The 2025 AFL Mid-Season Draft saw Essendon break a competition record with four total selections, making for some exciting storylines at the NEC Hangar.
Welcoming three key position prospects in Archer May, Lachlan Blakiston and Liam McMahon, the Bombers have added some tall timber capable of playing all over the ground, while the acquisition of small forward Oskar Smartt from the Club’s VFL program provides a livewire option for the side.
National Recruiting Manager Rob Forster-Knight spoke directly after the conclusion of the draft, highlighting each player’s skillsets and what they’ll bring to the Club.
Forster-Knight on… Archer May
He’s really deserved this opportunity. He’s been coming through the system as well, bit of a late developer.
Played for Sandringham Dragons initially and then Richmond VFL, but wanted to get out of his comfort zone and moved to Subiaco, across the other side of the country. A mobile key forward, strong marking ability, and then compete at ground level. All those attributes really suggest he could transfer those skills at the highest level.
Forster-Knight on… Lachlan Blakiston
We’ve been watching Lachlan for the last couple of years and he’s been developing really well.
He’s 26, so mature age. With Vigo Visentini and Todd Goldstein doing a great job at the moment, we understand it’s a long year and they need support, we feel Lachlan offers that immediate support.
He’s a very mobile player, a very athletic player and very good at ground level as well, so we think he can come in and offer that support in the ruck.
Forster-Knight on… Oskar Smartt
He was very close last year, and he would have had to handle that disappointment, which he has, and he’s been really resilient as well.
He’s bounced back and he’s taken his game to another level this year in our VFL program, it’s a credit to himself and our coaching staff as well for helping him with his development on and off the field.
He’s got a lot of great attributes as well, he’s a very powerful and combative player that covers the ground really well. We’re really excited to see what he can offer in the future.
Forster-Knight on… Liam McMahon
He was actually a key defender in his development years and very capable in that role as well. More recently, he’s been playing as a key forward for Carlton VFL and last year he kicked 45 goals in the VFL competition.
He’s really adaptable and excited about playing potentially down back if required. He’s a Co-Captain at Carlton as well this year, so he brings a level of leadership, which is great for our Club.
