By Michael Gleeson
For bursts last week in match practice, forward Nate Caddy found himself on the ball, where his habit of running far more than necessary caused great amusement for teammate Kyle Langford.
But Caddy was not there by mistake.
With midfield burst player Jake Stringer traded to GWS, the Bombers were sampling other big-bodied forwards who can be disruptors in their midfield.
Essendon forwards Jade Gresham, Kyle Langford and Isaac Kako. Credit: Chris Hopkins
Caddy is one of the best runners at Essendon, so coach Brad Scott moved him up the field as part of a forward rotation to introduce a dynamic power player on the ball. It was not a resounding success – Caddy’s excited running does need refinement – but nor was it a failure.
Next week it might not be Caddy thrown into that role. It might be Archie Perkins, or Harry Jones or Langford for that matter. But it will probably be someone.
Forward Nate Caddy is an excellent runner in AFL terms, so the Bombers have begun educating him about playing in the midfield.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Nate and myself both finished top five in the two-kilometre time trial. Harry Jones is another elite game-day runner, so all of a sudden you have got three of us kind of hybrid tall-forwards that are considered elite runners,” Langford said.
“There’s definitely scope to play further up the field, and Nate, generally clocks up about 16-17 kilometres on game day. But with Nate, it’s just learning to run smart. You don’t have to run that far, mate! I think there’s really good flexibility within our side.”
That flexibility has seen players thrown around this pre-season, and Langford admits the changes have left some young players flat at being asked to play uncustomary roles.
As a leader of the club, Langford was not shy about speaking up to make sure his younger teammates understand versatility was a virtue.
“Some of the younger players are a little bit frustrated at the moment because they’re being thrown around to different positions. And I’m constantly saying that, to me, that’s one of your biggest strengths because you’re not pigeonholed in one position, and it’s just going to make you a better player,” Langford said.
“It’s one of those things where some of the players just have to drop their ego because they want to be an inside mid, or they want to be a full-forward. I think it’s take on what’s best for the team and try and take the learnings you can and just go with it.”
Langford learnt that lesson the hard way. Early in his career as a forward, then coach John Worsfold told him he saw him as a midfielder and he spent more than a year in the VFL learning the position.
“I definitely sulked at the time,” Langford said.
“I think I spent about 12 months, 18 months there, and really had to learn my midfield craft. That definitely made me grow up as a footballer, as a person, very quickly. A lot of tough conversations. Now in hindsight, it’s definitely the best thing that could have been for my development.
“I think if you continually play average football as a forward and I don’t learn that stuff that I did learn, well, I don’t know whether I’d be playing the football I am today.
Nate Caddy is the centre of attention as the Dons horse around during a photo shoot.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“I understand there’s a bunch of boys on the weekend they’re pretty flat because they’re playing roles that they weren’t drafted for or didn’t play as a kid. But it’s having an honest conversation, saying let’s see the silver lining in this.”
With new forwards coach Cam Roberts and a new-look forward line – minus Stringer and the 42 goals he booted last year (he kicked 21 in 2023) – the Bombers want to have a less predictable set up.
“I guess it’s a little bit challenging at the moment, how we will look as a forward line. I don’t really know what it’ll look like, which is the exciting part. It’s super competitive down there,” Langford said.
“[Isaac] Kako is an awesome addition. I can see why our recruiting department did what they did. You can already see the talent. The way he acts around the club, he’s super professional … and then he’s got the talent. He is so fast, so skillful.
“I think if we can get 20-30, goals out of Nate, out of Kakk, Perko [Archie Perkins], although we’re missing you can say the 40 goals [from Stringer], I think there’s so many other players who can step up and chip in.
“Nate [Caddy] is only going to grow and build on what he did last year. I think as a forward line group it’s really exciting.
“Like with Hawthorn last year, when you get that belief and camaraderie among the group, and it’s definitely something you see with the younger players. I think there’s no ceiling in what we can do, but there’s no guarantees.”
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