News

Knights excited by big name recruit

Friday, 27 November 2009
Craig Rowston for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

The selection of Anthony Long - nephew of Bomber champion Michael - has coach Matthew Knights excited.

The 18-year-old was taken with Essendon's final pick in the AFL National Draft (pick No.33 overall).

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"Our last pick was still a high pick at 33. Obviously (he has) hugely famous blood lines at the Bombers," he said.

"We will never forget some of the runs Michael Long did on the big stage and it's great to have another Long join us. He (Anthony) is a great young man, he is at Melbourne University studying and he is switched on - we have spoken to him and he is really pumped about being at our club."

Standing at 187cm and weighing in at 74kg, the Calder Cannon running defender is agile with an excellent vertical leap and was offered a place on the Gold Coast’s list but turned it down.

To watch the Knights interview click here.

Knights described the draft as a "successful evening" and said he was comfortable with the decision not to take Luke Ball saying the club wanted to go with four talented young players.

"Also, as a coach, I made the decision to back our list in, to back our midfielders in," he said.

"Whether that's Mark McVeigh, Andrew Welsh, David Zaharakis, Jason Winderlich, Sam Lonergan, those type of players. Brent Prismall we acquired last year in the trade period and of course Jobe Watson our reigning Crichton Medalist. I felt we wanted to back our list in and give them confidence to take their footy to new levels."

Knights said he had a nervous wait to get gun 18-year-old midfielder Jake Melksham at pick No.10.

"He was best on ground in the TAC Cup Grand Final this year and he is obviously a local boy," he said.

"We weren't quite sure that he would be there at pick 10 with Port having picks eight and nine. It's great to have him."

To watch national recruiting manager Adrian Dododo discuss the night click here.

The Bombers considered taking Anthony Long with pick 24 but when 196cm Jake Carlisle slipped through they struck. The club had expected him to be taken in the high teens.

"We have drafted a lot of key position players over the past two years but to add another player that can play defence or attack is really great for us and probably gives us the option to play a Michael Hurley at either end or Cale Hooker at either end," he said.

Knights said the Bombers recruiting staff were also excited that All-Australian midfielder Travis Colyer was still there at pick 26.

"Travis was outstanding in the U/18 carnival and played for Western Australia at Etihad Stadium in the final game and was absolutely superb," he said.

"He is a smaller player and is a genuine midfielder who breaks the lines and uses his speed. I guess with Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer we have upped the speed ante again."

Knights reflected that the trading of Andrew Lovett ultimately delivered Essendon Mark Williams and the picks used on Jake Carlisle and Anthony Long.

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PLAYER PROFILE: Anthony Long

Your comments

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Welcome to the best club in Australia, boys!

- Bob Lang (posted 27/11/2009 12:56:44 PM)

picks seem ok

- don carter (posted 27/11/2009 1:15:17 PM)

my pop played for hawthorn does that mean im an automatic draft pick this was a poor trade so many more talented players out there and we went with long because of his uncle very poor.

- Brett Martin (posted 27/11/2009 1:26:48 PM)

Hey Insider just wondering how the rookie system works and how many picks we have in the next draft? With losing 7 players and only recruiting 5 does that mean we have two picks?

- Joel Brand (posted 27/11/2009 1:31:13 PM)

Fantastic to have another Longy at our proud club. Also great to see our coach being decisive and backing our current mid-fielders to do the job. I am pretty staisfied with his explanation of why we did not take Ball but some self proclaimed "true and loyal" supporters will have some more fodder to recommence their whinging. Very exciting times ahead for our Baby Bombers!!!

- Alan De Menezes (posted 27/11/2009 1:34:17 PM)

brett have you seen long play??? great pick long can play, well done!

- simon ramo eramo (posted 27/11/2009 1:35:27 PM)

Stop sooking Brett Martin - we took Long because he going to be a gun.

- David Russell (posted 27/11/2009 1:37:31 PM)

how would you know brett? work in recruiting do you?

- Sam King (posted 27/11/2009 1:45:08 PM)

go barrack for hawthorn brett!!

- Travis Cusack (posted 27/11/2009 1:46:54 PM)

Given that statement Brett I hope Hawthorn do draft you! Long wasn't taken just because of his uncle he was selected because he has great talent!

- Chris Beer (posted 27/11/2009 1:52:17 PM)

Long cant be that bad brett martin. If the gold coast were trying to get him and they have the chance to get the best youngsters in the country we should be stoked to see someone like that land at essendon its one of our chances to stick it to the gc saying we got 1 you didnt. im rapt with these picks. Hoping for liam patrick or majak daw in the rookie draft.

