Essendon has capped off an exciting couple of nights at the draft table by matching Richmond's bid for Hussien El Achkar at pick No.53 in the Telstra AFL Draft.

A standout from the Dons’ NGA/James Hird Academy program, El Achkar is a pure excitement machine.

The 171cm small forward took over games for the Dons’ affiliate Calder Cannons in a dynamic two-year Coates Talent League stint, slotting 47 goals from 26 appearances including an eye-catching six-goal haul against Sandringham this season.

With Vic Metro, El Achkar’s three goals against the Allies was another solid effort. In his debut with Essendon VFL on the road, he lifted his side with a quick burst of three goals after half-time.

El Achkar’s speed and natural goal sense makes him an enticing prospect alongside former JHA teammates in Kako and Nguyen.

He joins Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow, Dyson Sharp and Max Kondogiannis as the Dons' newest kids on the block from this year's draft crop.