News

Essendon hoping to secure quality talent

Monday, 21 November 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon will enter Thursday night’s National Draft confident of picking up three quality young players.

Manager of player and personnel Adrian Dodoro said the recruiters and coaching panel were looking to take the best available players, despite the club’s first selection at No. 19.

“Leading up to the Draft, everything is in order and we are confident that we will get a good outcome,” Dodoro said.

“We’ve only got the three picks in the National Draft this year, and we’re comfortable with where we are at. Obviously, we want the best talent available and we want to pick quality players.

“I am confident that from our picks, we’re going to get two really good players in pick 19 and 31 (as well as pick 59) and I think that with those selections, the Draft is really looking good in that area.”

Dodoro, who spoke exclusively to Bomber TV, said the club was just as focused on the Bombers’ rookie selections as the talent from Thursday’s National Draft.

“There is only a small percentage of the list being addressed on Thursday because we take the rookie selections just as importantly as we would in the National Draft,” he said.

“The work just starts because we’ve still got six rookie selections, so hopefully we can find another Heath Hocking or a Stewart Crameri who we brought up (to the senior list) over the last few years.”

Dodoro said last month’s Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium provided a good opportunity for the recruiting team to see the potential talent first hand ahead of the upcoming National Draft.

“The Combine was another opportunity to get to know the potential talent first hand. You really get to know a lot about the players personally and you marry that up with their football ability and then decisions are made from then for the Draft,” Dodoro said.

“Obviously, from a recruiting perspective, a lot of work has gone in to this year’s Draft, as with every year and we’re confident of a good outcome come Thursday night.”

Bomber fans can catch all the action from Thursday night's National Draft on Fox Sports live from 7.00pm onwards.

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When / what year did Adrian Dodoro take over as head recruiter? You have competition in Martin Gol, who's assessment of our picks I look forward to after the fact. Can't wait for Thursday to see who we can snaffle.

- Brad Scarr (posted 21/11/2011 5:13:22 PM)

looking 4ward 2 it

- MARK JONES (posted 21/11/2011 5:22:06 PM)

Brad!!! Adrian Dodoro is a smart operator and does a sterling job for Essendon. Me, much easier from the keyboard without the responsibility. But, yeah! it's nice to dabble-in-the-draft. In the space of 7 days my so-called phantom draft has probably changed a bit. I'm hoping for Markworth or Kavanagh @ #19 and Grigg/Sheridan/Ross or Kerridge @ #31. And goodness knows who @ #59. And I reckon AD has a fair idea!

- Martin Gol (posted 21/11/2011 5:54:32 PM)

The chances of getting an elite midfielder at Pick 19 are slim but not impossible. Zaka was taken at pick 23 (second round) in 2008 and 3 years later he's the Crichton Medalist.

- Rob Carew (posted 21/11/2011 6:00:33 PM)

This has got to be one of the hardest jobs in the AFL. I wouldn't do it for quids. Good luck to everyone involved. I just hope whoever the lucky bugger is that gets the nod, that they want to be apart of the Essendon footy club and they don't wish to be elsewhere.

- Brendan Burnie (posted 21/11/2011 6:13:42 PM)

We should get a highly rated player with pick 19, and the draft history shows that some very good players were chosen in the 30's, 40's and 50's, so we could get three really good ones.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 21/11/2011 6:25:47 PM)

This is a tough draft because of the dominance of GWS. 11 out of 14 really makes a mockery of the drafting process. Nevertheless, I'm sure Adrian and crew will do it again. Odds of 100 to one here, but what price Sheridan/Kavanagh (19) Kerridge/Ross (31) Downie/Manson (59) Crameri (75). At least I'll get one right.

- Wesley Hull (posted 21/11/2011 6:40:18 PM)

sounds good, hopefully we get Elliot Kavanagh. He looks awesome! Go BOMBERS!

- Rolf Buchner (posted 21/11/2011 6:46:57 PM)

Adrian is on a hiding to nothing with half our supporters, all of them experts after the draft, personally I think he has done a great job and is responsible for the exciting list we are all so hopeful for over the next few years. well done Adrian and his team I say! cheers, Paul.

- Paul Herbert (posted 21/11/2011 7:36:14 PM)

Probably a good idea only having 3 live picks this year in such a shallow draft because everyone is saying that next year will be the best for a long time, so at the end of this year expect a big cleanout

- Mark McLachlan (posted 21/11/2011 7:43:12 PM)

Who is Martin Gol?? Google says a football manager. I hope Mitch is still there at pick 31

- Marilyn Spero (posted 21/11/2011 8:03:38 PM)

Must get 2 quality mids in first 2 picks then we should look for a tall forward or again a mid. Then I believe we should always have 2 project rucks on rookie list as they take a long time .

