A phone call from list manager Adrian Dodoro just hours out from the National Draft had new recruit Kyle Langford hoping to be drafted to the Bombers.

Langford was taken with selection 17 in Thursday night’s draft after earlier being tipped as a potential top ten prospect.

It was an early birthday present for the 17 year old that celebrates his 18^th birthday on Monday.

The versatile forward said a phone call from Dodoro late on Thursday afternoon assured him it was the red and black he wanted to be wearing in 2015.

“I couldn’t believe when my name actually did get called out, it has been a long time waiting and Essendon are a terrific club so I am stoked to be a part of it,” Langford said.

“They were the club going into the draft that I really wanted to go to.”

“I got a call earlier on today from Adrian and he said a few things but other than that I had no idea.

“It was as much of a surprise to me as it was to everybody else.”

Langford said the club’s blockbuster clashes against traditional rivals was something he was looking forward to being involved with.

“It is unbelievable and something that as you watch as a kid you always want to be a part of,” he said.

“You watch those games and the big moments, obviously the club plays in Dreamtime and ANZAC Day which are big moments in history so I am really excited to be a part of that.

“I can’t wait to get stuck into it..”

Recruited from the Northern Knights, he is simply looking to earn the respect of his teammates throughout the pre-season.

“My only goal is to really put my head down, work hard and earn my spot in the team.”

“I am aiming to earn respect from my teammates and hopefully I could be playing next year."