Essendon has added a second player to their list in a matter of days, signing South Australian Kaine Baldwin.
The South Australian teenager joins the clubs under the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period rule, just days after forward Alec Waterman joined the club.
Baldwin, 18, has shown plenty of promise at National Championship level, earning a spot in South Australia’s side in 2018 before rupturing his ACL a year later.
Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro said the club was delighted to offer Baldwin a contract, especially considering his injury-interrupted past.
“He has overcome his fair share of adversity through injury in recent years, but we think he is a bright young talent who will offer plenty to our side,” Dodoro said in a club statement.
“Kaine is an athletic young talent who was touted as a first-round potential, and he has the ability to become an important, high-marking forward for us in years to come.
“Our medical and high-performance team are confident they will see Kaine make a full rehabilitation from his knee injury over the coming months and are optimistic he will have a long and sustained AFL career.”
Baldwin said he was “so appreciative” of being given a spot on an AFL list, capping off a difficult few years recovering from a serious knee injury.
“I’m so excited and grateful to the Essendon Football Club for this opportunity,” he said.
“I just wanted to work hard and put the most I possibly could into my recovery to try and earn a spot on an AFL list.
“I’m so appreciative to the Bombers for making this dream come true.”
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