- Chris Steffen (posted 21/11/2011 8:05:05 PM)

What about Hurley????? Please were is he at................. I will write this everyday until we all get a response

- Shayne Formica (posted 21/11/2011 8:11:44 PM)

Would it not be great if we pick up Kavanagh and he turns out to be another Heppell. Just the kind of break we need right now. Go Bombers.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 21/11/2011 8:26:05 PM)

elliot kavanagh, damian bujea, these two fanatic bombers within bujea highly rated midfilder with the cannons get him at 31.

- Jeddy Telescourt (posted 21/11/2011 8:37:37 PM)

How many times do you see it, high picks end up being the best players because they work harder to make it!

- Steven Boyle (posted 21/11/2011 9:02:37 PM)

i would like essendon to get pick 19 sebastion ross pick 31 hayden crozier pick 59 chad sandilands if availible at each pick

- jon grima (posted 21/11/2011 10:06:15 PM)

We expected Atley last year, nice bonus with Dyson, a Bomber supporter.Hope we can take a lad that wants to be part of our great club, can't wait - in Dods we trust, (and Marty Gol)!

- Brad Scarr (posted 21/11/2011 10:21:48 PM)

Would be very happy with any of your predictions Martin, except Kavanagh, just aint worth the risk

- Mark McLachlan (posted 22/11/2011 12:24:00 AM)

Dods you have done your homework no doubt. But just remember what our deficiency has been and thats is lack of class midfielders. Please draft players with no history of injuries.

- Ralph Lepore (posted 22/11/2011 9:05:21 AM)

Dodoro & his many assistants do all the watching live/videos, searching, homework, medicals, interviews, BUT the final decision/selection ultimately falls with the coach..

- Mark McLachlan (posted 22/11/2011 9:30:28 AM)

Who cares what position they play , most can adapt to new positions, just take the best available, no matter what they prefer, as long as they are team orientated, they won't care, as long as they get a game.

- Max Rodwell (posted 22/11/2011 10:26:51 AM)

Kavangah at #19 and Grigg or Ross at #31

- Luke Ferguson (posted 22/11/2011 10:51:41 AM)

Shayne the silence is deafening... not a good sign

- Mark McLachlan (posted 22/11/2011 11:23:15 AM)

Ralph, your post makes complete sense on the face of it, but remember - if we'd avoid injury-prone players a year ago we wouldn't have picked Hep!!

- Luke Smith (posted 22/11/2011 11:57:38 AM)

I'm sure some have noticed,but since ivar has "moved on".we don't hear many call Dodders a dud anymore...Many I am sure,including a chap fresh from the Premier Club in Matty Egan,seem to be quite impressed with what has been built up on the list in the past few years..... Go Bombers!!

- Noel Shields (posted 22/11/2011 12:31:36 PM)

Heppell wasn't "injury prone" there were "rumours" of a groin injury which were denied by Heppell & doctors, whereas Kavanagh HAD hamstring problems 2 years in a row, big difference between rumors & facts

- Mark McLachlan (posted 22/11/2011 1:05:09 PM)

Andrew Boseley the Fletch clone would be a great pickup, need a key defender as much as mids

- Mark McLachlan (posted 22/11/2011 1:11:40 PM)

Get Fev. Jimmy will sort him out.

- Jeanette Jennings (posted 22/11/2011 1:48:29 PM)

@ Mark McLachlan- Gone are the days that the head coach makes final decisions on whom they draft. They will tell their recruiting manager the type of player they are after but with time constraints on modern day coaches they would not have the knowledge and insight of the recruiting manager/team when it comes to the abilities of potential recruits and usually leave these final decisions in the hands of their staff.

- Robert Edgerton (posted 22/11/2011 1:55:22 PM)

I'm sure some have noticed,but since IB has "moved on".we don't hear the word dud anymore...Many I am sure,including a chap fresh from the Premier Club in Matty Egan,seem to be quite impressed with what has been built up on the list in the past few years..... Go Bombers!!

- Noel Shields (posted 22/11/2011 3:47:38 PM)

Once again what is going on with hurley??????? Mark you maybe on the money... I would give him a 1 year deal around 750-800

- Shayne Formica (posted 22/11/2011 4:07:52 PM)

Mark, good call, but I am afraid of the term "fletch clone". The last person described as that was Kepler Bradley (and to some extent, Cale Hooker)but neither can or will live up to that because...there can only be one Fletch! (ah, except his dad...that's two fletch's...there can only be two Fletch's). This is sounding a little like the Spanish Inquisition.

- Wesley Hull (posted 22/11/2011 4:48:02 PM)

@JJennings. Jimmy already has 4 children to sort out.

