News

Bombers prepare for draft at Combine

Friday, 7 October 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon’s recruiters were keeping a keen eye on the up and coming talent at this week’s NAB AFL Draft Combine.

Manager of player personnel Adrian Dodoro said the recruiters and coaching panel were exploring their options and looking to invest in midfield talent as the Bombers look to secure their next batch of emerging talent.

“There is a lot of talent out there and both Hirdy and midfield coach Simon Goodwin are happy with the players we have presented so far. We definitely think there are a couple of kids in contention to bolster our midfield next year,” Dodoro said.

Watch Dodoro talk about the up and coming talent on BomberTV →

Dodoro said this year’s AFL National Draft would be affected by the introduction of the GWS Giants.

“It’s an interesting Combine this year because there are 120 players in the draft and 18 teams– the most there has ever been,” he said.

“As was the case last year with the Gold Coast Suns, the GWS team will get the majority of the first round draft selections and by the virtual fact that we finished in the top eight this year, we end up getting pick 19 for our first selection. We’re hoping we can do some damage with that pick this year.

“The challenge for us is to know these up and coming players as well as we possibly can prior to trade week next week. We’re trying to gain as much knowledge as we can at the Combine,” Dodoro told BomberTV.

Dodoro said there was still a significant amount of recruiting work to do ahead of the AFL National Draft.

“From a recruiting perspective, there is quite a lot of work now leading up to the Draft. The Combine has proven to be a really good indictator and we will now conduct a secondary round of interviews based on the data we have,” he said.

“We will go in to trade week next week with an open mind.”

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Currently, with #19 in the national draft it would be difficult to hazard a guess as to who Essendon wants and gets. Maybe there's an opportunity to upgrade that pick by dealing with GWS. Yes, it would be nice to see Dons active in trade week.

- Martin Gol (posted 8/10/2011 5:05:43 PM)

If GWS don't pick him up, we should try and pick p Ahmed Saad from VFL, would make great addition to the side!

- Luke Ferguson (posted 8/10/2011 5:46:06 PM)

With picks 19 and 41 we should get real quality. Some say draft thins out after that so picks 59, 77 and 95 could potentially be used on speculators or mature age (Little? Duscher? Elsewhere?). Early word is next year's draft will be stronger and deeper AND not compromised as much as last two. Maybe stock youth next year. Of course, we may trade for better picks next week, making more room on our list, so things could yet change. Open mind is a very good idea.

- Wesley Hull (posted 8/10/2011 6:09:49 PM)

The Essendon Insider is taking a 'self-proclaimed' well deserved holiday for two weeks. Please look after EIT (Essendon Insider Temp) over the next fortnight. I know you'll all be on your best behaviour. I'll send you a postcard. Go Bombers!

- Essendon Insider (posted 8/10/2011 7:15:28 PM)

Take it easy, EI. You know who appreciates you! Let your keyboard down, put your mouse up and come back refreshed, kicking and screaming. And, hey, it could be worse - you might have been an umpire.

- Kris Bayne (posted 8/10/2011 7:22:11 PM)

In the past we have had some luck in the drafts, look at last year for one, Hurley, Myers, Ryder, Heppell, Zarka, Melksham, we always seem to net at least one, our stocks are not that bad, at least one seems to slip through the net, just like Heppell last year, and that one wasn't a bad catch, we have a good club with good advisers, and a few spotters around in them we must trust, Hirdy can't do it all.

- Max Rodwell (posted 8/10/2011 7:38:48 PM)

Was or is Joe Daniher nominating for this years draft or is it next year? Considered a 1st rnd last yr before the knee injury.Is he being considered as a father son nomination?Any info?

- andrew bryce (posted 8/10/2011 8:15:12 PM)

IIRC last year Dyson Heppell won the "clean hands" section at the draft camp. This year's winner is Elliott Kavanagh. Will lightning strike twice?

- Martin Gol (posted 8/10/2011 9:34:14 PM)

The experts often say that games are won in the midfield, and the Brownlow is nearly always won by a midfielder, so I can understand why Dodoro is concentrating on getting some, because we do need some more quality players to help Jobe, Zakka, Buddha, Howler and company. Jobe said in the paper a few weeks ago, that we need to have 8 to 10 players who can be rotated through the midfield, and I think he would know.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 8/10/2011 11:13:18 PM)

Andrew B - 2012 draft, father-son, first round, yay.

- Kris Bayne (posted 8/10/2011 11:59:05 PM)

Why dont we trade Stanton and Ryder for O'Meara and 2nd or 3rd round draft pick.

- George Kotoski (posted 9/10/2011 9:12:02 AM)

We really missed Michael Hibberd at the end of the year, hopefully he can get it right for 2012. We need another medium lock down defender, a ruckman and midfielders x 2. I keep hearing we are going after a big fish, might have to involve a 3 way trade with GWS and Stkilda or similar

- Alan Pratt (posted 9/10/2011 9:52:19 AM)

can not wait for another zaka

- Finn Macrossan (posted 9/10/2011 10:01:27 AM)

Happy holiday E.I. enjoy!! you seem to be a very diplomatic manager of the "comments pages"

- Gail Taylor (posted 9/10/2011 10:05:32 AM)

These draft picks arent a big problem. Last year the swans had 21, 40 and 57. They picked up Jed Lamb (who will be a gun once he gets over injury), Luke Parker (who was a regular in the second half of the year) and Alex Johnson (who become a key to their defence). Essendon could be the same this year. Lets hope so.

