Essendon’s first year draftees have used 2016 as a valuable learning experience according to outgoing development and VFL coach Matthew Egan.

The six that spent time in the VFL system this season had various challenges, whether it was injury, form or finding out what was required to step into the AFL system.

Darcy Parish was the only ‘first year’ selection not to play in the state league this season.

South Australian duo Aaron Francis and Mason Redman got a taste of the elite level, both playing three AFL matches throughout the year.

“Seeing Mason Redman get an opportunity early to play AFL he realised what a step it is from AFL to VFL and when he come back to the VFL he realised what he had to work on,” Egan said.

“Aaron Francis was similar - he had to work really hard and had some injuries along the way.

“He played a little bit forward, little bit back and the demands of AFL footy with the transition are huge, he learnt that he needs to build his fitness and come back in shape ready to go.

“No doubt you saw his talent and what he can produce, even the VFL finals - I reckon he has got real confidence out of what he can do.”

Alex Morgan and Tom Wallis both battled injury in their rookie seasons.

Pick 29 in last year’s draft, Morgan played nine VFL matches while father-son rookie selection Tom Wallis managed 15 games.

“Tommy had a tough year with injuries, he had a few niggles early in the season and got concussed a couple of times, he didn’t get any continuity in his season,” Egan said.

“The back end of the season he played five games in a row which I think is the only time he did it for the season.

“Morgs was similar with his injuries, he didn’t really get a block of games together so it was great to see him finish the season and finish on a high note.”

With specific roles in the VFL side, rookie-listed ruckman Gach Nyuon and small forward Yestin Eades provided some great highlights.  

“Gachy is learning and developing, it’s a pretty unique role that he was playing this year,” Egan said.

“He was coming off the bench a fair bit to get in the ruck and sometimes he got five of six minutes before he was off again.

“It’s really hard to get in the game sometimes, you need 10 minutes in a row and then go forward so you have 15 minutes of opportunity and he doesn’t get that because we had four ruckmen in the team at times.”

Eades, pick 64 in last year’s national draft, started the season well really according to Egan.

“Yestin had a really good first half of the season and showed that he is a small, dangerous forward,” he said.

“His reading of the game is excellent, it’s just building his performances week in, week out.

“Inconsistency can get small forwards at times; he just needs to learn about the role and how to keep himself in games when things aren’t going well.”