Yeah this is a development year as he had only played 18 games at AFL level at GWS over 4 years.
Also the difference between him at GWS and Essendon is we have rarely played him in the ruck. Which is something with his frame (most rucks have 10kgs on him) he has always struggled with. He needs to play only as the 3rd tall fwd and coaches have identified that.
Considering the role he plays as effectively a half forward and not the focal point he is contributing really well.
Like you say, GWS couldn't really give him enough time to develop him properly due to having an abundance of forwards to choose from but his progress this year I think along with McKenna has been our best.
I have no doubt that he can be ready to play a more focal point in a couple of years when Hooker starts slowing down.
I would be interested to know how early Dodoro started tapping him up because surely we weren't the only club enquiring about him.