Essendon has successfully matched a first-round bid to secure talented forward Isaac Kako with pick No.13 in the 2024 Telstra AFL National Draft.

The 18-year-old was bid on by Richmond early in the draft, with his ties to the Bombers as a James Hird Academy product allowing the club to match the bid and select Kako in exchange for picks 33 and 34.

A lifelong Bombers supporter who’s trained at the NEC Hangar via the JHA since the age of 13, Kako now continues his journey in red and black with the opportunity to fulfill his AFL dream.

Touted as a prospective first-round selection for much of 2024, Kako’s last two seasons at both representative and national level have highlighted his enticing skillset as a small forward.

As an underage player for club affiliate Coates Talent League side Calder Cannons in 2023, Kako slotted 22 goals from 11 games, including a season-high haul of seven goals against the Northern Territory.

The 175cm forward backed up his promising year with another strong campaign in 2024, representing Vic Metro in the National Championships and playing a key role with three goals in their one-point victory over Vic Country in the carnival decider at Marvel Stadium.

Despite having his year cut short by a syndesmosis injury, Kako was named in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year and selected as an All Australian to cap off an exciting season at both levels.

More to come.