Dons delists duo, part ways with cult figure

ESSENDON has announced the delisting of two players and parted ways with a young cult figure at the club.

Ned Cahill and Lachie Johnson have been delisted, while Irving Mosquito and the club have parted ways.

Mosquito had been rehabilitating from an ACL injury and was granted an absence of leave from the club earlier this year to return to his hometown in Halls Creek.

However, it was mutually decided that his contract would be terminated.

GM of Football at Essendon Josh Mahoney said in a club statement that Mosquito had been lacking motivation to play at the top level.

“Since he arrived at the club at the end of 2018, we have closely supported Irving to settle into Melbourne whilst balancing and maintaining a strong connection to his community back in Halls Creek,” he said.

“After Irving sustained the ACL injury in September last year, he was open with us about his lack of motivation and desire to play at an AFL level again, and we had granted him time away from the club to return back home to Halls Creek to best support him to make an informed decision on his AFL career moving forward.

“While this was not an easy decision for Irving, he feels it will be best for him to return to Halls Creek to start the next chapter of his life, and we understand that. We thank Irving for his time in the red and black and we wish him the very best for whatever lies ahead.”

Despite the short career, Mosquito was grateful for his time at the club and missed his teammates “every day.”

“It was a pretty tough decision to come to, and I had to weigh up whether I could commit to a full 12-month recovery program to get my knee right. In the end, I realised I didn’t have the passion that was required to get back so it’s the right time to consider life away from football,” Mosquito said.

“The club has been great with their support of me and my family, I can’t thank them enough.

“I will miss my teammates and being at the club every day. I wish the boys well for next season, I’ll always love this club.”

Cahill managed six games at the club after being drafted in 2019, however he did not play this year.

Johnson did not play any senior games after being taken in the same draft and battled an ACL injury throughout 2020.

Mahoney said it was a “tough decision” to delist the young players.

“They are both terrific young men and it’s always a difficult part of the year having to say goodbye and make these tough decisions,” he said.

“We wish them both all the best for the future.”

– BY SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN