Latest news with #NateCaddy
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Nate Caddy's long-term future front of mind for Essendon coach Brad Scott
The long-term future of Nate Caddy is front of mind at Essendon, but it won't force the club to rule the rising forward out for the season. Caddy has been in and out of the struggling Bombers over recent weeks as he navigates soreness. The improving key forward has nearly doubled his career matches in his second season for a return of 20 goals. Essendon coach Brad Scott said he would always look after Caddy's long-term sustainability but insisted the Bombers still had plenty to play for. 'He's had the lingering issue, we'll always put his best interests at heart and clearly for Nate that's long-term,' he said. 'I've said repeatedly that we're not giving up on this season, we've got a lot to get out of the balance of these games. 'We had Nate in, then we had him out, then back in. The reality is he's a week-to-week proposition in terms of how he recovers from training and games. 'We've got to make decisions based on how he's doing but also his continuity. He wasn't able to train last week and we didn't feel it was the right thing to play him. 'We will look after his long-term future but we're not prepared to say at this stage he's played his last game for the year. 'The decision we've got to make is: Is he able to perform and are there any medium to long-term ramifications pushing him out there when he's sore.' The injury-plagued Bombers have lost 10 of their past 11 after being on the cusp of the top eight. They have 11 players sidelined for the year and a further four racing to return by season's end. On that list is forward Kyle Langford, who has endured a wretched soft-tissue run throughout the year. But Scott said the goalkicker still had a part to play in this season and, in a best-case scenario, could even front up in the VFL this week. 'I expect Kyle Langford to do a fair bit of training today with ideally a view to play some VFL minutes this week,' he said. 'That would be the best-case scenario and 'Langers' has been fantastic in his rehab. He's had a really strong intention to return to play. 'We probably do have to fight this view that when we're out of finals calculations that a lot of people probably think what's the point in bringing these guys back. 'But we've got a lot to gain out of this year, we need some senior players around our younger players and 'Langers' is a part of our leadership group. 'If we can get him back into our team, we'd like to do that, clearly with a low to close to zero risk policy as possible.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
AFL clears Bombers star over huge umpire collision
Essendon forward Nate Caddy has avoided AFL sanction over his collision with an umpire after coach Brad Scott slammed the whistleblowers' on-field positioning. Caddy ran hard towards a contest during the Bombers' 41-point loss to Gold Coast on Saturday and collided with umpire Robert O'Gorman, who stepped into his path. The clash came just days after the AFL announced a crackdown on players making contact with umpires, with the league threatening to suspend repeat offenders. Caddy was cleared of wrongdoing by the match review officer (MRO) on Sunday and not mentioned at all in the findings. The MRO occasionally adds notes to incidents that warrant further explanation. Nate Caddy was involved in this collision with an umpire. #AFLDonsSuns — AFL (@AFL) July 5, 2025 Essendon coach Scott acknowledged the AFL's concern around umpire safety, but teed off when claiming there is an easy fix to prevent incidents like the Caddy-O'Gorman collision. "I've lost count of the number of times I've approached the AFL about moving the umpires out of the corridor," Scott said post-match. "The last response I had from (AFL Head of Officiating) Stephen McBurney was, 'Just pretend they're invisible.' "It would make sense if the umpires were in four quadrants on the outside of the contest, looking at the contest. "But they insist on running into the corridor, and they're coached that way." Scott said the incident "took the wind out of" his player. "It took 15 minutes to get him going again," Scott said. "Whose fault is it? Certainly not Nate Caddy's - particularly given we've put this on the agenda to move the umpires out of the corridor and they just refuse to do it." Richmond defender Noah Balta escaped a suspension for his heavy hit on Geelong star Tom Stewart but was handed a $10,000 fine, which can be reduced to $6250 with an early plea. Balta was charged with forceful front-on contact over the incident during the Tigers' 72-point defeat at GMHBA Stadium. Port Adelaide's Hugh Jackson can accept a $2000 fine for kneeing Brisbane Lions veteran Dayne Zorko.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'They just refuse': Brad Scott takes aim at AFL as umpiring issue rears it head
Essendon coach Brad Scott has issued a fresh plea to AFL bosses to listen to his concerns about the positioning of umpires after the topic was thrust back into the spotlight this weekend. It came as Suns star Matt Rowell issued a defiant message about the issue, despite being just one umpire clash away from suspension. Scott couldn't hide his frustration after Saturday's 41-point loss to Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, where emerging star Nate Caddy was rocked by an on-field collision with an umpire. Caddy had eyes only for the ball as he ran hard towards a contest in Essendon's forward 50, but clattered into the official who'd stepped into his path. The incident came just days after the AFL announced a controversial crackdown on players making contact with umpires, with repeat offenders facing the possibility of suspensions. But the Bombers coach argued there was nothing Caddy could have