- Nick Holdsworth (posted 27/11/2009 2:08:37 PM)

Geez good on your Pop, by god some of these people will wing about anything. Be happy with what we are getting. This id will be a star, he has talent and skill.

- shaun blythman (posted 27/11/2009 2:13:45 PM)

Brett Martin, Scott Clayton who assembled Footscray list & now with the Gold Coast is regarded as one of the best judges of talent going around & the GC offered Anthony a contract, He was recruited on ability, the blood lines are a bonus

- Mark McLachlan (posted 27/11/2009 2:37:03 PM)

good picks, very happy with who we got :) swoop for majak daw in the rookie draft he is a great talent. a great leap with loads of speed! go bombers!

- Jason Grech (posted 27/11/2009 2:37:43 PM)

Brett if your pop played for hawthorn(nothing against your pop)that would make you a sook and a sniper.Isnt that what hawthorn players are,and you always seem to be sniping our players and coach.Long got picked as he can play.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 27/11/2009 2:42:52 PM)

glad we got Long(welcome)pitty we did`nt pick up a young fella who now plays for the Hawks,oh well,Brett M maybe you should be spending more time on the Hawks site with ya own kind,...this is ESSENDON!

- mawby Ian (posted 27/11/2009 3:18:41 PM)

yeah just like how you all said jetta is a star and i agree long may have ability but i still think there were better players available at 33 and the gold coast wants everyone only time will tell i guess and diane you have never played the game so what would you know go watch netball.

- Brett Martin (posted 27/11/2009 3:19:58 PM)

I wonder if Brett and Ivar are related ??

- Andrew Leung (posted 27/11/2009 4:08:14 PM)

Brett, have you considered giving up football and turning your talents to a comedic career. Funny stuff, had me in tears.

- Simon Munn (posted 27/11/2009 4:29:30 PM)

Good question Joel Brand I think Spike will join Fletch on the Vetrains list to free up salery cap room pretty sure you can only have two vets. which means five rookies instead of severn with 38 on the primary list is this right insider ?

- Simon Mayo (posted 27/11/2009 4:31:59 PM)

Wes should ban Brett from this site.

- Jonnie Gety (posted 27/11/2009 4:47:27 PM)

about time we see the name LONG in an essendon team again. Yippee!! cant wait for 2010, and may i add welcome to all the new Essendon recruits.

- Mary Agius (posted 27/11/2009 4:47:43 PM)

Another negative so calles supporter in Brett Martin, why don't you guys just go join Collingwood's fan site.

- Jonnie Gety (posted 27/11/2009 4:48:37 PM)

Brett's a bit miffed we didn't draft ball so he will whinge all years like the cousins fans did (are!!) Brett I did play the game a reasonably high level and I concur with Diane - off to hawthorn you sook

- Greg Kemp (posted 27/11/2009 4:48:58 PM)

It doesn't take much to excite knights I however am not excited with your pathetic coaching over the last 2 years. Please lift your game as your last game result was absolutely pathetic......historically one of the worst at essendon f.c.....

- steve rendevski (posted 27/11/2009 5:07:20 PM)

You've got every reason to be thrilled and excited Matthew Knights,besides the draft picks,even Ivar has "kissed" and made up,shook your hand and asked for your autograph... :-) Pop played for Hawthorn,you want Brissie to win the flag,goodness gracious a misfit on this site if ever i've seen one.SUPPORT Essendon BM,or get outa here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Noel Shields (posted 27/11/2009 5:11:41 PM)

seen young long and he can play a bit

- angelo massaro (posted 27/11/2009 5:47:54 PM)

Does anyone else think it odd that Quinn was considered good enough to be in best 22 for the final, yet still remains on the rookie list for 2010?

- Geoff Cliff (posted 27/11/2009 6:29:28 PM)

steve rendevski...sheedy's gone never to return. get over it. knights is our coach for AT LEAST the next 3 years and is one of the best young coaches going around. took us into a finals in just his second season with a bunch of kids who had minimal experience behind them. we got belted by adelaide in adelaide in our first final in 5 years..who cares? adelaide were arguably the most inform side heading into september this year so we were always going to get belted..most teams whould have.

- Christopher Domjanic (posted 27/11/2009 6:30:34 PM)

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ADAM MCPHEE? WHAT CLUB DID HE END UP GOING TO?

