Isaac Kako has earned the round 17 Telstra Rising Star nomination for his career-high 17-disposal, five-tackle performance against the SUNS.
The 19-year-old was lively right from the opening bounce on Saturday, rewarded for his tenacious pressure and impact up the ground by getting on the end of a scoring opportunity early in the third term.
As the Club’s fourth nominee for the award this season (joining Archie Roberts, Nate Caddy and Angus Clarke), Essendon have now recorded the AFL’s highest amount of nominations in a single season since 2016, highlighting the impact of their youth in this campaign.
The four nominations are also 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,” Kako 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.”
Kako and the Dons take on another young side in the form of Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, seeking their first win since the corresponding Dreamtime fixture back in round 11.
