New recruits bolster 2023 VFL list

Returning and new faces help drive VFL resurgence.

Two ex-AFL players have joined Essendon’s expansive VFL list ahead of round one.

With the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season fast approaching, the final touches are being made on the Dons’ list.

Leigh Tudor has returned for his second stint as VFL senior coach and has been impressed by his players’ competitive pre-season.

“We’ve had a lot of guys put their hands up to try and make the VFL list spot and a lot of guys that want to come back from last year, so it’s been really competitive for list spots,” Tudor said.

“The boys are training really hard, and they’re really keen.”

Joining the team are ex-AFL players Tom Phillips, who played 115 games between Collingwood and Hawthorn, and Brad Lynch who played nine games with Western Bulldogs.

Also joining the side is Murray Bushrangers ruck-forward, Toby Murray and East Fremantle utility Jack Cleaver who cracked all three WAFL grades in 2022 and has been training with the AFL squad.

“Tom Phillips, Brad Lynch, Toby Murry, they’ve all come into the club and been really good,” Tudor said.

The team will be looking to build on momentum from the end of last season, winning eight of the 10 final games.

Tudor is determined to educate his side with the one-club mentality, incorporating AFL senior coach Brad Scott’s methods to their game plan this season.

“There’s quite a bit of difference to the game style this year,” Tudor said.

“We’re doing a lot of educating on the way Brad wants to play, the VFL will play exactly the same, we’ll use the same language, so we’re working on that with our VFL players at the moment.”

Essendon will play its first practice match on Sunday, March 5 against reigning Premiers Casey at the NEC Hangar ahead of round one on March 26.