- Brad Scarr (posted 22/11/2011 4:58:28 PM)

Are there any little Fletch's you have excluded Wes,that might be "only be two,three,four.... sshhheessshhh... doesn't the mind boggle/play tricks... Rumour has it Brad,he does his share of the cooking and washing as well... no..noooo time for Fev Jeanette.. !

- Noel Shields (posted 22/11/2011 5:49:15 PM)

Good call Mark. Been saying it for weeks. We need a key defender to fill the whole Fletch will eventually leave. Better to get one now and let him learn from the master! Our midfield will be very intimidating in another 2 years, so focus on stopping other teams scoring against us, al la 2000!

- Josh Byrne (posted 22/11/2011 6:49:05 PM)

heh heh I like that one Brad, and spot on!!

- Jeanette Jennings (posted 22/11/2011 7:24:41 PM)

Brad Hill from West Perth, dont mess about Go.

- Neville Brooker (posted 22/11/2011 7:59:56 PM)

Take Nelson from West Perth -he had the best kick out of anyone and hit 29 out of 30 targets at draft camp-thats what we need someone who can KICK and hit a TARGET!!!!

- Mark Brooker (posted 22/11/2011 8:10:42 PM)

Good call Luke Ferguson.

- Mark Elze (posted 22/11/2011 10:58:27 PM)

Forrest Gump's Mum said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what your gonna get." Well, I'd assume chocolates, 'cause that's what it says on the box, anyhow, the draft is sorta like that. We know the kids can play footy, but some that look, dare I say it, 'delicious' can turn out ordinary and then a plain one can be a real hard-nut. We can read the descriptions on the classy paper in the lid before we try one, but the proof is in the eating, or this case drafting.

- Kris Bayne (posted 23/11/2011 10:46:41 AM)

Brendan Fevola has always been like a box of chocolates, too. In this case he is now one that has had its time in the sun – twice – melted, firmed up again but is now of a suspicious brownish colour. The box may say the same thing, and there might be an expectation of some joy, but only the young, inexperienced or desperate would eat them!

- Kris Bayne (posted 23/11/2011 10:47:25 AM)

Lovett???...

- Ralph Lepore (posted 23/11/2011 11:51:04 AM)

LOL!

- Kris Bayne (posted 23/11/2011 11:57:13 AM)

Ralph, I go along with that choice too

- Jeanette Jennings (posted 23/11/2011 12:01:58 PM)

Good one Kris,continuing your theme,perhaps Fev could be likened to Richard Harris's cake that was left out in the rain,it took so long to bake it and he could'nt take it and the recipe was gone. Jimmy is a lot of things but I dont think he's a baker. :-) Go Dons

- Bill Carbis (posted 23/11/2011 12:12:44 PM)

Good call Mark (Heppell was not injury prone.. just rumors). I will say it again forget Kavanagh and I am serious about Lovett as he is super hungry (remember when Stevie J had his troubles too). Look outside the square people.

- Ralph Lepore (posted 23/11/2011 12:23:51 PM)

A few want to start recruiting players for one,maybe two years... more band aid solutions..is that what you want..? Or do you want a side that will be similar to Geelong's,a dynasty that will stay together for another five,six,etc etc years.. like Bomber built,and has been in the rebuilding process here since patch up solutions were discontinued on a large scale from 2008 onwards..."look outside the square"?.. yes Ralph,indeed...

- Noel Shields (posted 23/11/2011 2:11:22 PM)

Noel, Stewie Dew your so called band aid brigade won the Hawks a premiership!!!!....

- Ralph Lepore (posted 24/11/2011 8:39:58 AM)

Ralph,Stewie Dew played a good game in the Grand Final win but it's a big call to say he won them the flag,do you think John Barnes won us the flag ?? :-) Go Dons

- Bill Carbis (posted 24/11/2011 12:21:40 PM)

Not the best example to come up with Ralph imo... We are not close yet to our side in 1999,when as Bill noted,Barnsie was recruited for 2000,as was Leon Baker at the end of 1983..Dew was recruited to a Club that was already a "deep" contender in the finals... Lovett & Fev will not be around when our opportunities to play deep in the finals each year start to become common place.. imo commencing about the second or third year up at our Tulla Base.. With shorter lists now,your endearingly romantic dream of picking up Fev & Andrew went out of fashion when our legendary KS was in his coaching prime.. Cheers :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 24/11/2011 4:16:31 PM)

Teams in the premiership window pick up impact/older players to either fill a niche or keep list pressure. Look no further than the recent Collingslug, Ralph L. Fantasy teams are about the only place Fevola or Lovett would appear in red and black.

- Kris Bayne (posted 24/11/2011 5:03:26 PM)