News

Bombers hope potential gold will shine

Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

In the lead up to this week’s AFL National Draft, we take a retrospective look at the best players in modern history selected at pick 19, 31 and 59 – the Bombers’selections at this year’s AFL National Draft.

With the introduction of the GWS Giants – who are guaranteed 11 of the first 14 picks at this year’s National Draft – essendonfc.com.au investigates the calibre of playing talent previously on offer with the club's upcoming picks at the 2011 AFL National Draft.

Today, we take a look at the best of pick 31.

Simon Black (Brisbane Lions)
Recruited from: East Fremantle 1997
At 32 years of age, Brisbane champion Simon Black is still one of the AFL’s most decorated players. Currently on 296 matches, the hardworking midfielder was drafted by the Brisbane Lions from the East Fremantle Football Club, and debuted in round one of the 1998 season. The Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist was crucial in the club’s three premierships from 2001-2003 and proves to be one of the best No.31 selections in modern AFL history.

Paul Chapman (Geelong)
Recruited from: Calder Cannons 1999
Chapman made his debut for the Geelong Cats in 2000, after making an impression as a dangerous small forward and versatile midfielder. Chapman has played 222 games for Geelong, and was an integral part of the successful Geelong premiership teams in 2007, 2009 and 2011 – winning the Norm Smith Medal in the 2009 Grand Final.

Shane Wakelin (St Kilda)
Recruited from: SANFL Port Adelaide 1992
Wakelin was recruited from Port Adelaide in the 1992 AFL Draft and immediately impressed when he made his debut in 1994 with St Kilda as a tough defender. Injuries limited the defender’s opportunities at St Kilda and Wakelin was traded to Collingwood at the end of the 2000 season.

Ariel Steinberg (Essendon)
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers 2010
Exciting tall forward Steinberg was drafted by the Bombers at selection 31 in last year’s National Draft. The 19-year-old showed plenty of promise playing with the Bendigo Bombers during the season, as he seeks a senior berth in the 2012 season.

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Those of us who are stats nerds thank you, EI. Food for thought in those words. Angie :)

- Angeline Baron (posted 22/11/2011 10:11:31 PM)

Know Ariel can do it. Paul Chapman for Geelong was also a 31 pick in 1999. While we are on great 31's, Ben Chifley first won Macquarie as pick 31 for the Labor Party in the House of Reps. And while we are on great PM's, the mystic constitutionalist Alfred Deakin was member for Essendon in the Victorian Legislative Assembly 1889-1900 and said this in 1908: "When the tocsin sounds the call to arms, not the last, but the first, to acknowledge it will be those who have played, and played well, the Australasian game of football before they play the Australian game of nation-making and nation-preserving."

- Thomas Faunce (posted 23/11/2011 1:30:24 AM)

Around the mark - 1996 Jason Johnson (28), 1998 Danny Jacobs (36), 2006 Alwyn Davey (36), 2010 Ariel Steinberg (31). Even in a shallow draft there will be talent at #31. Interested to see today's phantom drafts, including Martin Gol's updated "day before the draft" version.

- Wesley Hull (posted 23/11/2011 9:12:48 AM)

I never understand why,some say.If you dont get the first couple of picks in the draft,you lose out.History shows,you can get a good pick from anywhere.Perfect example,look where Buckley and Hird were picked in the draft and where they both finished up,in their careers.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 23/11/2011 10:29:32 AM)

Just draft Pattens, Carniglio and Tyson and we'll be a good team.

- al Catraz (posted 23/11/2011 1:05:01 PM)

As for our Rookies. Matthew Little, Justin Maddern, Ben Duscher, Tom Campbell, Trent Shinners, Joe Daniher and David Meli. Our Pre Season draft.. Mark Blake (to replace Crows legend in the making Jenkins)

- al Catraz (posted 23/11/2011 1:08:03 PM)

Draft Ryan Gamble.

- al Catraz (posted 23/11/2011 1:08:34 PM)

Pick and hope is the order of the day. The element of luck is always a factor as witnessed in the past. You win some and you lose some. Our time is come to have a bit of luck on our side. The vibe in the air is feeling good.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 23/11/2011 1:26:55 PM)

True, Diane, but whereas the draft used to be a gamble, today its a science.

- alec shiffman (posted 23/11/2011 1:48:21 PM)

Just get a couple of good strong midfielders. We need depth in the midfield. Get another ruckman so Paddy can play up forward or if needed down back. Get youngsters with some mongrel and they have to have that hate to lose attitude! No sooks!

- Harry Calaghan (posted 23/11/2011 1:52:28 PM)

It's a pity that Ronnie Andrews doesn't have a couple of mongrels we could get under ther Father/son rule.

- Dave Blomley (posted 23/11/2011 3:06:58 PM)

i hope jason phelans fantacy draft pans out that way for us !! jobes cousin at 31 elliot at 19 and bolger at 59 seems like good picks to me although the hammy concerns on the fella we are looking at 19 which also led to scratchy 2011 form. personally i think he will be a little gem

- Ian Welsh (posted 23/11/2011 4:19:45 PM)

Everything went to plan last year till about pick 5 when the Lions took Polec and Tiges took Conca. After that nothing much went to script and we got Heppell. Same this year. Phantoms predict Kavanagh, but one slider like Sheridan, Grigg, Nelson will mean all bets are off. Would love Downie to slip to 59 but Bolger reads well. Seb Ross a good option but if he goes earlier it could push Elton, Kerridge or Talia our way. (All based on AFL Phantom Draft).

- Wesley Hull (posted 23/11/2011 5:04:33 PM)

C'est la vie....Que sera sera... We're as devious as the rest of "em. Go for it guys. Pick well. "In you we trust"

- Gail Taylor (posted 23/11/2011 8:38:24 PM)

Gotta go for Nelson if available- best kick in the DRAFT -hit 29 out of 30 targets-NOW thats what we NEED!!

- Mark Brooker (posted 23/11/2011 8:48:24 PM)