On Thursday night, Brisbane secured a win against Essendon, but the focus of admiration shifted to young Bombers forward Nate Caddy. At just 19 years old, Caddy delivered a breathtaking overhead kick that captivated the Gabba crowd, despite Essendon’s struggle to pull off a major upset against the heavily favoured Lions.
With betting odds exceeding $8 against them and predictions of a potential 10-goal loss from Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd exacerbated by the team’s injury woes, the initial stages of the match seemed grim for the Bombers. The Lions surged ahead by five goals by the end of the first quarter, appearing primed to fulfil expectations of a lopsided game.
However, not to be outdone, Essendon rallied back, showcasing a tenacious spirit and pulling to a level score of 58-58, buoyed by Caddy’s spectacular goal that electrified fans. Commentators were left in awe, with Jason Akermanis, a Brisbane legend, playfully attributing Caddy’s skill to his youthful blonde hair and lauding the beauty of the goal. Fellow commentator Kane Cornes almost lost his voice in delight, stating, “I’m blushing, we’ve just fallen in love with this kid”.
Even Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko acknowledged the brilliance of Caddy’s goal, exclaiming he couldn’t believe his eyes and predicting a bright future for the young player. Drafted at pick No. 10 in the 2023 draft, Caddy is already being hailed as one of the AFL’s most promising key forwards. His performance against seasoned opponents like Jack Payne and Harris Andrews was applauded for its confidence and skill.
Essendon’s coach, Brad Scott, heaped praise on Caddy, noting that he showcased tremendous ability on the field. Scott remarked that the performance was not only highlighted by the spectacular goals but also by Caddy’s overall athleticism and competitiveness against top defenders. He pointed out that it’s rare for a 19-year-old to excel in such a demanding role, particularly with the challenges posed by a struggling forward line.
Despite an impressive comeback and even taking the lead in the fourth quarter, Essendon ultimately fell short, with Brisbane scoring three late goals to clinch the match by 18 points. Nonetheless, the spotlight remained on Caddy, whose remarkable talent left fans and commentators eagerly anticipating his future in the AFL.