News

Essendon's best current-day rookie recruits

Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
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Essendon will add another six players to its list on Tuesday, when the club uses its remaining selections in the AFL Rookie Draft tomorrow.

The Bombers are ineligible to participate in the Pre-Season Draft, with GWS securing the first six selections.

Essendon has selections 11, 29, 47, 64, 78 and 85 in this year's Rookie Draft.

In the lead up to this morning’s AFL Rookie and Pre-Season Draft, we take a look at Essendon’s best current-day player rookie selections.

Rookie Draft: Year by Year (Current Players)

2004
Nathan Lovett-Murray
Lovett-Murray was drafted by Essendon at selection 27 in the 2004 Rookie Draft, after being previously picked up by Collingwood in 2001. He was elevated to the senior list in 2005 after an impressive debut season. Lovett-Murray’s versatile skills as a utility across the ground were instrumental for the Bombers in the 2011 season as the midfielder continues to impress and find solid form.

2006
Heath Hocking
The strong-bodied midfielder - elevated to Essendon’s senior list after being recruited as a rookie in 2006 - has impressed the Bomber faithful with his aggressive and tough football play, as well as his outstanding work ethic over the years. Hocking has consistently dominated between defensive and midfield roles and was rewarded as the club’s 2^nd best and fairest winner in 2010. The midfielder again proved his physicality with a strong 2011 season.

2010
Ben Howlett
Promoted off Essendon’s rookie list in 2010, Howlett proved his worth after a breakout season – ranking seconding at the club in tackles and being awarded the club’s best first year player in 2010. Known for his contested-ball winning abilities, Howlett had another impressive year in 2011, managing to play every game for the Bombers this season.

Stewart Crameri
Recently elevated to the club’s senior list, Crameri was drafted to Essendon in the 2010 Rookie Draft at selection 43 from the Bendigo Bombers. The strong left-footed forward recently claimed two club awards – the Matthew Lloyd Senior Leading Goal Kicking award and the most improved player – after a breakout 2011 season with the Bombers. Essendon will be hoping Crameri can continue his impressive form up the ground in season 2012.

Click here to view Essendon's draft history from 1986.

One Team. One Dream - Stand As One. Click here to purchase your 2012 membership today.

PLAYER PROFILE: Stewart Crameri
PLAYER PROFILE: Heath Hocking
PLAYER PROFILE: Ben Howlett

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All 4 players are, or will be, integral to us moving forward. NLM has been impressive forever (although looked outpaced at times last year), Heath & Ben have the makings of being brilliant in and under hard ball hard men and we've all been shown what the hulking S. Crameri is capable of. Onwards and upwards EFC!!

- Duncan Eastey (posted 13/12/2011 8:11:41 AM)

Just shows you how valuable the rookie draft is. Keep up the great work Essendon!

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 13/12/2011 10:52:34 AM)

These guys are living proof that gold can be found in the rookie draft, and that some late developers can turn out to be better than some early developers.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 13/12/2011 11:05:02 AM)

BLINK and you might miss Ararat's Lauchlan Dalgleish on the football field.Dalgleish is a speedster who makes his presence felt on a wing. A burst player, Dalgleish bolstered his draft chances with stunning results at AFL Draft Combine in October. The North Ballarat Rebel shone, finishing in the top five of the agility run, 20-metre sprint, 30-metre repeat sprint and clean hands tests. He recorded a personal best in the 20-metre sprint with a time of 2.86 seconds. Dalgleish, who kicked five goals in a match-winning performance in a rare game for the Rats this year. Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 13/12/2011 11:56:43 AM)

Corey Dell-olio, 21 years old Small/Medium Forward Midsized/small forward from South Fremantle that can find the sticks from pretty much anywhere. He has booted 50 goals from 19 games so far this year, improved his defensive chasing drastically and scored an invite to the draft screening in WA. Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 13/12/2011 11:57:34 AM)

Goosey highlighted defender Mark Baguley as an AFL prospect after a 31-possession best-afield display.Baguley also collected 14 marks and even kicked two goals. The 24-year-old is hot on Collingwood's radar and recently met Pies officials. "He’s strengths are exactly like Hibbo (Essendon’s Michael Hibberd), he’s just such a competitor. You throw the ball there and you don’t want to get tackled by him,' Goosey said. Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 13/12/2011 11:59:00 AM)

Brendan Lee, 24, had an outstanding year with East Perth that culminated in winning the club’s fairest-and-best award, the FD Book Medal, and finished fourth in the Sandover Medal. He has been rewarded for his efforts with an invitation to train at Essendon under the watchful eye of coach and Bombers legend James Hird. Lee also represented WA in the State Game against Queensland where he collected an impressive 35 possessions and could consider himself unlucky not to win the Simpson Medal for best afield for the Black Swans. Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 13/12/2011 12:00:34 PM)

Wasn't Kyle Hardingham a rookie as well?

- Paul Bosher (posted 13/12/2011 12:06:11 PM)

Diane, brilliant work. Thankyou for those insights. Based on your information Dalgleish, Dell'olio, Balguly, Lee and Long are all good picks. Hope to find something on Hunter soon.

- Wesley Hull (posted 13/12/2011 12:10:18 PM)

nice cut&paste Diannne. ;)

- Bob Davies (posted 13/12/2011 12:59:05 PM)

Well done Diane,all the efforts are warmly appreciated and love your work,passion,respect,support and loyalty :-) :-) We should be proud Ray to have a "Caroline W" leading the way amongst our midst eh.. :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 13/12/2011 1:04:49 PM)

Noel don't be so rude - Diane's at least twice the lady Wilson could ever hope to be! :)

- Duncan Eastey (posted 13/12/2011 5:06:23 PM)

Great stuff Diane, thanks. Ignore the ignorant ones.

- Bill Carbis (posted 13/12/2011 5:36:06 PM)

excuse yourself noel... Diane Trask is much more informative than Carro Wilson. She also has nice things to say about players. she doesnt appear to be out to destroy the career of anyone she can. and not that ive seen diane but id imagine she'd have a better head

- Ian Welsh (posted 13/12/2011 5:44:23 PM)

Now Duncan,Caroline is ok and a good Mum as well.. They both put a lot of blokes to shame with their intelligence,observation balance and nous.. Go Dons !!

- Noel Shields (posted 13/12/2011 6:07:53 PM)

Well done as usual Diane, thanx, love your work

- Mark McLachlan (posted 13/12/2011 7:17:17 PM)

Great work, Diane, for some useful and to-the-point info. Then came Bob.

- Kris Bayne (posted 13/12/2011 8:47:06 PM)

Good work Diane with all that insightful information. Thank you and just ignore the armchair critics (thankfully in the minority). You always do a great job with your posts.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 13/12/2011 10:28:24 PM)

Aw!guys,you are making me blush.Knowing some have slow internet overseas,glad to have helped.I see Bob,goes to the same school of spelling as Ray :-)Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 14/12/2011 11:11:21 AM)