- Jaden Frigo (posted 9/10/2011 11:10:04 AM)

Stanton and Ryder for O'Meara and a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick... that will get the deal done!!

- George Kotoski (posted 9/10/2011 11:41:50 AM)

andrew bryce,joe daniher has committed 2 essendon at the end of nxt year and will be taken as a father/son pick,exciting talent from all reports

- Shane Briggs (posted 9/10/2011 12:16:38 PM)

With Welshy's and Darcy's retirements and four rookies delisted, we could pick up 6 youngsters to develop. I don't see the point in trading players for the sake of trade. Investment in and development of the talented list we already have is the way to go. We need to build up our boys to be bigger, harder and stronger - even ruthless. They need to be able to match up with the other teams. We are too easily pushed off the ball at times. Bigger builds may even assist in withstanding the crunches and heavy knocks.

- Rita Sharrock (posted 9/10/2011 12:16:40 PM)

So who's up for trade this week? Who would be a good fit for Essendon? On another thread I mentioned Koby Stevens. Today I'll include Jasper Pittard and Kane Lucas, not knowing their current status at their respective clubs. The burning question remains who do you give up to secure these trades?

- Martin Gol (posted 9/10/2011 1:58:42 PM)

Essendon should trade pick 19, 41, Ricky Dyson @ Scott Gumbleton to GWS for picks 31 & 11.

- Milan Pecer (posted 9/10/2011 2:56:24 PM)

Brilliant as usual Kris. Your posts never fail to bring a smile to my face. EI have a good break.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 9/10/2011 3:02:33 PM)

Hi Andrew....Joe will be eligble next years draft and has nominated to come to Essendon under the father and son rule. He could have gone to Sydney also, because his dad played there as well.

- Gary Freytag (posted 9/10/2011 7:55:58 PM)

Dodoro, Hirdy and others may have come back from the Combine (yet another Americanisation of our Indigenous game) and thought that not much was on offer, and may look to be active in this weeks trade period instead. Who knows? All the talk is that NEXT year's draft is looking great, so reckon they'll be more trading activity this week than in recent years. Will the Dons be part of any of it???

- Daisy Graham (posted 9/10/2011 9:12:50 PM)

Was wondering why I hadnt read anything about Joe Daniher. Think he can be drafted next year 2012, but i'm not holding my breath on Daniher, he needs to put some weight on before he can have an impact at AFL level. But at 17 or what ever age he is, he is a stand out and the bombers are very lucky to be able to draft him under the father son

- Gerard Smith (posted 9/10/2011 10:01:21 PM)

don't worry EI, I will keep an eye out for any 180's or crude comments from Hugh/Glenn (aka Noel) whilst you are away! Marg.

- Margaret Dickson (posted 9/10/2011 10:44:04 PM)

If we're going to invest in midfield talent, then we should be keeping watch over guys like Toby Greene, Mitch Grigg, Taylor Adams and Devon Smith. I hear Greene is a ball magnet and Grigg is a clearance machine. Either will slot nicely into the midfield.

- Joel Fruci (posted 10/10/2011 11:56:38 AM)

get fevola for a year or 2 ....... who knows?

- Joshua Hickey (posted 10/10/2011 1:02:40 PM)

Early indications suggest the mini-draft to "buy" O'Meara, Crouch, et.al. is going to be a very expensive mission. Equally, upgrading #19 may prove difficult. IMO Joel F. is on the right tram and I like his track with phrases like "ball magnet" and "clearance machine" for it makes interesting reading.

- Martin Gol (posted 10/10/2011 7:11:19 PM)

Try again George! I notice no-one has jumped on board with you. I think you take us for fools - as that is who your statement (x 2) must be directed at. Maybe Margarobert will bite?

- Brad Scarr (posted 10/10/2011 7:16:20 PM)

Thanks Gary,Kris&Shane,had joe in for this draft for some reason???

- andrew bryce (posted 10/10/2011 7:18:06 PM)

sheeds will give us good midfeild kids for ricky dyson and henry slattery do a deal now

- PETER theodosiou (posted 10/10/2011 9:04:23 PM)

what about Hale Hooker for James Kelly, as Milburn has retired and the Cats would be looking to bolster their defence.

- Dion Mouzakis (posted 12/10/2011 10:00:14 AM)

It's amazing how people think you can offer GWS trades for draft picks and they will jump at the chance to take our discarded players.

- Ian Moore (posted 12/10/2011 11:53:27 AM)

SO PEOPLE if you could choose ONE trade-in before Monday's 2pm deadline, WHO realistically would it be? My choice would be Koby Stevens.

- Martin Gol (posted 13/10/2011 10:13:51 PM)