AFL Talent & Operations Manager Matt Rosa is excited by the prospect of bringing in a swath of young talent after securing more draft selections in this year’s trade period.

Essendon entered the 2024 Continental Tyres Trade Period with a key focus on bolstering its draft hand with an eye on securing draft position for this year and next.

After entering this year’s trade period with only two picks (9, 31) and one future first round selection, the Dons now hold seven draft picks for the upcoming national draft (28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65) and two future first round picks in the 2025 national draft.

Rosa says the Bombers have come away with the tools they need to acquire exciting talent and flexibility to trade for even better selections.

“Leading into this trade period, we only held the two picks in this year’s draft, we needed to try and find a way to get in more picks for this year,” Rosa told AFL Trade Radio.

“The way we looked at it over a two-year period, how could we give ourselves the best chance to give ourselves the best draft hand to acquire young talent.

“The exciting thing about being able to bring in the picks and two first rounders next year, is it gives us flexibility.

“We can hit the draft this year and next year, we can also look to do some trading within that or we can do a combination of both. We feel like it gives us great flexibility and now we can get to work on picking some good kids in this year’s draft.”

The Bombers’ only player move came with forward Jake Stringer moving to GWS for pick 53 on the final day of the trade period.

Rosa believes Stringer’s departure has created an opportunity for the Bombers’ younger core to step up, with one former top 10 selection singled out as a player who could fill a forward spot for next season.

“There will be opportunity for youth. We are going to be a reasonably young list next year so we’ll have some players which will need to step up,” Rosa said.

"Our forward line will evolve next year and we know the absence of Jake will present great opportunity to build a forward line around Kyle Langford, Nate Caddy, Harrison Jones and Peter Wright with the addition of our small brigade who will create great pressure and a dynamic look in our forward line," further added via essendonfc.com.au.

“Archie Perkins is someone who’s spent a lot of time through the midfield, but he’ll get to spend a bit more time forward. He’s one guy who can hopefully grab his opportunity.

“We’ll be still looking to improve our on-field results next year. As I said, there’ll be real opportunity for youth and that will bring excitement. We’re looking forward to our young guys stepping up.”