done to avoid the collision and insisted the solution was to re-coach umpires about their positioning in games. "I've lost count of the number of times I've approached the AFL about moving the umpires out of the corridor," Scott said in his post-match press conference. "The last response I had from (AFL Head of Officiating) Stephen McBurney was, 'just pretend they're invisible.' "It would make sense if the umpires were in four quadrants on the outside of the contest, looking at the contest. But they insist on running into the corridor, and they're coached that way. Unfortunately, it took the wind out of Nate Caddy. It took 15 minutes to get him going again. "Whose fault is it? Certainly not Nate Caddy's - particularly given we've put this on the agenda to move the umpires out of the corridor and they just refuse to do it." Scott acknowledged the AFL's concerns around umpire safety at centre bounces but the league's new rule didn't appear to deter Gold Coast midfielder Matt Rowell from pushing the envelope on Saturday night. RELATED: AFL slammed over mid-season move that could change Brownlow winner Vision emerges of sneaky Zak Butters act he copied from Nick Daicos Rowell had a number of near-misses with the umpires during centre bounces against the Bombers, despite being one clash away from suspension after four incidents in the last two years. But when asked if he'd change his approach after the AFL's new deterrent, the Suns star remained defiant. "Haven't changed anything," he said in response to the question on Fox Footy. "Yeah, nah, just keep doing me." Former West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson was among those to take issue with Rowell's response and suggested Damien Hardwick had plenty to do with it after the Gold Coast coach labelled some of Rowell's previous fines as 'laughable'. Hardwick backed down slightly from that stance after the game but said Rowell's approach to the game wouldn't change because of the AFL's new directive. "I'm not sure he can (change), can he?" Hardwick said. "He's got to try to get the ball - that's what we pay him big dollars for. He's mindful of it, we're mindful of it, we'll try and work through it. But at the end of the day, accidents are going to happen from time to time." They're acting like the players purposefully line them up to get them. Most of the time it's a complete accident from either end. Just trying to ruin the sport — Adam (@Naqohs) July 5, 2025 The footage I just saw Rowell is getting grabbed constantly off the ball so he has to try and not hit the umpire who runs around like a god who all those just avoid, and then deal with someone grabbing him, while also trying to do his job and get the ball — Steve (@steve_wars) July 5, 2025 Rowell is using the umpire to block his opponent & find space. He is intentionally putting himself in those positions for an advantage. — DtFootyFeen (@dtfootyfeen) July 5, 2025 Holding the man is all I see. And does it behind the umpires back so it gets missedGive him holding the man frees and then he doesn't need to use the umpire to block — Nathan Schulz (@RGSchulzy16) July 5, 2025 with AAP
News.com.au
05-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brad Scott goes scorched Earth on umpires after Nate Caddy collision
Essendon coach Brad Scott delivered a scathing review of the umpires after the collision involving Bombers' forward Nate Caddy. Caddy was streaming forward during Essendon's 41-point loss to Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon when he crashed into the umpire. The emerging forward, who kicked three goals, was not seriously injured in the accident but needed 15 minutes to get his breath back. The incident comes just days after the AFL introduced potential suspensions to players who repeatedly make contact with the officiators. Scott launched a stern defence of Caddy when asked if he thought the collision could spell match review panel. Watch the incident in the video player above 'I've lost count of the amount of times I have contacted the AFL about moving the umpires out of the corridor (middle of the ground),' Scott said. 'They sprint into the corridor and they stay there – and that's clearly where we want to get the ball. 'Even when I was at the AFL I tried to move them out of the corridor and they still wouldn't move out of the corridor. 'We've been at them and at them and at them to move out of the corridor and the last response I had from Steve McBurney (umpires chief) was, 'Just pretend they're invisible'. 'Well, he wasn't invisible and unfortunately it took the wind out of Nate Caddy, it took 15 minutes to get him going again. 'Whose fault is it? Certainly not Nate Caddy's. And particularly given we put this on the agenda to move the umpires out of the corridor and they refuse to do it.' Essendon won the free kick count but should have had another in a high tackle free kick to first-season forward Angus Clarke. Scott doubled down on his review of the umpires, saying the reason the fourth umpire was introduced was to gain clarity on both sides of the contest. 'Not only that, the arc then tells our doctor to check on the umpire and assess the umpire,' he said. 'And it's Nate Caddy's fault? I don't expect him to have anything to answer for that. 'Part of the reason for the four umpires was so they didn't get blind sighted, so you can have an umpire on each side of the contest. 'Angus Clarke clearly got taken high in the forward 50, the umpire is on the other side and pays holding the ball. 'Now that happens but the reason we have four is so the umpire on the other side of the contest can see it and it would make sense if the umpire was on four quadrants on the outside. 'But they insist on running into the corridor and they're coached that way, then we have a player collide and it's the player's fault.'
