Former Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd provides his analysis of how some of the young Bombers are tracking.

Joe Daniher

“He going really well, he learnt a lot this year.  Last year he kicked 28 goals for the season and he’s at 29 goals with seven rounds to go, so he’s on track for a 40 plus season and he’s also played plenty of time in the ruck – probably more than ever before.”

Zach Merrett

“I think Zach Merrett would be the biggest positive to come out of the season so far.  You’re looking for ‘A-grade’ players, not good solid players when you recruit them and I think Zach’s proven this season that he can become an elite player of the competition.” 

Shaun Edwards

“He’s a real excitement machine but hopefully come next year, he’s a regular fixture of the side and you can count him in for a couple of goals a week and assisting someone else to get a couple of goals as well.” 

Jackson Merrett

“I think he’s proven that he’s in the best 18 in my opinion, so he’s been another real plus for the Essendon Footy Club in the second part of the year.  He’s got beautiful skills which the club is crying out for.”

Nick O’Brien

“I think it’s been a great last month for him.  I think he’s shown that he’s good enough and with another strong pre-season he should try and aim for 22 games next year.  Some players just find the footy … and I think he’s one of those players.”

Jayden Laverde 

“He looks really tough.  You can see he’s up for the fight.  He’s still probably learning as a half forward, some of the tricks to find bit more of the footy when it can be quite congested in that area of the ground.  I think he’s pretty exciting, great above his head and we saw with that goal he kicked, he’s a nice long kick as well.”