A career-high performance from Isaac Kako has seen him become the fourth Essendon player to become an AFL rising star nominee this season.
The 19-year-old was lively right from the opening bounce on Saturday against the Gold Coast Suns, rewarded for his tenacious pressure and impact up the ground by getting on the end of a scoring opportunity early in the third term.
Kako had a career-high 17-disposal, five-tackle performance against the Suns.
As the club’s fourth nominee for the award this season (joining Archie Roberts, Nate Caddy and Angus Clarke), Essendon’s four nominations are the club’s most in a single season since it had five with the ‘Baby Bombers’ of 1993, the year the award was first introduced.
Kako is one of just eight Dons to feature in all 15 games so far this year, with his forward pressure and glimpses of brilliance in front of goal seeing him earmarked as a key component of the club’s future.
“My first year in the system has been really enjoyable and it does feel great to receive some recognition with the nom,” he said.
“I feel as though I’ve been putting together a pretty solid body of work across the season so far and I’m getting some reward for effort – getting to do it alongside this group of boys has made it an even better experience. We’ve got so much young talent on board at the moment and the fans should be very excited about the opportunities that’ll create for us.
“Joining Nate, ‘Robbo’ and ‘Pup’ as a nominee is a pretty nice touch. I’m keen to keep getting out there with those lads in the back end of the year and put in strong performances for the members and supporters.”
Kako is a product of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy.
Kako was the Bombers’ first selection of the 2024 AFL draft at pick 13, having played his junior football at the Northern Saints in the Essendon District Football League.
He represented the Calder Cannons in the Coates Talent League and played for Victoria Metro at the 2024 AFL National Championships.
