News

Dons seek diamond in the rough

Monday, 21 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 59.

Anthony McDonald (Melbourne)
Recruited from: Coburg 1996
Drafted at age 24 from Melbourne’s reserves, McDonald, who was selected by the Demons at pick 59, played 104 matches including the 2000 Grand Final loss against Essendon. The wingman, who appeared in six finals for Melbourne, was a key pick up for the Demons in the 1996 National Draft.

John Barnes (Essendon)
Recruited from: Geelong 1999
Barnes, who was picked up at selection 59, was a crowd favourite who played 58 games for Essendon in an AFL career that spanned 15 seasons. The promising ruckman debuted in round 10, 1987 but was traded to Geelong in 1991 after limited opportunities with the Bombers.

Former coach Kevin Sheedy recognised Barnes’ evolving talents and recruited him back to the club in 1999. Barnes was an integral part of the 2000 Premiership side.

Matthew Dundas (Fitzroy)
Recruited from: Assumption College 1988
A small, but gutsy rover, Dundas was recruited as the 59th pick by Fitzroy from Assumption College in 1988. He became a key player in a hard era at the Club, playing 73 matches and booting 61 goals from 1990-1993. Dundas moved to Richmond at the end of the 1993 season.

Craig Bird (Sydney)
Recruited from: Nelson Bay 2007
The Swans midfielder was drafted as the 59^th pick in the 2007 AFL Draft after previously being part of the NSW AFL Scholarship Program, and made his debut in round one of the 2008 season. Bird has played 62 games for Sydney since 2008 and continues to rise as a promising tagger.

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Was leroy jetta a priorty pick at 19?

- johnnny boy (posted 21/11/2011 9:07:41 PM)

Pick players with 2 arms and 2 legs and WANT TO PLAY FOR ESSENDON! eg Dyson Heppell.

- Steven Boyle (posted 21/11/2011 9:10:02 PM)

get kav

- mark Mizzi (posted 21/11/2011 9:31:12 PM)

Yes, some of the later picks can turn out to be extremely good players, and better than any of the recruiters imagined. Collingwood didn't expect Dane Swan to be so good, otherwise they wouldn't have left him until pick 58, and obviously no other club rated him very highly, likewise, Brian Harris, (now Brian Lake) at pick 71, and Adam Goodes at pick 43. Also, I think Michael Ross is doing very well for a pick 80. So we could to OK with picks 19, 31 and 59.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 21/11/2011 9:45:10 PM)

is it likly esendon will get chad sandilands at pick 51 and cause if he is half as good as his brother thats a good pick up

- jon grima (posted 21/11/2011 10:03:01 PM)

Not exactly pick 59, but here's some close examples. 1994 Blumfield (pick 62), 95 Berbakov (58), 2000 Bullen (63), 05 Lonergan (50), 07 Hooker (54) 2010 Davis (64). Of course, Hird at 79 and Hardwick at 87 were no mugs either.

- Wesley Hull (posted 21/11/2011 10:07:22 PM)

Steven Boyle...2 arms AND two legs...hmmm, get back to you, but I think that rules out Kavanagh.

- Wesley Hull (posted 21/11/2011 10:08:36 PM)

Thinking of Rita Coolidge this morning "the closer you get,the further I fall...",as the main DRAFT day looms.. oh so much more closer now... Also thinking of an 18yo "man of the match" debutant in Pat Cummins overnight,and the ole Fev... And what some pollies say,and do a bob and say the opposite,and what Hirdy and Bomber have said about Fev... comparing and mixing all the abovementioned thoughts,I then think of finding another "Pat Cummins" (who can "play" footy of course.. he he..) "type talent" amongst our picks...Who knows,maybe THREE of them.. Go You Mighty Bombers !! :-)

- me and bobby mc gee (posted 22/11/2011 10:03:42 AM)

Closer.. closer.. thank you Rita.. Another 10 mins closer to knowing our Draft Selections... building.. BUILDING.. Can I buy a jar full of soil,from OUR home base land site up Tulla way...? Go Bombers :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 22/11/2011 10:12:34 AM)

we want that cup bombers in 2012

- MARK JONES (posted 22/11/2011 11:23:20 AM)

Kav would be a top 5 pick if it wasn't for his injuries. But that could be a blessing in disguise for the Bombers IF his injuries are behind him. Seb Ross another midfielder, could also be a handy pick due to the fact he has some premium Bomber blood in him by being Jobe's cousin.

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 22/11/2011 12:22:45 PM)

Not much soil Noel, help yourself to some rocks and thistles though!

- Brad Scarr (posted 22/11/2011 12:49:28 PM)

Please Adrian,just make sure that who you pick can kick,poor disposal has been our bugbear for a long time.Time to stop the turnovers. And Bradley,there's gold under them there rocks and thistles

- Bill Carbis (posted 22/11/2011 4:34:54 PM)

..and soil under the gold.. he he... :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 22/11/2011 5:37:19 PM)

Brad Hill from West Perth, dont miss out again like with Stephen. A cousin of Ryder wot more do u need to kno. Go drafting tpye person, select B. HILL (West Perth)

- Neville Brooker (posted 22/11/2011 7:56:48 PM)

What happened with picks 19 and 31? I thought it was a retrospective look at all 3 picks, not just 59.

- Adriano Soldaini (posted 22/11/2011 8:42:16 PM)

What happened about picking up J. Maddern under father/son rule?

- Adriano Soldaini (posted 22/11/2011 8:56:32 PM)

Couple of nuts to Wesley!

- Steven Boyle (posted 22/11/2011 8:59:23 PM)

my selections would be (19 sheriden,31 kerridge, 59 ross) & smile all the way to the bank.we could pick up a good young tall as there should be a few available.

- jim young (posted 22/11/2011 9:00:59 PM)

That photo of Barnes Moorecroft and Longy - ahh those were the days!

- Steven Boyle (posted 22/11/2011 9:01:45 PM)

Adriano, we are taking a look one at a time. Here is pick 31 http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/a/Bombers-hope-potential-gold-will-shine/8691 19 will be tomorrow.

- Essendon Insider (posted 22/11/2011 10:24:34 PM)