Joshua Begley Biography

Josh Begley signs a new deal with Essendon that will keep him at the club until the end of 2020.

Begley played the first five games of the season before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Anzac Day. He will miss the rest of the year.

"I'm excited to re-sign with the club and extremely grateful for the opportunity 'Woosha' (coach John Worsfold) gave me to continue my development this season," Begley said.

"The knee injury is frustrating but I am determined to work hard and earn my spot back in the side. We're a young group but excited about what we can achieve together in the years to come."

Josh Begley will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Anzac Day which will require a knee reconstruction.

"Josh twisted his knee in a relatively innocuous contest, but unfortunately scans today have confirmed he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament," Essendon football manager Dan Richardson said.

"We are all disappointed for him. He has made a really promising start to his career, including playing every game this season."

Joshua Begley makes his AFL debut for Essendon with 13 disposals (10 kicks and 3 handballs), 7 marks, 2 tackles and 2 goals in a 33-point win over Gold Coast.

Josh Begley will make his AFL debut for the Bombers this week against Gold Coast.

"He really hunts the footy, puts a lot of tackling pressure on," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"We know he can kick goals and contribute to a forward line that is going to kick goals as well."

Twelve months ago Essendon's third selection in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft Josh Begley had just finished playing for Upper Ferntree Gully in the Eastern Football League.

The teenager was carrying too much weight to be considered for the Eastern Ranges but he was dominating at local level.

Then those in the eastern region began to talk about how Begley's sharpshooting was too good to be confined to local football.

They spoke to the right people at the Eastern Ranges, who told Begley exactly what he needed to do to give himself a chance of making it at a higher level.

He needed to go on a diet, hit the gym and start to shred some kilograms. Begley didn't need to be told twice.

He kicked six goals on debut with Eastern Ranges, on his way to 27 goals for the season and all of a sudden he was in draft calculations.

Begley also came with strong recommendations from former Essendon premiership player Darren Bewick, Eastern Ranges coach.

"Darren Bewick virtually convinced me he would be a good pick for us," Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro joked.

"He emphasised how much upside this kid has got."

Essendon select Joshua Begley with pick No.31 in the 2016 National Draft.