Luckless forward Jaiden Hunter has returned home before the end of Essendon’s AFL season to undergo another operation.
The 22-year-old was a mid-season draftee in 2023 but never earned a senior debut as injuries cruelled his 18-month stint with the club.
Hunter, picked out of Perth in the WAFL, kicked one goal in his VFL debut last year and four more the following week.
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He was immediately sidelined with a hot spot stress injury in his back, though a one-year contract extension followed at the end of the season.
Hunter’s AFL dreams suffered a fresh blow in January when he suffered an ACL injury in a marking contest during match simulation in pre-season training.
The second serious knee injury of his career, he had hoped to make an unlikely return to action this season but says he has now prioritised getting his health right after leaving the Bombers with their blessing.
“Unfortunately had to have minor back surgery to alleviate a condition I was dealing with,” Hunter wrote on Wednesday night.
“Time to rest up at home and have a big cuddle with the Daschunds for a while.”
Out of contract at the end of the season, Hunter all but said farewell to Essendon as he announced he would take a break from football.
“I just want to thank Essendon for the opportunity, the experience and allowing me to have surgery at home to recover with my support network,” he said.
“Thank you to the supporters for being so welcoming and supportive of me during the last season and a half.
“Had almost no luck and a lot of frustration with my body so I’m taking a very small break from football to finish these two rehabs at my own pace and get myself fully right.
“I’ll be back again playing next season even better than I was, I promise.”
Hunter has previously said he was frustrated his AFL opportunity “feels like it’s been snatched” away from him by the injuries.
Meanwhile, Essendon’s 2024 mid-season draftee has followed the path walked by Hunter last year.
The Bombers on Wednesday announced Saad El-Hawli had re-signed for 2025 to extend his time with the club.
Like Hunter, El-Hawli showed promising form in his first VFL games before injury stopped him in his tracks.
El-Hawli missed nine weeks with the ankle complaint before returning last weekend in a winning performance.
“I’m extremely grateful to be part of such an amazing club,” El-Hawli said of his contract extension.
“Everyone has been so welcoming. I can’t wait to get to work and show the dons faithful what I can do.”