Essendon VFL coach Hayden Skipworth says the club’s ability to have two players drafted into the AFL system is a ‘great result’ for the Bombers VFL system.

Midfielder Zac O’Brien and Patrick Ambrose were both picked up in Wednesday’s rookie draft by Brisbane and Essendon respectively.

Skipworth said it was exciting to see the pair rewarded for strong seasons at VFL level.

“We set out to try and feed players into the Essendon system, unfortunately one went to Brisbane but overall it is agreat result for us,” Skipworth said.

O’Brien was fighting for a position on the Bombers VFL list in October last year, in October this year he was taken atselection 23 in the Rookie Draft by the Lions.

The hard running midfielder is an excellent user of the ball and showcased his abilities in the second half of the season in the club’s VFL team.

“We plucked him out of the EDFL, I played with him a few years ago at Aberfeldie and he won the best and fairest there among players such as Mal Michael and Damien Pevrill,” Skipworth said.

“We got him down to do a pre-season, he was down to the last three or four spots on our VFL list and we couldn’t not put him on because of his work rate and desire.”

“He played 12 or 13 games this year and dominated when he did play VFL.”

Skipworth said he had been in contact with Ambrose who landed at the Bombers with selection 26.

“Patty is pumped, really excited and thankful for the opportunity that the club has given him,” he said.

“He can’t wait to get started, already wants to know when training starts and wants to get into it.”

Skipworth said the attention now turned to recruiting the best young talent to the club’s VFL list for the 2014 season.

“We are sitting down with Bomber and Adrian to work out the unlucky guys that just missed out on getting selected this year,” Skipworth said.

“Hopefully we can put them into our VFL program and then onto the Essendon senior team or rookie list next year.”