- luke brooks (posted 27/11/2009 7:11:50 PM)

Yeah Steve, We only played finals for the first time in years. Terrible. What ever should we do? Welcome Long. I don't know much about him, but I'm confident in them picking him over Christensen.

- Nathan Schultz (posted 27/11/2009 7:56:25 PM)

In the next 4-5 years we have 3 potential recruits from St Marys under the father/son rule. Anthony Long seems to be a fine young man who will mentor and assist these boys when the time comes. Good move by Essendon to firm up our association with St Marys as there will be other talent at this fine club.

- Jeff Forster (posted 27/11/2009 8:48:23 PM)

Brett Martin, That was a cheap shot under the belt at Dianne Trask. Even if she has never played the game she is one of those supporters who can say she is true and loyal one and be believed. A read of her posts will tell you that she makes a lot of sense, follows the Bombers closely and more importantly will stick with Essendon through thick and thin. A symbol of maturity mate which some of you seem to be lacking in a big way!!!

- Alan De Menezes (posted 27/11/2009 9:24:44 PM)

why Brett at Hawthorn, Carlton would be better (Who has heard of Martin?). Anyways, great going Dons, We already have a great list and some games will come from these blokes in 2010. Let the good times roll 8)

- Kevin Jackson (posted 27/11/2009 10:54:28 PM)

Brett, please leave Diane alone and stop being sexist. All posts she has put forward, (of which there are many), has shown that she is a very loyal supporter. I, like her, will back our EFC recruiters as far as we can go. Knighter gave a bloody good reason for not taking Ball and I am happy with that. THIS IS ESSENDON. We should be united !

- Ben Mihail (posted 27/11/2009 11:57:54 PM)

sorry for thinking there were better options at 33 than long it was only my opinion so calm down you are all the sooks.you all think every decision efc makes is the right one they have never made a mistake ever.

- Brett Martin (posted 28/11/2009 1:21:03 AM)

welcome to Windy Hill boys. well done to the recruiting team. CAN'T WAIT FOR 2010. GO BOMBERS....

- Laloua Simmons (posted 28/11/2009 6:36:45 AM)

Welcome to Bomber land Draftee's,these are exciting times.Well done to Knights and staf,we got kids who want to play here

- Nicolaas Schrama (posted 28/11/2009 8:37:47 AM)

Well I think the club has recruited well and I'm looking forward to another Long tearing up the field- Go Bombers

- Luke Spartalis (posted 28/11/2009 9:50:18 AM)

My next door neighbours brother played on the wing for penola b grade

- Nathan Williams (posted 28/11/2009 9:58:21 AM)

What is wrong with everyone! I think our picks are good - all 4 of them - espically Melksham! It's great to have another midfielder in the mix! Good luck to the 4 new recruits next year and he's hoping you have a successful year! Can everyone please get behind the Mighty Bombers instead of whinging and bagging! Rome wasnt built in a day and with the list we have and are building we will be a force to be reckoned with in a couple of years! GO BOMBERS!!!

- jennifer stepien (posted 28/11/2009 10:21:58 AM)

Essendon Insider, todays Herald Sun said their were only four clubs in the pre-season draft, what happened to Essendon??

- Trent Hobson (posted 28/11/2009 10:32:48 AM)

you have to be 30 to be on the veterans list so it will only fletch next year with mcveigh to qualify the year after. so we shuld get 6 rookies i guess. plus the obvious one to replace Mcphee in the PSD

- Travis Cusack (posted 28/11/2009 12:33:50 PM)

Noel, you've gotta fill us in on 'Old Mate Ivar'; what's this about shaking Knighta's hand? Last post I saw from Ivar he intimated he had been banned from the site; don't tell me he is discovering he has a positive side after all? We miss out on a lot of the intimate details of going's on at the Club up here in Qld.

- Frank Cowell (posted 28/11/2009 2:13:43 PM)

Well done Knighta and team. I really like the picks and am glad you didn't bite at Ball given he didn't seem excited about the club in contrast to Williams. I think we have a great list and will play a lot of finals footy in the next decade (and hopefully snag a couple of flags). As a Western Australian, I'm glad you drafted another WA kid this year - thanks!

- Dale Hewitt (posted 28/11/2009 3:30:58 PM)

Time will tell fellas....If Long is anything near his uncle then we are in for some super exciting football... Lets hope our recruit of the year, Hille can keep fit and injury free, so to Gumbleton - free up Rider, ignite some of our runners and who knows the rest.. If opportunity knocks we need to take it. Welcome to the Bombers boys!!!!

