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Dodoro pleased with new rookie talent

Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon has bolstered both its midfield and forward stocks after drafting a number of promising rookies in this morning’s 2011 AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Draft.

Manager of player personnel Adrian Dodoro said the club’s recruiting department were pleased with Essendon’s overall selections.

“We’re really happy with the picks we’ve taken, as we’ve recruited six quality players in this year’s Rookie Draft,” Dodoro said.

“Our first selection in Lauchlan Dalgleish is really pleasing. He is a midfielder with exceptional speed and he uses the ball very well.

“Lauchlan has really impressed everyone at the club in the training programs before the draft, so we’re very happy to have him on board,” he said.

The club has also welcomed 22-year-old small forward Corey Dell'Olio from South Fremantle, after being drafted at selection 29 this morning.

Dodoro said Dell’Olio’s dangerous goal kicking abilities would benefit the Bombers’ forward line.

“Corey Dell’Olio is a small forward from South Fremantle and he is an impressive goal sneak,” he said.

“He kicked 57 goals in his senior side for South Fremantle this year and is a player we believe can step up to senior football in the future.”

With the club’s third selection, Essendon took mature age defender Mark Baguley from Frankston and Dodoro said the club was attracted to his impressive combination of speed and agility.

“Mark Baguley is a 24-year-old from Frankston who plays as a small defender. He reads the game extremely well and kicks the ball very well,” Dodoro said.

“Mark has great speed and agility so we’re really looking forward to welcoming him to the club.”

Dodoro said the club’s fourth selection in medium defender Hal Hunter was a pleasing get for the club, despite the 18-year-old’s previous injury history.

“Hal comes to us from the Calder Cannons and at 18 years of age, he is a strong bodied mid come half back,” he said.

“He played for Vic Metro this year but unfortunately sustained a few injuries throughout the season. Our medical team suggests we can get him really right during this year so we think that Hal will be able to have a good season for us next year.”

Essendon used its fifth selection to recruit mature age midfielder Brendan Lee from the East Perth Football Club.

“Brendan won the best and fairest award for his club this year and is a player that had over 500 possessions in the WAFL this season alone,” Dodoro said.

“He is a player we believe can really step up and is ready to go and we’d hope he can play senior level football next year.”

Former senior listed player Anthony Long is set to return to the club, after being re-recruited as a rookie with Essendon’s final selection this morning.

Dodoro said the club remained faithful to Long and believed in his playing ability, despite his reoccurring hamstring injuries in the past.

“We are really pleased to have taken Anthony back on our list, after he seems to have overcome his hamstring injuries,” Dodoro said.

“We have a very high opinion of him, so it is really pleasing to see him back on the list and we look forward to seeing what Anthony has in store for us.”

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No Shane Nelson from, West Perth. Wots going on

- Neville Brooker (posted 13/12/2011 1:20:13 PM)

I've changed my opinion! looked at Cory's profile before, elevate him the the seniors effectively immediately! Dell'olio kicked 110 goals in 58 senior games for South Fremantle. at 22 years of age, can understand why we didn't draft Matt Little. Little is 25.

- Al Catraz (posted 13/12/2011 1:20:54 PM)

Well done Dodders & Co... to achive that impressive list,you have burnt the candle at both ends with your homework :-) Great to see the reward for Anthony Long with his slow return to some sort of base fitness,starting from a long way back.. 12 months playing at Bendigo hopefully,will just be what the doctor ordered for the future career.. :-) Welcome to Bomberland to all our new rookies!! All the very best for all of you :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 13/12/2011 1:21:45 PM)

been thinking, what about David Meli? former coach signed Meli as an International rookie, in 2009, he is now 19, why don't we draft him?

- Al Catraz (posted 13/12/2011 1:22:04 PM)

Welcome to this mighty club of ours boys. Great to see Anthony given another opportunity. Hope he has better luck this time around wiht his injuries.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 13/12/2011 1:22:24 PM)

Pt 2... Well done Dodders & Co... to achieve that impressive list,you have burnt the candle at both ends with your homework :-) Great to see the reward for Anthony Long with his slow return to some sort of base fitness,starting from a long way back.. 12 months playing at Bendigo hopefully,will just be what the doctor ordered for the future career.. :-) Welcome to Bomberland to all our new rookies!! All the very best for all of you :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 13/12/2011 1:23:51 PM)

Congratulations to everyone picked,looks very promising from all fronts,watched a lot of wafl this year and to pick up corey dell'ollio is a fantastic pick up,he is a very damaging player ,has a great kick ,knows were the goals are and is a hard worker,cant wait to see them all in the mighty black and red,go the dons...

