“Goosebumps”: The Dons' rich history that won over Keidean Coleman

From meetings with Spike, a craving for opportunities and the club’s rich Indigenous history, joining Essendon was an easy decision for the Bombers' newest recruit.

Essendon landed a serious talent in the 2026 AFL Trade Period, securing Keidean Coleman from the Brisbane Lions in the final minutes of Deadline Day.

Drafted with he 37th pick in 2019, Coleman developed into Brisbane’s most proficient ball movers, excelling off the back flank and playing a crucial role in the Lions' Grand Final run in 2023.

However, after finishing runner-up in the 2023 Norm Smith Medal count, Coleman’s career took a significant turn, rupturing his ACL in Opening Round of 2024.

Coleman would play just two games between his Grand Final efforts and the beginning of the 2026 season – two years in which his Brisbane Lions side won back-to-back premierships.

Working back into the side in 2026, Coleman mounted 13 games with the Lions before a hamstring issue forced him back into rehab, unable to recapture his spot in the side before Brisbane’s third straight flag.

Now, Coleman finds himself in red and black, with Essendon trading Pick 21 and 27 in exchange for Pick 25 and the back flanker, delivering the fresh start that the 26-year-old needs.

It’s a move that hasn’t just excited the Bombers’ faithful.

“I’m very excited, to be honest,” Coleman told SEN Mornings.

“Even last night, when the news broke that I was traded… there was a lot of joy.

“It went down to the last couple of minutes, so I didn’t think it would go through, but I’m so excited.

“A very good young crop of players at the Bombers, and I’m excited to go and share my knowledge with them and hopefully win a few more games and push for the finals.”

Leaving a three-peat premiership side is no easy decision for any player.

However, for Coleman, a meeting with Essendon officials made the call an easy one.

“I had a great meeting with Mark McVeigh, Matt Rosa and a few others at the club,” he said.

“They flew me and my family down, which is a great initiative. They made me feel like I was at home, they really valued my family which was amazing.

“I walked away from the meeting very confident.”

Despite previously being one of the Lions’ most clinical ball users, injuries over three straight seasons saw Kiddy fall out of favour.

After another injury-ridden season this year, Coleman felt as though the time was right to seek a fresh start.

“I think (I decided) around Round 15 or 16,” he said.

“I was driving into the club again, knowing I had to do rehab again, which was very tough.

“My partner brought it up with me; she just said, ‘do you think it’s best for a fresh start somewhere else?’

“We had a great discussion and walked away from that very confident that we could hopefully look elsewhere.

“I knew I had another year on my contract, so it was more a discussion. Thankfully, the Bombers took a chance on me.”

It was also a decision based on opportunity.

Watching his side win three-straight premierships from the sidelines would be tough for any player, particularly when fit and ready to contribute on the biggest stage.

“I’ve got great love and appreciation for those lads (at Brisbane). I’m really grateful for them. Seeing them winning – there’s no better feeling.

“For myself at this stage of my career, at 26, I feel as though I just need to be playing more AFL games. I played a few VFL games this year, and I feel like I need to be playing AFL more.

“That’s why we approached the Bombers and a few others. I believe I should be playing AFL games.

“In saying that, I was grateful to be a part of a successful team for three or four years, learn the ropes and what it takes to get there. At this time, it was best for a fresh start.”

With interest across the competition, the Bombers ultimately won out after a successful run of meetings with new head coach Mark McVeigh.

His welcoming nature was a key selling point in Kiddy’s decision.

“Coming to Essendon, it’s just such a great young crop of players that excite me,” he continued.

“They’ve got a new coaching structure and just listening to what Mark McVeigh had to say is what excites me about joining this Bombers team.

“He is very family orientated. Every time he talked to me, he made sure to ask how my kids are going, he always checked in on my partner which was great.

“It shows great initiative and that won me over. The way he wants the Bombers to play excites me as well.

“He’s changing a lot of things off field which will hold the club in good stead.”

Beyond McVeigh and the successful meetings, Coleman was drawn to the Bombers’ rich Indigenous history.

From club legend and AFL icon Michael Long to Brownlow Medallist Gavin Wanganeen and their involvement in the iconic Dreamtime at the ‘G fixture, Essendon hosts the game’s most prominent First Nations culture and community.

“Michael Long, Gavin Wanganeen, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti a few years ago… that was also so enticing on my behalf,” Coleman added.

“Hopefully for the Bombers faithful I can make a name for myself as a Bomber and etch my name in history.

“(Playing in Dreamtime at the ‘G) will be a dream come true. Watching those games as a youngster… also Anzac Day is something I watch every year. I get goosebumps just thinking about it now.

“Hopefully next year I get to be a part of that. It will be a bucket list thing for me and my family to be a part of.”

In fact, part of the Bombers’ recruitment strategy involved the club’s most iconic Indigenous figure.

“(Michael Long) called me when I was on the plane on the way to Melbourne, and then he called me on the plane on the way to Brisbane, so I didn’t actually catch him!

“Spike did say he was trying to get a hold of me, so I’ll have to give him a call.”

Coleman joins the Bombers alongside Geelong’s Jack Bowes, with Zach Merrett and Jordan Ridley granted their desired exits from the club.

This trade period reflected the club’s reset under new management, moving into a new era under Mark McVeigh and John Longmire.

Listen to the full interview with Adam White on SEN Mornings: