The Bombers are excited to welcome Jaiden Hunter to the club following tonight’s 2023 Mid-Season Draft. 

With Pick No.9 in the draft, Essendon selected the key forward from Perth Football Club to increase their attacking stocks.

At 196cm, Hunter is a threat up forward with a strong presence and contested marking ability. 

The 21-year-old has kicked 11 goals across his three WAFL games this season, including a five-goal haul against South Fremantle on the weekend. 

Hunter has had limited opportunity at state league level throughout the past two years, recently with an ACL injury that cost him the entire 2022 season. 

In 2020, Hunter stood out during his WAFL Colts year while demonstrating his versatility throughout Western Australia’s Under-18’s All-Star campaign. 

National Recruiting Manager Rob Forster-Knight,

“Jaiden is a very athletic player, 196cm tall and very competitive while also having the versatility to play down the other end, if needed, which was also very attractive to us,” Forster-Knight said.

“He has missed a bit of footy over the past couple of years but the way he has returned to football at league level has been very impressive, cementing his spot as a key forward and hitting the scoreboard,"

“In time, we think he can really complement some other players we have on our list and we know he will work hard once at the club.”