- rocco scamozzi (posted 13/12/2011 1:33:43 PM)

the proof will be in the pudding. we have all seen Lovett playing at an elite level (not talking about it). GO BOMBERS!

- Bob Davies (posted 13/12/2011 1:34:29 PM)

What happened to the plans to recruit a potential ruckman?

- roger bott (posted 13/12/2011 1:37:29 PM)

MERRY XMAS FANS

- MARK JONES (posted 13/12/2011 2:16:30 PM)

What were Hal's injuries he sustained.. ???

- Mark McLachlan (posted 13/12/2011 2:31:12 PM)

would sandilaids have been an option in the rookie darft at all??

- jon grima (posted 13/12/2011 2:42:26 PM)

Cory Dell`Olio's stats for this year at Sth Freo 21 games 182kicks, 95 handballs, 55 goals, 76 tackles, 16 frees for, 19 against. Alot to like about that at Snr level 1 grade down from the AFL

- Johann Sebastian-Wilson (posted 13/12/2011 2:54:24 PM)

On another thread, some are a little put out that bendigo has lost about 6 players. True, but they will likely gain all of today's picks as well as Kavanagh, Merrett, O'Brien and maybe even Ladson. Lists change, but ours seems to be a change for the better. Good luck to all...those coming and those going.

- Wesley Hull (posted 13/12/2011 3:03:10 PM)

Hopefully these draftees will live up to expectations and Anthony Long can overcome his hamstring. I agree Bob, the proof will be in the pudding. Very dissapointed that Andrew Lovett wasn't picked up. Think I'll buy a roll of gaffer tape for Christmas.

- Rita Sharrock (posted 13/12/2011 3:21:57 PM)

With Prismall likely to be on the long term injury list for half a season, there is a great opportunity for a rookie to snare an upgrade to the senior list.

- Geoff Cliff (posted 13/12/2011 3:29:21 PM)

I'm sure all the new boys are good selections, because we have faith in Adrian and his team. But if there's one selection that has really lifted the spirits it's Anthony Long. I really hope the boy can make it, because in what we've seen of him, he looks all class.

- Graham Flynn (posted 13/12/2011 3:34:16 PM)

EI, any chance of getting a like/dislike tab on peoples comments in the near future?

- Morgan Betts (posted 13/12/2011 3:41:56 PM)

Could Dell`Olio be the steal of this years draft? 21 games, 50 odd goals, and 65 or 70 tackles in the forward line. I spent a weekend in Perth earlier this year and saw him kick 5 for the game, I'm surprised there wasn't much talk about him in the lead up to the draft......he looks ready made for AFL footy

- Johann Sebastian-Wilson (posted 13/12/2011 3:53:00 PM)

Good pick up in Lee from East Perth-he was top 3 in WAFL this year and will slide straight into our midfield.What happened to Nelson from West Perth- best kick in the U18 draft camp yet no one wants him there must be something that we don't know about him?

- Mark Brooker (posted 13/12/2011 3:59:23 PM)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWwL2YKDlzM Anthony Long is a huge talent!!! The space he creates and his use by foot are very impressive. I really hope he can get fit AND is given a chance to play at the senior level this year...would be a very nice rebounding back flanker

- Alex Bornsztejn (posted 13/12/2011 4:18:46 PM)

After reading Dodoro's interview on the AFL website it is clear that all players have beeen on our radar for some time. I like what he says that recent rookies were not deemed ready to step up to seniors but most of this crop are, with time to work on Dalgleish and Hunter.

- Wesley Hull (posted 13/12/2011 4:33:03 PM)

That photo is clearly not from this year. Has Welsh in it and they're in Samsung branding. With some of the talent brought in this drafting period it will be interesting to see the pressure put on the senior list for spots. Good luck boys, bring on 2012!!

- Duncan Eastey (posted 13/12/2011 5:16:33 PM)

im sorry guys long yeah its good to see him get another crack... but id have lovett over him any day of the week... sorry mate but he just seems to be as durable as scott gumbleton...how long can we wrap people in cotton wool ?? dont know too much about the other new blokes other than what ive just read. but it seems our first pick is a sprinter... ok he may be a bit of a jet but can he use the ball... i hope so !!good luck fellas hope you all turn into superstars and put pressure on the 22 for selection asap

- Ian Welsh (posted 13/12/2011 5:35:26 PM)

Sounds like Davey and Jetta better lift their games now with Corey D on our list. Speaking of Leroy, EI, how's his preseason going? He was clearly in our best 3 for the first 5 or 6 rounds this year, then seemed to drop away. Expecting to see him bigger and hungrier in 2012.