- David Blazko (posted 28/11/2009 9:03:39 PM)

Go Bombers!! Great Picks and great to see another Long on the list. DON'T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE on any of them. They will play for the Bombers and play well.

- Nathan Crocker (posted 29/11/2009 8:30:52 AM)

Does anyone else remember Joel Reynolds? his pedigree was infinitely better than Anthony's and he was a dud. Hope this guy turns out better not just the clubs sake but his. He will continually be compared to his Uncle.

- Wayne Purcell (posted 29/11/2009 9:30:07 AM)

Great to read the enthusiasm for Matthew Knights, the new draftees and the fantastic young side we have. Faithful Bomber fans ignore the snipers and whingers with their negativity!

- John Thompson (posted 29/11/2009 9:42:12 AM)

Essendon Insider - I went to Essendon Training on Friday and noticed a few players running laps and also Winderlich missing altogether. Can you please update the Injury list web page which was has not been updated in months. Would be good to know where all the players are as far as fitness goes now that they are all back in full training and which if any players may be missing at the start of the NAB cup games!! Thanks.

- Charles Taylor (posted 29/11/2009 10:35:20 AM)

welcome to the Bombers go you good thing i am so glad we got a long playing 4 us agen you little ripper

- MARK JONES (posted 29/11/2009 11:28:07 AM)

Brett is entitled to his opinion just like anybody else. i cant stand supporters telling others to go barrack for someone else or words to that effect just because thet dont follow the majority.

- Philip Cassar (posted 29/11/2009 12:14:38 PM)

OH yeh gonna be a great year. Great to see we are staying wuth the youth policy. To our new players welcome to the Mighty Essendon Football Club.

- Jeff Skinner (posted 29/11/2009 12:37:33 PM)

......Choice, bro!!!!!! Good to have another LONG at windy hill. Hopefully he's at least half as good as he's uncle, then going to develop into a Gr8 player. Welcome to Essendon, Anthony LONG!!!!!!!

- Nick Tomaras (posted 29/11/2009 3:06:23 PM)

Jeff Forster, who are the sons on the way up?? will be handy if they are good players with all the compromised drafts!! and hey father-sons have pretty much won the cats 2flags!!

- Travis Cusack (posted 29/11/2009 7:44:34 PM)

Well Brett I picked the quaddie this weekend and won myself a considerable amount of money,but unfortunately with your way of thinking maybe I should give it back as it is a mans domain is it not.I have no right to even participate in a mans world.Lucky I live in 2009 not in the 40s.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 29/11/2009 9:22:36 PM)

don't know why noone took majak daw he looks every bit as good as nic nat did last year

- Samantha Briggs (posted 29/11/2009 9:27:14 PM)

Philip no one is telling brett to barrack for another team just because he has a different view.There are lots of differents view in this site all going in different directions and most with valid points.Opinions dont have to be the same to be right.I like most people are not here to judge anybody but when players are continually being put down or degraded then as true essendon supporters we stand up for our players.,and yes the club does make mistakes so need to go down that road.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 29/11/2009 9:33:39 PM)

Geoff Cliff, Quinn might have been left on the rookie list so we could draft another young kid, we can only have 38 + 2 veterans,with the new rookie rules we can have 7 rookies & there are ways & means of promoting them & Gold Coast get the first 5/6 rookie selections, Just my thoughts..Mark

- Mark McLachlan (posted 30/11/2009 10:16:18 AM)

i told him to Diane...haha... nobody knows who is the best picks in the draft yet! im sure cyril rioli would have went higher if people knew what he was going to be able to achieve early! in 2006 we took tom hislop at 20 and alwyn davey at 36 remiers at 47(kurt tippet went at 32) so people having a go at the recruiters you dont know who is going to be better!

- Travis Cusack (posted 30/11/2009 11:05:00 AM)

Good point Samantha. I hope we pick Majak Daw up in the rookie draft. Anyone have any ideas who we should take with our one pick in the pre season draft?

- Geoff Cliff (posted 30/11/2009 12:08:54 PM)

It must have been in a dream Frank,because the AFL video review panel has not found any evidence thus far of the event,all i know is someone was sighted in a number 10 Essendon jumper shaking hands with the Coach,and it didn't look like Spike,he hasn't got those funny sort of legs... I'll keep you posted with any further breaking news... :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 30/11/2009 12:24:51 PM)

yeah i suppose your all right and im wrong so next time your husbands and wives lie to you about something just say who cares you lied babe i support you

- Brett Martin (posted 30/11/2009 12:39:11 PM)

Welcome home Longy, give him the nubmer 13 now.

