McGrath was ordinary as a midfielder a few years back. Another player we wasted time on for years trying to turn him into something he’s not. He is also the number one player in the comp this year for not losing one on ones in marking contests, so I think as disappointing as it is to have a pick 1 back pocket, that’s his best position.
I don’t disagree with this that much, but I see him being a Quaynor for us (at best), who is not materially bigger than Jayden such that it should make too much of an impact.
This is the ideal game for Jayden to debut.
Wet weather, small ground, perfect for an in-and-under terrier.
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RELEASE FAMILY PHONE CALL
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I like it…expect the worst but hope for the best!!
Love when they’d show a player getting the news they were debuting and their teammates celebrating it. 14 debuts this year and I’m not sure they’ve shown it once this year.
Seriously if he’s still in the team for the st kilda game we could all come along and bring a banh mi to eat as a celebration of diversity and the tastiness of Vietnamese food
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From his bedroom?
Pretty sure he said he was at home when he found out and his Dad started running around the house.
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Good one ya young fella
That is a stat that people on here won’t like
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Australian story: Young star of Vietnamese descent becomes record-breaking Bomber
July 31, 2025 — 7.41pm
When Jayden Nguyen was nine years old he arrived home one day and surprised his father, Duc, with the news he wanted to play footy with his mates.
Duc had just assumed his son would gravitate to soccer.
Duc knew little of the AFL, having arrived in Australia as a refugee from Vietnam with his dad in 1986, but his son was keen, so why not.
Two weeks after the request, Duc found himself down at the Point Cook Sharks signing up Jayden to play AFL.
On Saturday afternoon at the SCG the proud father will stand and speak to his son’s Bomber teammates moments before Jayden becomes, according to Essendon, the first player of Vietnamese descent to play in the AFL. He’ll also be their 14th debutant this season – an AFL era record.
“I am very nervous because of Saturday coming. I have to do the talk and my English is not that good in front of a lot of people,” Duc said.
He need not worry because, not only is his English good, but the excitement surrounding Jayden’s debut will elicit smiles from anyone and everyone in the room.
“His dream has come true,” Duc said.
Jayden soon became a football fanatic, and was talented too. When the family moved he joined Avondale Heights and eventually played senior football at Aberfeldie.
He first played for Essendon in AFL NGA matches in 2019, playing alongside future first-round draft selection Isaac Kako as both made an impression in the Essendon District Football League, vying with each other for the league best and fairest awards.
“He slept with the ball. He put the ball on his side and slept with it,” his dad recalled with a big chuckle.
“When he was under-nine, he used to play footy in the house. He kicked the ball in the house and the ceiling would have the marks of the footy. He loved it.
“I watched him almost every game. When I was busy, the coach came and picked him up.”
Jayden’s passion for sport made his father smile as it meant he was pursuing something positive in the country he had made home from the moment he arrived with his own father in 1986. They left their hometown near Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the South of Vietnam, “looking for freedom” as parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam were unsettled.
“[It’s a] very hard life as a refugee. I came here as a refugee because the Australian government tried to help a lot of refugee people. I would like to say thanks to the Australian government for helping Vietnamese people,” Duc said.
Jayden helped himself, with both Cam Joyce, who coached him in the VFL this season, and Harmit Singh, the former Bombers NGA coach who is now with Sydney’s academy, full of praise for how he has applied himself to become a good footballer.
Polite, hardworking and dedicated are the words they use as Jayden earned a reputation as a player who always has a smile on his face.
“He’s just a ripping kid,” Joyce said.
Playing as a small defender, his speed and competitiveness impressed selectors as his good form coincided with an opportunity to make his AFL debut.
He knows he is good enough to be given a chance, having represented Vic Metro at under 16 and under-18 level and won the Calder Cannons best and fairest in 2023 as a bottom-ager. He also played a game with Essendon’s VFL last season before joining the Bombers as a category B rookie in 2025.
“I just want to be a figure that Vietnamese and Asian children can look up to and hopefully show them that their dream is possible and that they can do it,” Nguyen said.
“For me to take a step in this direction, I feel like I’m pretty proud of myself, but hopefully I can make others proud that have helped me along the journey to where I am.”
When Jayden shared the news of his debut to his dad, Duc, who uses the name “John” when working at Cosh Living in Melbourne, ran around the house screaming.
“Jayden is a sporty kid and I am very proud of him,” Duc said. “I want to thank Essendon and all the clubs and their volunteers.”
Those who have seen him emerge through hard work and dedication can’t wait to watch him on the big stage.
“He’s from a great family, and he’s done so much work away from the bright lights,” Singh said.
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An excellent example of the cat B rookie list being used to great effect. Good for everyone involved.
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I can’t wait to hear the commentators trying to pronounce his name.
And before any smartarse says it, yes, I know Jayden is pretty easy to say.
still chuckling. Well done RnB ops
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In as ■■■■■ a season that we’ve had, it’s at least been exciting to watch so many debuts and youngsters getting a game or three.
But this one feels a bit different. A modern backstory that could become a special introduction of a special player. Who knows? 
Send him to Paps … and make mince meat of him Jayden.
Bombers
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I have seen enough already
Give this kid a new contract NOW
love his attack on the footy and the man
but more than anything, I LOVE his attitude. Just refuses to take a backwards step
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jeez can we get about 5 more copies of this kid on the ground
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Nnnggggggooooooyyyaaaannn