The 19-year-old has played just three senior games for Essendon but, with Jason Laycock out nursing a foot injury, has been given plenty of pre-season opportunity.
“Tom has been playing in the ruck in the NAB Cup and he’s doing a good job, we’re really happy with his progress,"" Hamilton said.
""He’s only a second year boybut we think he’s got a lot of potential and he will get the opportunity tomorrow night to go up against McIntosh for North Melbourne.
""If he can play really well, we know that the Port Adelaide Round 1 ruckmen are two of the best going around in the AFL, so it’s a chance for Tom to put his best foot forward.”
""The navicular stress fracture has completely healed, but Jason has had a bit of a reaction so with that sort of reaction you can't do very much at all. You just wait, put it in a moon boot and let healing take its course,"" Hamilton said.
“Jason was hopeful to be up and running by now, (but) he has just had setback after setback during the pre-season. Unfortunately we don’t have any other choice but to rest him for four weeks.
""After four weeks, we’ll take it from there. Hopefully we can build him up and get him playing before too long.""
