News

Essendon's past rookie recruits

Monday, 12 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.

Essendon is 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 Tuesday’s AFL Rookie and Pre-Season Draft, we take a retrospective look at Essendon’s best past player rookie selections from 1997.

Rookie Draft: Year by Year (Past Players)

1997
Mark Johnson
Johnson was elevated to the club’s senior list in 1999 after two promising years in the reserves. He was a key figure in Essendon’s premiership win against Melbourne in 2000, and later claimed the 2002 Crichton Medal following an outstanding season for the Bombers.
Known for his hard running, aggression and consistency Johnson was a fan favourite and after a stellar career at the Bombers, was traded to Fremantle in 2008.

Gary Moorcroft
A small but tough player who was placed on Essendon’s rookie list in 1995, Moorcroft was a consistent performer who had the ability to take high marks. He was a key figure in the 2000 premiership winning side, but will most likely be remembered for his spectacular mark against the Western Bulldogs in 2001. Moorcroft was later drafted by Melbourne in 2003 but only managed to play three games.

1998
Dean Rioli
Rioli made his debut in 1999 after being elevated from the rookie list in 1998, and proved to be a dangerous half-forward with great poise and the ability to find space. Rioli’s skill and aggression were on display during the 2005 season, but the following season he was restricted by injury. A career cut short by injury, Rioli will be remembered for his silky skills and ability to read the game.

2001
Damien Peverill
Peverill’s no nonsense approach to football was admired by Bomber fans, as the tough tagger was elevated to the senior list after being drafted as a rookie in 2001. He was one of Essendon’s most consistent performers in season 2002 and finished fifth in the club’s best and fairest awards that year. Peverill finished his career with Essendon after playing 10 games for the club in 2008.

2000
James Podsiadly
Podsiadly was originally recruited by Essendon in the 1999 Rookie Draft with selection 58 after playing for the Western Jets. Following 19 games with Essendon’s reserve team in the VFL, Podsiadly was de-listed. Podsiadly is now a dominant key-forward for the Geelong Cats.

2004
Andrew Lovett
Lovett was elevated from the rookie list in 2005 and made his debut in fine form – exciting all with his skill, speed and poise. He was best afield in only his third senior match, claiming the Anzac Day medal against Collingwood in 2005. Lovett managed only 16 games in 2007 after being restricted by injury. In 2009, it was announced that Lovett had accepted a trade to St Kilda.

Tomorrow, we look at Essendon’s current-day player rookie selections.

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

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Boseley would be a bonus as we desperately need key defenders, Tuck would be a good pick up & have a look at Charlie Riewoldt, pretty good blood lines, no more forwards required

- Mark McLachlan (posted 12/12/2011 12:33:53 PM)

There certainly has been some talent come from the rookie draft. As well as those players mentioned above, there was Crameri at pick 43, and some from other clubs were: McDonald, Kirk, Michael, Milne, Robertson, Lockyer, Cox, Bassett, Jolly, Sandilands, Bock, Boyd, Sewell, Maxwell, Morris, and O'Brien. So we should take it seriously tomorrow. I wouldn't mind if we picked up Aaron Hall, Ben Duscher, and Shane Velenti, but I know that there are quite a few other good prospects in the mix.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 12/12/2011 1:01:44 PM)

all taken during the SHEEDS era.

- ''sausage'' Roel Shields (posted 12/12/2011 1:32:39 PM)

Yep all 4 reasonable rookies in 27 years out of how many picks...

- Mark McLachlan (posted 12/12/2011 2:41:39 PM)

Lovett had his magic moments on the field but at the end of the day he wasn't really a team player and his talent went to his head. Unfortunately for him this became his undoing off the field and fortunately for us we got rid of him.

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 12/12/2011 2:58:47 PM)

One of the "other" Shields is clearly a biased minded one,clearly not like this Shields,who has supported all coaches and Essendon unconditionally,at times making me appear the fool..But that love and support for all things EFC remains steadfast.. Roll On The Rookie Draft!! Go Dons :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 12/12/2011 5:35:12 PM)

All taken in Sheeds era, none lasted for long with us or ended up elsewhere with tat awesome trading early in the decade? Go to work will you bobalina, or is that all in the past like everything else? Aaron Hall looks the goods, midfield - forward. I am also sure Tuck would look that good if not better in that grade. Frost and Boseley, tall defenders, mmmm?

- Brad Scarr (posted 12/12/2011 6:00:30 PM)

GET FEV!!!!!!!!

- Kieran Rimmer (posted 12/12/2011 6:24:31 PM)

How good was Mark Johnson to watch.

- Gail Taylor (posted 12/12/2011 6:43:26 PM)

How gutsy was Pev?

- Wayne Purcell (posted 12/12/2011 7:47:49 PM)

Mark McLachlan - don't forget Stewart Crameri & Ben Howlett.

- Ian Harrop (posted 12/12/2011 8:08:58 PM)

Get Fev? Are you having a joke Kieran?

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 12/12/2011 8:13:02 PM)

Agree with Gail, Johnno was fab to watch. So was Andy Lovett. Also agree with Kieran. Get Fev

- Jeanette Jennings (posted 12/12/2011 8:13:53 PM)

Unbelievable..... our great coaches are trying to build a real team culture and get our team back to the way they were and silly idiots say "get Fev" the most immature individual, next to Capper to ever play footy.....please be constructive or just be quiet....

- Klaus Kassek (posted 12/12/2011 9:58:15 PM)

Matt jones from labrador training with dogs at the moment 23yo mid

- steve finch (posted 12/12/2011 10:03:38 PM)

That photo brings back such lovely memories. I am sure that some of our present Rookie gems eg Crameri, Howlett will do us a proud in this coming era of Bomber success.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 12/12/2011 10:59:40 PM)

Fev???? No Way!!!! GET LOVETT BACK!!!!!!

- Rita Sharrock (posted 13/12/2011 12:46:39 AM)

Aaron Hall will go to GWS, we should have got Boseley b4 another not required forward, but hope he is still available, NOOOO injury prone players or rellies please

- Mark McLachlan (posted 13/12/2011 9:47:00 AM)

Ian Harrop, did Sheeds recruit those 2, 1 of which I rate as a very good player

- Mark McLachlan (posted 13/12/2011 9:50:59 AM)

Well said Klaus. Voss put his club back two years. Jimmy has so far jumped forward two. Why would we look at 2 - 30 year olds that of course say they have 3 or 4 years left in them - rubbish!

- Brad Scarr (posted 13/12/2011 10:50:45 AM)