Essendon youngsters Nik Cox, Archie Perkins and Harry Jones are “legitimate chances” of debuting in Round 1, according to Bombers football boss Josh Mahoney.
The trio all got their first taste of senior football during Essendon’s scratch match against Carlton on Thursday.
“I think all three would be legitimate chances (to play Round 1),” Mahoney told Sportsday.
“What’s even more impressive from those three and our other first-year players is they missed a whole 12 months of footy last year.
“To come in and off the back of six or seven weeks of training – their first game today (Thursday) was their first game for over 12 months – they’ve adapted very quickly and the exciting thing for Bombers fans is these guys are improving every week.
“Every week at training they’re doing new things.”
Mahoney hinted that Jones could partner recruit Peter Wright inside forward 50 for Essendon’s season-opener against Hawthorn.
Wright, who arrived at Tullamarine from Gold Coast, kicked two goals against the Blues and is set to spearhead the Bombers’ attack in 2021.
“He’s at that age (24), he’s had 60 games under his belt, didn’t play an AFL game last year … he wants to take a bit of responsibility," Mahoney said.
“He’s got that opportunity in our forward line. We need to find a partner for him and that’s potentially where Harry Jones could play.
“All we’re asking from Peter is to give us a contest, use his big body, and we know when he does get the ball in his hands, he’s very accurate.
“He had a good hit out today, he played second ruck and kicked two goals. If he can do that each week, we’ll be pretty pleased.”
Essendon play Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in the AAMI Community Series on March 6 before their Round 1 clash with Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on March 20.