In an Essendon VFL side brimming with young talent, the experience of Tom Toma stands out.

An accomplished local player fresh off a 2023 premiership with boyhood club Golden Square in the BFNL, football has taken Toma across the country with stints in the Central Murray and the Northern Territory leagues in the past.

With Essendon undergoing significant personnel changes in its VFL program, opportunities opened up for the 28-year-old to ply his trade at the NEC Hangar for the 2024 campaign.

“A couple of weeks before Christmas I got a phone call from (AFL Talent and Operations Manager) Matt Rosa, whose brothers are involved with my home club in Golden Square. There was a bit of a connection for me to come down and give it a shot, so I’ve just taken it with both hands from there,” Toma said.

A tenacious and hard-running midfielder, Toma’s workmanlike attributes opened the door for opportunities to join match simulation sessions and an intraclub game with the Dons’ AFL side over the new year.

Getting a run alongside new VFL recruit and former Golden Square teammate Ricky Monti, the experience has given Toma plenty to take back to the Bombers’ developing VFL squad.

“That was definitely a ‘pinch myself’ moment to be out there competing alongside some of the AFL guys. I wanted to soak up every bit of it and it was a great experience to take that into our own training sessions,” Toma said.

“It’s an exciting time for me personally, but also as a team with the fact that our list is quite young and has heaps of room to grow. As one of the senior boys, I want to instil some of that experience on the young blokes.

“It goes both ways in learning from the young fellas too, they can always give you a fair bit from growing up around different game styles and experiences, so along with the coaches we can all bounce off each other that way.”

Toma was a standout performer from the Dons’ first practice match against the NTFL Buffaloes in January, getting his hands dirty in the midfield against a group of former teammates and opponents from his time in Waratah.

With the new-look list of the Bombers gelling under Senior Coach Blake Caracella, Toma is relishing every chance for the group to establish strong relationships heading into the season, both on-field and off.

“We’re getting a heap out of travelling for our practice matches, not only in terms of how we’re bonding as our own side, but with the wider club by getting to spend time with people from the VFLW program and hanging out with their group. In making new friends and building those relationships, you learn a lot about each other which helps you both on-field and off,” Toma said.

“The fresh look (of the program) has been quite exciting, both for new guys like me and a few that have been on the list for a couple of years already. Everyone across the board has been bringing new ideas to the table and Blake’s philosophy has been awesome for everyone finding their best role in a game style that’s fun to play.

“I just want to play as many games as I can and keep my body nice and consistent. I’m aware of how good this opportunity is, and I want to make the most of it by enjoying every moment.”