Move over, Jason Horne-Francis, Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes has a new favourite player in the AFL.

It seemed an impossible task to trump the rising Port Adelaide superstar, but a young Essendon key forward is quickly rising up the ranks.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kane Cornes full of praise for Nate Caddy.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

There has already been plenty of buzz around Nate Caddy, but the hype is going into overdrive after another eye-catching performance on the weekend.

Caddy took seven marks and kicked three goals as the Bombers held on for an eight-point win over Sydney.

But it was also his workrate that impressed Cornes the most.

“I will break the news to the Hornet (Horne-Francis),” he said on Kane’s Call.

“Nate Caddy is the new one and it’s been bubbling away for a while. I would be that excited to be an Essendon fan.

“This guys is 19 years of age, so he is in the contest there, this is as good an effort as you’re going to see from a young key forward, he wins the ball twice and then watch him go, to bounce it at his size and then the workrate to go again.

“Just amazing second efforts ... watch him work to the forward 50 and end up having the shot at goal, he runs past (Tom) McCartin there, an experienced defender who couldn’t go with him.

“You can’t teach this, this is his second year, he’s 19 years of age, the athletic profile and then the workrate and the competitiveness of him. He’s one of my absolute favourites.

“That’s as good as you’ll see from a young key forward.”

Cornes is also a big fan of Essendon’s trajectory.

Along with Caddy, they also have an elite young small forward in Isaac Kako as well as young midfield led by skipper Zach Merrett.

And down back they have 23-year-old key defender Zach Reid, who is enjoying a breakout season.

It has Cornes excited about the future for the Bombers.

“They’ve got Caddy, an elite tall forward, they’ve got an elite small in Kako, they’ve got (Sam) Durham and (Jye) Caldwell, the midfield bulls, they’re well led by captain Zach Merrett and they are coached extremely well by Brad Scott,” he continued.

“I think the tide is turning for Essendon, not this year — they are going to have their ups and downs. But the next three or four years, don’t be surprised if they are the next Hawthorn and rocket up the ladder.”

Essendon are currently in ninth place with a 5-3 win-loss record, although they have one played one less game than every other team, except for Gold Coast.

They will look to continue their hot form against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night in what is looming as a cracking clash.