Former Adelaide midfielder Jackson Hately has signed with Essendon’s VFL side for the 2024 season.
The 23-year-old joins recent signing Xavier O’Neill and newly appointed VFL Senior Coach Blake Caracella in committing to the Bombers for the upcoming season.
Hately is excited to build on his career in the red and black.
“The club is unbelievable, the facilities are great. I’m really excited to get stuck into it,” Hately said.
“Chatting with Essendon over the last few weeks, I feel like it’s the best opportunity for me on the field. There’s a sense of wanting to create a really strong VFL program, and that’s something I want to buy into.
“I’m really excited to play my best footy here.”
Standing at 191cm, Hately’s strong frame complements a terrific inside game, highlighted by a dominant 2023 SANFL season that saw him take home the Crows’ SANFL Club Champion Award and earn Team of the Year honours.
Initially drafted by the Giants with the 14th pick in the 2018 national draft, Hately notched 13 games in two seasons before requesting a trade back to Adelaide ahead of the 2021 season.
A career-best performance against the Cats in round 11 of the 2022 season saw Hately collect 27 disposals and lay eight tackles, showcasing his potential as a contested player.
Hately averaged 17 disposals per game across his 15 games with the Crows, impressing in limited midfield opportunities during his three years with the club.
Still in the early stages of his career, Hately will bring important physical presence to Essendon’s VFL midfield mix in 2024.