Sydney Morning Herald
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘If I did I'd probably get sacked': Bombers young gun Caddy on the risk behind that stunning goal
Everyone has seen Nate Caddy's goal against the Brisbane Lions in round 12 – an outrageous over-the-head kick that will take some beating for the AFL goal of the year award. But it was a moment against Sydney three rounds earlier that illustrated the teenage star's true value to Essendon. The excitement around the athletic key forward grows by the week and spots on the Caddy bandwagon are fast running out. That goal against the Lions was an instinctive moment, but it also allowed the Bombers to level the scores against the reigning premiers at the Gabba. That game was a season-best performance for Essendon that ended in defeat, but it was also a breakout game for the 193-centimetre Caddy, who was drafted to Tullamarine from Melbourne's nearby northern suburbs less than two years ago and just weeks ago put pen to paper on a two-year extension. Against the Swans, Caddy's gut-running was on full display in an eye-catching team goal by the Bombers – kicked by Caddy himself – after he first gathered the ball across half-back, before the Sherrin finished in his hands in the goal square. The passage of play stemmed from a facet of Caddy's game that he'd made a priority ahead of this season: improving his tank and making it one of his weapons. 'I think a real target point for me [this year] was being an elite runner,' Caddy told this masthead. The numbers show that he runs up to 15 kilometres per game. Caddy points out that in Essendon's most recent game – a loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium in which the Bomber took another great hanger – he played every minute. 'I kind of come into the games [now] thinking that I can beat people for speed,' says Caddy. 'I try to think as a [personal motivation for me] that no one can stop me. 'That's how I think I can impact the game.' And Caddy's ability to impact games is why the plaudits are coming thick and fast. Comparisons with Geelong's aerobic dynamo and goal-kicking champion Jeremy Cameron are common. Kane Cornes says Caddy will be vying with Bulldogs phenom Sam Darcy for best-player-in-the-AFL status in five years, while Essendon legend James Hird poured out the superlatives as he dissected the passage of play involving Caddy against Sydney at Marvel Stadium. 'Watch him keep running to get himself into [the] play, and get in the goal square,' observed Hird on Nine's Footy Furnace. 'That's the work rate and the work ethic that gets you to be a star in the competition.' 'Winning the ball at half-back, running all the way down and getting a goal [near] the goal-line – that is elite running.' Ahead of his 25th game in the top flight, Caddy – who played junior footy with fellow Bomber Isaac Kako – is a focus of hope for long-suffering Essendon fans. Caddy told this masthead that he sees his long-term AFL future at Tullamarine. But he's also convinced that a two-year top-up to his initial deal, locking him in at Essendon until 2028, was the right call. 'I really liked my time at Essendon the last two years,' he said. 'To sort of go around and sign for another two more, [taking] me to the end of my fifth year, I'm really excited for what Essendon has to offer in the future. 'I think I can bring my strengths to help the club and push us in the right direction. The club have shown heaps of trust and faith in me over the time, so I had to repay them and get it done early, so there's no discussion or anything [about leaving].' Those with red-and-black blood in their veins can soak up the following words. 'I don't see myself at any other club but Essendon,' Caddy said. 'I really love the club, and it's where I see myself long-term. 'I'm not sure if Essendon would have been 100 per cent sure yet on a long-term deal, and would just [have instead preferred to] keep me on a short one for now. 'I still need to prove a lot more to be able to earn the trust to get a long contract.' The goal that kick-started the bandwagon Caddy's stunning goal against the Lions was the exclamation mark of an eye-catching third-quarter revival by the Bombers. They were pushing forward hard when Jade Gresham centred the ball from the pocket to Caddy lurking in the goal square. He pounced on the ground level ball and the rest is history. But the kick over his shoulder that levelled the scores wasn't pre-planned, or something he trained. It was entirely instinctive. Caddy is proud of the goal and, yes, he'd soak up any official recognition from the AFL. When asked about the possibility of it being adjudged goal of the year at the end of the season, Caddy's reply was immediate: 'hopefully'. 