Ridley Highlights Dons’ Summer Stars and Key Challenges Ahead

Bombers prepare to unleash fresh faces | 02:11

For years now, the Bombers have shown glimpses of a team capable of challenging — and beating — the best of the best.

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Some weeks, the sky has been the limit. Others, it’s been a struggle to maintain consistency when the stakes are at their highest.

So as Brad Scott’s men enter 2025, his Bombers are banking on steadiness within the group to bridge the gap between potential and performance.

The Tullamarine-based football club is coming off its most settled off-season on a player movement front since 2021, with only Jake Stringer (now at GWS) leaving or arriving at the club during the trade period. And as Jordan Ridley tells foxfooty.com.au, continuity is an invaluable asset for a club that has more or less teased top eight success since 2017.

“Continuity is such an important thing in the AFL,” Ridley begun by saying.

“That chemistry, and getting to know the guys you’re playing with and their tendencies really helps; especially when the pressure’s on, the crowd is loud and there’s nothing to fall back on but your instincts.

“It’s just building on what we’ve been doing over the last couple years. We’ve shown in patches that it works, but the challenge now is doing that on a consistent basis, on the biggest stage, against the best teams.”

Either side of a minor hamstring complaint late last month, the 26-year-old is about to complete his ninth pre-season at the club, having been present for the duration of his club’s rollercoaster ride either side of the top eight. He won’t be on the field for his side’s pre-season opener against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, but beyond the group as a whole, the superstar defender has been impressed with two emerging counterparts he’s worked alongside closely.

“Zach Reid’s been super. He’s an awesome size (at) 202cm, so he’s ruckman size but moves really well with an elite kick,” Ridley revealed.

“He reads the game really well, it’s just a matter of staying on the park for him. I’ve been really bullish on him as soon as he got to the club (at the end of 2020), so I’m hoping that we can string some games together out there this year.

“One (new player) less spoken about is Angus Clarke — his performances across the two 2km time trials were just incredible really; he blitzed all of us … he’s one to watch in the coming years.”

Reid receives medical treatment in his sole home-and-away match of last year, up against Hawthorn at the MCG on March 16, 2024 (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Highly touted my many internally at the Bombers, Reid has managed just nine games in four seasons at the club as injuries prevent the 22-year-old from taking the AFL world by storm. Taken at Pick #10 in 2020, the club alongside Ridley has seen his potential for years now as excitement around his talent builds exponentially.

Clarke meanwhile, was taken with Pick #39 only last November in the national draft. Skyrocketing up the draft order in the months leading up to his selection, the 18-year-old defender has evidently hit the ground running — literally — to catch the attention of more senior teammates.

As someone who spends the vast majority of his time in the defensive half, it makes complete sense that Ridley would be impressed by others in a close vicinity to him at training and match day. But the one player a defender sticks closer to than their teammates on game day or match simulation, is their direct opponent up forward.

“Nate Caddy’s another one who I play on (at training) a fair bit, he’s very difficult to play on. He’s quick, agile, mobile and very unique for a key forward. When he gets a run and jump, he’s very hard to stop,” said Ridley to foxfooty.com.au.

Nate Caddy in action during Essendon’s 2025 pre-season at The Hangar on January 16, 2025 (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

First-year Academy recruit Isaac Kako also received high praise from Ridley, despite playing far less on him at training given their differing heights and styles.

“He’s super quick and dangerous around goal. He’s really got a knack around goal that I don’t think you can teach.”

Essendon’s pre-season games officially begin this Saturday, with the Bombers trekking down to Whitten Oval to play the Western Bulldogs.

The first bounce is at 2pm, with four 25-minute quarters to be played with no time on.

ESSENDON’S FIRST FOUR GAMES FOR 2025:

Round 1: Hawthorn vs. Essendon @ MCG

Round 2: Essendon vs. Adelaide @ MCG

Round 3: Essendon vs. Port Adelaide @ Marvel Stadium