Essendon’s bumper draft haul could feature as early as the season opener against Hawthorn, according to senior coach Ben Rutten.
Armed with their own selection, free agency compensation for Joe Daniher and the pick received from Carlton for Adam Saad, the Dons picked up three top-ten draftees in 2020.
Nik Cox and Zach Reid are athletic backmen set to inherit the key defensive duties from veterans Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker, while Archie Perkins is a damaging midfielder-forward.
“They certainly are (in the frame),” Rutten told SEN Breakfast.
“Perkins and Cox in particular have done most of the training since they got here.
“Reid had a bit of a foot hiccup which has cost him a couple of weeks, but he played in a scratch match we had the other day and he looked really composed.
“It looks like we’ve got a real player on our hands there.”
With Hurley fighting a leg infection and no timeline on his return, and Hooker set to feature at both ends, there will be plenty of minutes available in which the young pillars can establish themselves.
“Cox and Perkins will certainly get some opportunities in the next couple of weeks to be able to fit into our team, and hopefully we’ll see Reid against Geelong,” Rutten revealed.
The former Crows defender believes the trio represent the Bombers’ future after Daniher, Saad and Orazio Fantasia all departed The Hangar this offseason.
“It’s disappointing to lose players off your list, but it doesn’t come without opportunity and some real excitement for us going forward.”
The Bombers will travel down to GMHBA Stadium to face the Cats in their AAMI Community Series fixture on March 6.