Former Essendon-listed player Jayden Davey has produced a strong showing on return for his junior club Palmerston.
The ex-Bombers forward was named among his team's best players in the Magpies' 7.10 (52) to 7.10 (52) draw with Wanderers at TIO Stadium.
Davey finished the match with a team high 19 disposals – including 13 contested possessions – five clearances and a goal.
Despite not getting the win, it was a solid result for Palmerston, who currently sit in eighth position on the Northern Territory Football League ladder.
The Magpies took control of proceedings early on in the contest and at half time had opened up a 25-point lead.
Wanderers wrestled back the momentum with a four-goal to one third term before a tense last quarter ended with both teams tied on the scoreboard.
Palmerston coach Mark Tyrrell told the National Indigenous Times that Davey fit back into the team 'seamlessly'.
"We were thrilled to have him back in the black and white," Tyrrell said.
"Jayden's return was a real boost to our side that enjoyed an extra level of class around the ball.
"Jayden's experience at elite levels showed us he was able to give some real drive out of congestion, which is something we have lacked as a team in recent outings."
It was a family affair for the Daveys, with Jayden's younger brother Alijah and cousin Waylon – who was touted as a draft prospect during the season – also featuring for the Magpies.
"It was a great day for the club having Jayden playing with younger brother Alijah, plus cousin Waylon roaming the forward line," Tyrrell said.
"Then just as an added bonus we had Alwyn Jr as runner and good family friend Eddie Betts as our forward line coach for the day.
"The Davey family are a mainstay of the whole organisation – from Gunny (Davey) through to now, the family had a touch point on every part of the club's history and it is something that gives us great pride."
Jayden is the son of former Essendon excitement machine Alwyn Davey, a dynamic small forward who played 100 games in the red and black between 2007 and 2013.
He originally joined the Bombers as a father-son selection at the end of 2022 and was delisted by Essendon at the end of the last year despite not registering an AFL game for the club.
The talented 20-year-old had a wretched run with injury over the past couple of years, which has included suffering two separate anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.
The Kokatha man showed encouraging signs at VFL level throughout the 2024 season, kicking 17 goals from 18 appearances, including three-goal performances against Williamstown and Casey Demons.
His twin brother Alwyn Jr remains on Essendon's list and has played 20 games and kicked nine goals across his past two seasons.
Despite a positive return, Magpies coach Mark Tyrrell is not getting his hopes us that Davey will be a regular member of his team for at least this NTFL season.
"Sadly, our bye this weekend may have dashed our hopes of seeing another game from Jayden as we believe he now has to honour his commitments to his new club Port Melbourne (in the VFL) and their pre-season training schedule."
