Nate Caddy Proves Why Ignoring Him in the Draft Could Be the AFL’s Biggest Mistake

He’s only 19, still a few months away from turning 20, but Nate Caddy is already making AFL pundits wonder — did nine clubs just miss out on the next great key forward?

Essendon may have lost a thriller to the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night, but it was Caddy who walked away with the spotlight. The young gun kicked two crucial goals, collected 10 disposals, and showed maturity far beyond his years, asserting himself as a serious threat at the Gabba.

Fielding a squad averaging just 24.5 years of age and managing a long injury list, the Bombers still went toe-to-toe with the reigning premiers, even taking the lead late in the final term. But while the scoreboard eventually favored Brisbane, Essendon’s future looked a little brighter, thanks in no small part to their Round 10 draft pick from 2023.

Former AFL star and respected commentator David King couldn’t help but rave about Caddy’s work ethic and relentless presence. “He’s not just a match-day performer,” King said on SEN’s Fireball. “What he does at training — the way he gets to every contest — I haven’t seen that kind of hunger in a young tall forward in a long time.”

Drafted tenth overall, Caddy wasn’t at the top of everyone’s board — but perhaps he should’ve been. His performance has now sparked fresh scrutiny on the teams that passed on him. Fireball co-host Kane Cornes was blunt in his assessment: “Every club is desperate for a powerful forward, and they let this one slide. This is going to be one of those drafts we keep revisiting.”

North Melbourne, in particular, has drawn attention. Rather than drafting Caddy to pair with Nick Larkey, they opted for runners like Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma. King believes it may be their “biggest draft mistake in five years.” That decision forced them to trade heavily just to get a key position player last year — a move that may now look short-sighted.

The Bombers, meanwhile, are relishing the synergy between Caddy and his close friend and Next Generation Academy product, Isaac Kako, who also showed flashes of brilliance. From deceptive footwork to smart positioning, Kako is proving he’s not just along for the ride — he’s part of a potentially elite duo in the making.

“There are little things you see with these kids,” King observed. “The way Kako threw off Dayne Zorko with a stutter step — it’s instinctive. It’s the kind of move you see from seasoned pros.”

Even though the result left Essendon outside the top eight, there’s a growing sense that something special is brewing. With Caddy developing into a centerpiece and other young guns rising to the occasion, this season might be more about building belief than banking wins.

As the mid-season All-Australian buzz circulates and seasoned stars like Max Gawn chase their eighth blazer, it’s the next wave of talent — players like Caddy — that have fans and experts talking. Because sometimes, even in a loss, you witness a career’s beginning — and perhaps a league’s biggest draft regret.