- Andrew Dehne (posted 30/11/2009 1:02:39 PM)

Geoff Cliff, i reckon like many others have mentioned beforehand, young Liam Patrick,or Serhat Temel from the Cannons,another local from Strathy High...

- Noel Shields (posted 30/11/2009 3:33:08 PM)

Neagle is a big name at Essendon too, but to date it hasn't meant much. Uncle Michael was big, the nephew is unproven at this stage. If he performs, let the accolades come then, not before.

- Francis Connolly (posted 30/11/2009 3:47:57 PM)

Hi Trent. Essendon will have once pick in the pre-season draft (selection No.9 overall). I am not sure why the Herald Sun left us out. The club also has five selections in the rookie draft.

- Essendon Insider (posted 30/11/2009 3:59:34 PM)

Hi Joel. We will have one selection in the pre-season draft (No.9 overall) and five in the rookie draft. Because Fletcher will be our only veteran in 2010 (no other players qualify) we can have seven rookies. Christian Bock and Michael Quinn are two of them (as second year rookies) which allows us to have 5 choices in the rookie draft. David Meli is an international rookie so sits in a different category (Michael Quinn is not an international rookie because Irish rookies are listed as standard rookies).

- Essendon Insider (posted 30/11/2009 4:28:15 PM)

Yes Noel, Liam Patrick also. If he is half as good as his cousin then he is a must. Mark McL yes the ways and means of promoting a rookie are obvious i.e. when Gumbleton and Laycock break down before the 2010 NAB Cup!!!!!!!!

- Geoff Cliff (posted 30/11/2009 4:30:21 PM)

Good recruiting, guys. I think we had a bit of luck with the way the cards fell too. Now use the pre-season draft to pick up the meanest gorilla we can find to come in and protect the kids.

- Luke Smith (posted 30/11/2009 5:10:00 PM)

laycock should be right next year, hes been a father for a few years now its time to really knuckle down and concentrate on footy rather than fatherhood!! looks like we will miss the first 2kids in the PSD atleast with tigers eagles having picks before us! freo & swans have decided, are the demons definately taking mcdonald i dont know!?

- Travis Cusack (posted 30/11/2009 5:25:30 PM)

Geoff Cliff PSD: my hunch (for want of a better word) is Derick Wanganeen. Also aware that Joseph Dare wasn't drafted last week. But agree Liam Patrick would be a great option too, also realising that Tigers have a "live" pick before Dons. Cheers

- Martin Gol (posted 30/11/2009 7:25:48 PM)

Gee, Knights may be excited by our recruits but there is nothing exciting about his coaching. Regards Ivar.

- Ivar Biggen (posted 30/11/2009 8:09:21 PM)

Geoff C. with more thought to your question re PSD I like the general play of Mitchell Carter (South Fremantle). Cannot remember precise details but recall him being 180-185cm, fairly quick and plays half-back and midfield. May have been teasing you a little on my previous blog. Cheers

- Martin Gol (posted 30/11/2009 8:41:24 PM)

Fair chance Majak Dawe as a Rookie.Heard a couple of weeks ago the club are very keen to rookie list him.Pretty sure i also saw Scott Harding(delisted by Brisbane) in the car park at Windy hill today getting into his car after training at the club.

- Mark Elze (posted 30/11/2009 11:37:12 PM)

thank you insider. Can we take anyone in the pre season draft or does it have to be a x aft draftee?

- Joel Brand (posted 1/12/2009 8:43:10 AM)

PSD selection: Another name worth considering is Mark Hutchins (East Perth) 18yo and if I remember correctly he is an inside-mid who likes it hard and tough. Once again Dons will have to wait their turn with Eagles also having a "live" pick. Most importantly Adrian Dodoro and Matthew Knights will do their homework as they assess the quality of the player and the character of the person. Cheers

- Martin Gol (posted 1/12/2009 6:46:15 PM)

Gee brett a sad life if one lives life with that analogy.Sad.Knights your coaching is exciting,loved watching the young kids play and cant wait for next year.I cant stand supporters who cant stand other supporters.Go Dons! Jazz

- jarryd o'rourke (posted 1/12/2009 10:35:48 PM)

as always, will have to wait and see how draft picks go. might take time to see if they can handle afl. knights took whom he thought was the best fit for team. go bombers

- Robert Brown (posted 3/12/2009 5:10:50 PM)

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