- Josh Byrne (posted 13/12/2011 6:24:41 PM)

Hal Hunter's injuries were "hammies" so we have picked up 3 players with major hammy injuries in 2 drafts, put them with Gumby & Hooker make up 11% of our total list, then add Jobe & Hockings as well, add the 8-10 who are either past it or proven over the last 3-6 years just not up to it leaves a very small but extremely talented group, treading on thin ice. but if any team can do it Essendon can...

- Mark McLachlan (posted 13/12/2011 7:37:42 PM)

Sounds promising but to be fair according to everyone at the club coaches and recruiters we have 30 odd All Australians on our list ATM not every player we draft is a steal lets be realistic

- Graham Darko (posted 13/12/2011 7:38:00 PM)

hirdy wanted to draft another ruckman. what happened doesn't he get a say in who we draft?

- Brett Ritchie (posted 13/12/2011 7:44:53 PM)

One of the young guys I work with played top under age footy with Baguley & said we have done well getting this guy.I think our recruiting staff have done a lot of work on these players.Let's hope they are as good as the reports say they are!!!!AFL clubs beware there's a Bomber Revolution on the way!!!!

- John Patrick Byrne (posted 13/12/2011 8:41:59 PM)

all the people complaining about ruck stocks, lets not forget a ruck in on the horizon with father son ... we can can get through 2011 with 3 rucks not to mention Carlisle is listed as 198cm witch 2cm more than ryder

- Anthony Doyle (posted 13/12/2011 9:32:14 PM)

Is Dianne a part of the recruiting team?

- John Stuckey (posted 13/12/2011 11:40:38 PM)

Sounds like you did well. Good work Adrian. Welcome to all, especially good to see Anthony Long return. If we keep injuries to a minimum our depth looks pretty good.

- Gail Taylor (posted 13/12/2011 11:43:42 PM)

Very pleased with all of the players we have drafted for 2012, their is some super talent their and earning a spot in the Seniors is not going to be easy for anyone. Glad to see Long given another chance but along with Gumby if it doesn't happen for them in 2012 then that has to be the end of it. Good luck boys.

- Rod Hooker (posted 13/12/2011 11:45:07 PM)

No ruckman? Was there anyone actually worth drafting? If the answer is no, then you pick better qualified players for other positions. That's what we did.

- Ian Moore (posted 14/12/2011 1:12:10 AM)

Seems to be a good mix but what about the ruckman we were going to get.

- Ralph Lepore (posted 14/12/2011 9:17:34 AM)

Very pleased with our picks,well done coaching staff.Hird said they would look at bolstering our ruck stocks,but in the same sentence,he also said they would pick the best player available.They did.John,you give me to much credit.I put all the info on the players after,they were picked.Hopefully this gave an insight to the players and knowing many wouldn't have had the time.Martin Gol picked 3 out of the six,he is our member recruiter.Well done Martin.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 14/12/2011 10:16:41 AM)

Sense the careful choice in these recruits and some smoke screens. As to those that missed out- Matt Little--fair enough he got to train on. But Ben Duscher (BB Best&F) and Nick Ryan (NSWAFL Rising Star & profiled here) will hopefully be given another look next year after they've bulked up.

- Thomas Faunce (posted 14/12/2011 12:35:30 PM)

Shane Valenti won the last 2 Liston trophies, but no AFL club thought he was worth getting, not even as a late rookie pick, that is just one example of how hard it is to make it in the AFL. Also, I read in the "Age" recently that of all the players drafted as rookies in the last 5 years, less than 20% have even been promoted to a senior AFL list. Dodo has looked for talent over a broad area, and maybe, well over 20% of our new rookies will at least make it to our senior list.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 14/12/2011 1:07:07 PM)

Gonna be in trouble with only 2 true ruckmen on the list (I still think Ryder should play a Goodes style rather than in the ruck)

- Edward Nott (posted 14/12/2011 4:06:35 PM)

Selecting some rookies is the way to go..... Pressure on all players to perform is as good as it gets.....

- Victor Tallis (posted 15/12/2011 5:41:37 PM)