'It was just kind of an in-the-moment thing,' he said. 'I can't even explain it. 'I don't know what made me think to kick it [like that]. 'I just threw it over behind my head, and [it] went through and then I celebrated accordingly. '[But] oh no, no, I don't plan on kicking them over my head – if I did I'd probably get sacked, to be honest. 'And if I had missed that, I probably would have looked stupid, so luckily it went in.' In an era when kicks 'around the corner' at goal have become de rigueur, Caddy is conscious of focusing on the right routine for his set shots and his kicking in general play. 'I'm just trying to get as many reps in as possible – [to] keep it a really good routine,' Caddy says of his approach to goal-kicking. 'I'm still working on that and seeing what works best for me, [ensuring that] I'm really improving on that [part of my game]. 'My field kicking is something I work on a lot more as well... trying to improve that so that I can be a more dangerous AFL player and [so that] when I've got the ball in my hands I can be trusted with [it] by teammates.' 'I don't know what made me think to kick it [like that]. I just threw it over behind my head, and [it] went through and then I celebrated accordingly.' Nate Caddy on 'that' goal against the Lions A sponge for footy knowledge Only days away from turning 20, Caddy is one of the game's hottest properties. Essendon development coach and former Collingwood premiership player Travis Cloke is a strong influence, while Caddy also leans on the club's forwards assistant coach, Cam Roberts, and former Bombers big man Michael Hurley for advice. 'There's heaps of them, to be honest,' Caddy says, the enthusiasm in his voice obvious as he reflects on his trusted confidantes. It was a moment captured on live TV that illustrated Caddy's keenness to soak up information from those who've plied their trade at the top. Caddy had a post-game interview on Channel Seven in March featuring St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt. The pair had never met and the young Bomber, with the cameras still rolling, decided to hit up the hall of famer for some quick advice. Riewoldt quickly stepped aside and the two engaged in a chat about forward craft. 'I'm not sure how professional it was of me to … just walk off mid-interview to go and have a chat to the young fellow,' the St Kilda great said. Loading 'We spoke about some simple key bodywork stuff in marking contests. Like it was pretty granular. 'We've exchanged numbers – we'll catch up and have coffee.' Caddy is happy he made the first move. 'I just had a few things I wanted to ask him, and he's been really good post that [moment] as well,' the young Bomber said. 'He's obviously a really good player, and, you know, someone I really look up to because he was kind of a similar player to what I am. Caddy's willingness to be a sponge for knowledge on all things footy doesn't go unnoticed. One industry figure who's been keenly watching Caddy's career, who spoke anonymously to speak freely, said the young Bomber was constantly looking for improvement. 'Usually it takes them [footballers] until they're 22 to work that out,' the figure said. 'He's not too confident to not take counsel, if that makes sense, which just puts him in wonderful, wonderful stead.' The Kako combination The red-and-black fraternity have gone 25 years without a flag. A decade ago, they endured the drugs scandal. But having the likes of Caddy and Kako on the list has helped deliver fresh hope. 'Yeah, we're good mates,' Caddy says of his forward-line sidekick. 'We went to school together, played school footy together. We knew that once I got drafted to Essendon that we'd be teammates, because he was an Essendon NGA [next generation academy] player. 'We've also got Zak Johnson [another player who also went to Parade College]. 'We've got all three of us that are playing consistent AFL footy … from the same high school team at least two years ago. 'It's pretty cool.' Managing the hype With the hope of what Caddy could become comes the increased scrutiny and expectation – a tough juggling act for any player to manage. 'Yeah, yeah I see it,' Caddy says of the attention. Loading 'It obviously chops and changes when you have good and bad weeks. 'I'm not a pin-up boy for when everything goes wrong just yet. 'That might happen in the future, but hopefully not.' Caddy's eyes are firmly focused on the main target ahead of him – making the most of his potential to be one of the game's biggest stars. 'I've obviously got a lot to learn, and I'm the first to admit that,' he said. '[But I'm] just learning as I go, and just kind of slowly working out what works for me and how I can be a damaging AFL player.'
