New recruit Jayden Laverde has revealed All Australian defender Cale Hooker played a significant role in the week’s leading up to him being drafted on Thursday night.

After being touted as a top ten selection by many experts, Laverde slipped through to the Bombers who couldn’t resist the opportunity to take him with pick 20.

The 18-year-old has been working closely with Hooker over the last week’s to maintain his training intensity in the lead up to the National Draft.

“I have been doing some work with Hooksey, he has been great the last couple of weeks getting some extra fitness in with the boys,” Laverde said.

“He text me the other night just saying to relax and wait to see what happens and that it doesn’t really matter as it is just a number.

“I am very thankful to get drafted, I’m very pleased and appreciate his support.”

Laverde said he learnt plenty training alongside one of the premier defenders in the competition.

“It was defiantly the training intensity and how hard he works that stood out,” Laverde said.

“His professionalism is the big thing, so I will be trying to mould myself on him as an All Australian AFL player so that is something I can aspire to.”

A life long Essendon fan, Laverde hails from Keilor Downs living just ten minutes from his new home at the True Value Solar Centre.

“I was just that excited, I didn’t know where I would be and Essendon came along so I was stoked,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe it, obviously the family are very excited and it was just an unreal feeling.

“I wasn’t really sure where I would be going in the draft so it was pretty unexpected,”