Tex Wanganeen – the son of AFL legend Gavin – has been snapped up on a rookie contract weeks out from the start of the 2022 season.
Wanganeen and Nick Martin were announced as Essendon’s newest acquisitions, adding the young pair to the Rookie A list.
The announcement came barely an hour after Wanganeen in partciular lit up a trial game against Western Bulldogs today, which the Bombers won by seven points.
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The 18-year-old only played the fourth quarter, but kicked two goals and showcased his obvious class to help Essendon across the line.
Former Essendon captain Brendon Goddard was amazed to see Wanganeen’s skill.
“If I’m going to be honest, the most exciting thing was watching that last quarter and seeing Tex Wanganeen, I’m not even kidding,” Goddard said in commentary.
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“It looks like he has that freakish ability to do things that others can’t, but what I was most impressed with was, the things he did, they were simple things he did really well as a small forward, which is the role he’s clearly going to play if he does get that position.”
Wanganeen’s father Gavin played 127 of his 300 AFL games with the Bombers. He is due to be inducted into the club’s exclusive Legend status at their Hall of Fame event tomorrow night.
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Martin, 20, was scouted by the Bombers from Western Australia, and now has his chance to realise his AFL dream in Melbourne.
“Both Tex and Nick have earned the opportunity to fill the remaining spots on our list and we’re thrilled to have secured their services through the (Supplemental Selection Period),” Essendon list chief Adrian Dodoro said.
The Bombers open their AFL season against Geelong on March 19.