Essendon’s General Manager of List & Recruiting made a big play to deliver the club Nate Caddy on the opening night of the 2023 AFL Draft.
Northern Knights forward Nate Caddy joined the Bombers after a trade with Geelong saw the Dons part ways with pick 31 to move up from pick 11 to pick 10.
“We were really looking to improve our front half this year” Dodoro told media at Marvel Stadium.
“We really were looking for another big forward. A guy that can attract the ball”.
“He’s a boy that won’t die wondering. He wants the moment” he said.
“He’s got a couple strings to his bow. We think he can do that Stringer role if needed”.
Dodoro said the club sees Caddy as key part of their future, with the VIC Metro forward keen to get to work as he pushes for a senior debut in 2024.
“Just talking to him, he’s got that enthusiasm, that desire to play straight away. We’re really confident that he’ll put his hand up at some point next year but there’s no pressure”.
“He’s for the future and I think it’s a really smart pick by the club” Dodoro said.
Caddy has received comparisons to Coleman Medallist and Carlton forward Charlie Curnow, with his marking ability up forward standing out to recruiters as Caddy described himself as a ‘power forward’.
“He’s good above his head, he’s got a good tank. He’ll add pressure to our front half” Dodoro told media.
“Not saying his Curnow, these mobile forwards are really important to have and he just complements a guy like Peter Wright and Langford”.
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Geelong was set to pick between Caddy and Murray Bushrangers defender Connor O’Sullivan, with the ‘sweetener’ of pick 31 enough to get the Bombers over the line to land Caddy.
“We knew that the Cats were going to think about him or probably Connor O’Sullivan” he said.
“The ball was firmly in their court. Both clubs are rapt”.
“We targeted him, we wanted him, so go for it. That’s what we did” Dodoro said.
The Bombers have now welcomed five new faces to club so far this offseason after Ben McKay, Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham all committed through free agency, while Xavier Duursma crossed to the Hangar via a trade from Port Adelaide.
“It’s been apart of the overall strategy” Dodoro revealed.
“Ben McKay has come in as a key defender, Gresham, Duursma you know mid-forward, half back, obviously Goldy”.
“We’ve gone to a primary list of 38 next year which we haven’t had for a few years.”
“That in itself makes us a stronger squad so there’s been a real squad mentality” he said.
Entering the second night at pick 39, Dodoro said the club would welcome at least one more draftee to don the sash on Tuesday night.
“We’ll just reassess tomorrow morning, take stock”.
“We’ll take one player tomorrow night, maybe two” he said.
“We’ve only got two more list spots available and we may look to play the longer game and go rookie or SSP”.
The Bombers will enter 2024 with a stronger and more mature playing group heading into Brad Scott’s second season as head coach.
“I think last year we probably dropped away with a bit of depth and a lot of young players on the list so the organic growth in the young guys, plus bringing on some experienced players and getting an exciting talent tonight, hopefully the future is looking good”.
