put in a wildcard category given we haven’t seen him for over a year and there’s no clear idea of what the plan for him is when he’s reintegrated into playing. Once Fiorini was traded in there was no spot for Lual.
Draft Need - Low.
With Fiorini at the club, the wing spots are filled for the medium term. There’s also lots of potential options on the list for this position.
Inside Midfielders:
Players that win first possession of the ball. Most of the time they clear congestion by hand or foot, generally to the quicker or more highly skilled players. Also need to play a defensive or blocking role.
Lock:
Jye Caldwell Match Up / Circumstantial:
Darcy Parish
Andrew McGrath
Delisted:
Ben Hobbs
Will Setterfield
At his best, Darcy Parish is one of the best 1st Possession midfielders in the competition, although he's not the Inside Bull that helps create space for other mids, it also takes him away from being able to play the transition midfielder role that he is best at. Jye Caldwell continues to improve in this role as well and can play lockdown, although not on the biggest opposition inside mids, he remains our only pure Inside Mid on our list, leading Essendon for Hard Ball Gets per game in 2025 and ranked 13th in the AFL, with 2.7 per game (Durham next with 2.4, then Parish 2.3) and behind only Darcy Parish (7.3) for 1st Possession with 7.0 per game.
McGrath played this role to a high level in the last few games of 2025 - where he lines up next season is going to be interesting. The delisting of Setterfield and Hobbs suggests that we are looking at the draft to get some high end talent through in this role as well.
Draft Need - High.
With question marks over whether Parish will get back to his best, and even beyond that, his best role, this is definitely an area of need for Essendon. Dyson Sharp almost the no-brainer pick if he’s available at pick 5.
In/Out Midfielders:
These players not only can win first possession, but either through speed, strength or agility can clear congestion with ball in hand and move into open space.
Lock:
Darcy Parish
Sam Durham
Frige:
Elijah Tsatas
Delisted:
Dylan Shiel
Sam Durham has come a long way from a mid-season draft pickup and now projects as a full time mid. Has the strength and quick first step to break from clearance, whilst also being strong overhead and dangerous forward. Nearly the complete package.
Tsatas projected to be this sort of player in his junior years, but we’ve never seen it at AFL level. Needs a big season.
Draft Need - High.
These are the types of players that win you matches (think Patrick Dangerfield or Dustin Martin types). This is what Sullivan Robey has shown in his handful of games that has him projected to go so highly. Even if there are questions about the competition he’s gone up against, this is the role that you take a gamble on, because if they come off they are hugely important. If Robey is off the board, Sam Cumming can also fill this role.
Outside Midfielders:
These players will play around the contest and may win their own ball, but more often than not they are receiving it from the inside midfielders. Quality ball use by foot is highly important in this role as these are the players that will be kicking the ball forward.
Lock:
Zach Merrett
Nic Martin
Developing:
Zak Johnson
Zach Merrett remains elite, although you wouldn’t bet on him being at Essendon long term given what happened this off-season. Nic Martin looked All-Australian quality as a midfielder before his knee injury and can be Essendon’s next A-grade mid if he comes back in the same form. Zak Johnson has the ball use for this role, but as a late pick is speculative at this stage.
Draft Need - High.
Essendon’s lack of quality outside ball use has let it down consistently. Someone like a Josh Lindsay, although he played more as a half back in his under 18 year, could develop into this outside distributor that Essendon has lacked for some time.
Conclusion
Essendon’s list has clear strengths. A stable key defensive core, versatile medium forwards, and emerging outside class on the wings. But the blueprint for sustainable improvement is obvious: the Bombers must inject more top-end talent through the midfield and greater potency at ground level in forward line.
At least two midfielders of different profiles and two genuine small forwards should be at the top of the draft agenda, with a fifth selection ideally targeting elite kicking or speed. With multiple early picks (5, 6, 21, 27 and 30), Essendon is well positioned to address both immediate needs and long-term list balance.
The next step is execution. The right mix of skill, pace and decision-making in this draft could finally give the Bombers the list profile that modern premiership sides are built on (development not withstanding).