ESSENDON was one of the key players at this year\u2019s AFL Draft, continuing to accelerate its rebuild with three quality additions in the first round. The Bombers were forced to pass up on one Next Generation Academy (NGA) talent, but picked up another among their haul of five draftees.<\/p>\n
>>\u00a0EVERY PICK:\u00a0National Draft<\/a> | Rookie Draft<\/a> DRAFT HAUL<\/p>\n NATIONAL DRAFT:<\/p>\n Pick 9. Sullivan Robey<\/a> >>\u00a0CLICK each player\u2019s names for full profiles & highlights<\/p>\n While this year\u2019s crop has copped its fair share of flack for a lack of depth, Essendon \u201creally believed\u201d in the top-end of the draft and wanted as much access as early as possible. That meant trading in for Carlton\u2019s pick nine to make it a trio of top-10 selections, which ended up being nine, 10, and 13.<\/p>\n After being overlooked by Richmond, Sullivan Robey<\/a> was the first name called out by Essendon. The 192cm physical beast came on strongly in the back-end of the year, and that kind of development also saw West Australian Jacob Farrow<\/a> selected with the very next pick.<\/p>\n Between the pair, there is plenty of upside and power. The Bombers now have a grunt midfielder who can go forward, and a smooth-moving defender with scope to also play through the middle. Rounding out the top-end trio was Larke Medallist Dyson Sharp<\/a>, the most pure onballer of the three.<\/p>\n The Bombers were hopeful but not 100 per cent sure Sharp would make it past Melbourne\u2019s consecutive picks, and had several notable offers from clubs targeting the South Australian. Opting to keep the pick obtained via Carlton, they landed a second childhood supporter who they ranked very highly.<\/p>\n Essendon\u2019s only other call to make on night one surrounded NGA graduate Adam Sweid<\/a>, who walked to Fremantle with pick 25. The Bombers could not match at that stage without entering points deficit, but would later snap up Hussien El Achkar<\/a> after Richmond\u2019s bid at pick 53.<\/p>\n El Achkar bolsters the Bombers\u2019 small forward stocks and is a pure goalsneak likely to run amok alongside fellow academy product Isaac Kako. He got a look-in at VFL level this year and has had the luxury of training with the senior group, so should fit in seamlessly.<\/p>\n
>>\u00a0100+ PROFILES:\u00a0View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide<\/a><\/p>\n
Pick 10. Jacob Farrow<\/a>
Pick 13. Dyson Sharp<\/a>
Pick 36. Max Kondogiannis<\/a>
Pick 53. Hussien El Achkar<\/a><\/p>\n