Essendon JHA prospect Isaac Kako has been named as a forward pocket in the 2024 Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

The 18-year-old starred for the Calder Cannons across 12 games prior to a season-ending syndesmosis injury, booting 21 goals and staking his claim as one of the most exciting small forwards in this year's draft class.

Kako also impressed in his four matches representing Vic Metro this season, slotting three goals against Vic Country back in July for one of his best efforts of the campaign. Alongside him in the CTL Team of the Year was Bendigo key forward Jobe Shanahan, who made three appearances for Essendon's VFL side in the final month of the 2024 home-and-away season.

In other news across the JHA program, Cannons midfielder Jayden Nguyen's solid season was acknowledged with an equal-third place finish in this year's Morrish Medal, awarded to the best and fairest player in the Coates Talent League competitions.

Nguyen featured 14 times for the Cannons in 2024, was named to represent Vic Metro on three occasions and also made his VFL debut for the Bombers in the final round victory over Coburg back in August.