BOMBER WILDCARD ON THE VERGE OF FAIRYTALE DEBUT

ESSENDON could turn to a boy wonder who has barely played any football since 2019 to help p manufacture a winning ning score against Geelong ong in Saturday’s AFL clash after an ankle e injury to spearhead d Harry Jones.

Kaine Baldwin, 19 (pictured), is a contender to replace ce Jones in the goalsquare uare in what would be a fairytale for the 194cm forward who was overlooked in the 2020 draft after two knee reconstructions.

Before that, Baldwin shaped as a top-five pick, captaining South Australia’s under-16s and averaging 9.6 marks and 2.8 goals in state colours.

The wildcard got his chance last year ye as Essendon’s mental men skills coach David Reid Re helped allay Baldwin’s fears of suffering a third anterior cruciate injury in as he prepared for a scratch match. Jones, Jo 22, is likely to miss multiple mult matches, leaving the Bombers without three of their top five goalkickers for a tough start to the season.

Cale Hooker has retired while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is a little way off after taking a break for personal reasons.