Highly-touted draft prospect Elijah Tsatas looks destined to be a top-10 pick in next week’s National Draft.
The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder has been likened to Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli and is ranked at number four in Cal Twomey’s phantom form guide on AFL.com.au.
With father-son Will Ashcroft set to join Brisbane at the top of the draft, pick-one holders GWS have been linked with forward Aaron Cadman, while North Melbourne - who hold picks two and three – are reportedly keen on Vic Metro duo George Wardlaw and Harry Sheezel.
Next up is Essendon, with Tsatas seeming a fair chance to head to Tullamarine.
Given the links to the Bombers, Tsatas was asked whether he’d like to don the red and black in 2023.
“It’d be unreal to play for the Bombers,” Tsatas told SEN Afternoons.
“Obviously, I know a few of those boys you mentioned earlier, Harry and George, pretty well.
“To play for the Bombers would be awesome, but wherever it falls I’m just super keen to get stuck in.
“Hopefully I get that opportunity, but to answer your question I’d love to be a Bomber.”
With Brad Scott taking over from Ben Rutten at Essendon, Tsatas was asked if he’d met with the new Bombers coach in his pre-draft interviews.
“No, I’m meeting him tonight which is pretty exciting,” Tsatas revealed.
“They’re coming over to my house for a meeting, so that will be good.”
While many have Tsatas billed to go to Essendon, he says he hasn’t been given much indication by clubs of where he’ll land and will be happy to see his friends Wardlaw and Sheezel get taken early.
“There are a few indications here and there,” Tsatas said.
“But the clubs don’t give much away … probably not too much of an indication but I’ll be super happy for the other boys, I’m pretty good mates with them both.
“It’ll be really exciting hopefully playing on them next year.”
Tsatas and other first-round prospects will hope to be taken on the first night of the draft which takes place on Monday, November 28.