Two honourable losses to the Lions and Carlton over the last fortnight has Essendon supporters feeling optimistic about not only a late finals push, but the immediate future ahead.
Sitting 10th with a tough run home, developing young forward Nic Martin has been at the forefront of the Bombers’ midseason turnaround, slotting three goals over the last two weeks alongside a monster 32 disposals against the Blues in Round 13.
Martin makes part of a promising contingent of future stars under third-year coach Brad Scott, and he firmly believes fellow forward Nate Caddy could develop into a top five talent based on what we’ve seen so far.
The 24-year-old Martin was quizzed about his Top 3 players by Kane Cornes and David King on SEN on Friday, listing Jeremy Cameron, Max Gawn, and Nick Daicos, before being asked about the potential for rookie Nate Caddy to one day be included.
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“Yeah. He’s an absolute freak that kid. Some of the stuff he can do is so funny,” Martin answered.
“Watching him in preseason, he’s taking one-handers, jumping on people’s heads... I just thought, this kid is incredible. The fact he’s been able to replicate that at the AFL level, he’s got a lot to go and a lot of improvement, which is scary to be honest with you.”
In a season that is starting to highlight which names the Bombers and Scott can build around, Caddy has so far lived up to the hype as a first round draft pick, booting two goals in the loss to the Lions after kicking three only a few weeks earlier against the Swans.
Still only 19, Caddy’s limber 193cm frame poses a challenge this week for a Geelong outfit that has held opponents to the fifth-fewest goals in the competition, while the Bombers will be out to make a statement after being held ot 60 points or less in their last two clashes with the Cats.