Tara Murray
Former Sunbury Lions product Cody Brand’s AFL dream has ended for now after being delisted by Essendon last week.
Brand was one of three Bombers delisted last week as the club looks to finalise its list ahead of the AFL draft next month.
A James Hird Academy product, Brand joined the Bombers through pick 53 in the 2020 AFL Draft.
Brand played 17 games at Victorian Football League level this year, but wasn’t able to break into the Bombers’ AFL line up. He averaged nearly 12 possessions a game in the VFL.
Brand told Star Weekly before he was drafted that it was a dream come true to join the club.
“I grew up supporting Essendon and we’re an Essendon family through dad’s bloodline,” he said at the time.
Brayden Ham and Alec Waterman were also delisted by the Bombers.
Ham arrived at the Bombers during the 2018 national draft at pick 72 and played 45 games in the red and black, including 11 this year.
Joining the club through the 2021 supplemental selection period (SSP), Waterman made his debut for the Bombers in round three of that year. The small forward played 22 games for the club, scoring a total of 27 goals but wasn’t able to hold down a spot in the senior team this year.
List and recruiting general manager Adrian Dodoro thanked the trio for their contribution to the club.
“We thank Cody, Brayden and Alec for their contribution to the club over their careers,” he said.
“These decisions are never easy but we commend the three players on their maturity and professionalism.
“We wish them all the best for their future endeavours.”
The three join Michael Hurley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Devon Smith (all retired), Aaron Francis (traded), and Tom Cutler, Garrett McDonagh and Tom Hird (delisted) who depart the club this off season.
