Andrew Lovett has a number of similarities to his cousin Nathan Lovett-Murray. They are the same age (21 years), share the same surname and they are both on the Essendon rookie list. But in terms of their football backgrounds the similarities aren't as free flowing. Lovett was born and breed in Melbourne and moved to Perth last year to play the 2003 season with East Perth.

That is where the Essendon connection started for Lovett. Lovett was captained by former Essendon premiership player Paul Barnard’s younger brother Jeremy. Lovett enjoyed his season at East Perth and intended to stay another season until Essendon encouraged him to come back to Melbourne and try out for the rookie list. Paul Barnard actually made the phone call to Lovett convincing him to come to Essendon and try his luck.

Lovett took a risk and started training with Essendon at the start of pre-season in early November without any confirmation that the club would rookie him. He had a great self-belief and was confident things would turn out well for him. ""I think I have got what it takes and my thoughts were that if you give me a chance I will show you what I can do.""

Lovett trained hard before Christmas and was rewarded with a spot on Essendon’s rookie list at the Pre-season draft on December 16th. ""I don’t see it as a dream to be rookied, it is more of an opportunity. It is something I have worked hard for over the past few years, but it is only a foot in the door. If an opportunity does present itself, hopefully I am in good form and I get my chance,"" Lovett said.

The last thing Lovett wants is one of the senior players to injure themselves during the season, however if the opportunity to be elevated to the senior list does occur, Lovett will be there to grab it with both hands. ""Essendon has had a tendency of drafting players from the rookie list like Mark Johnson, Dean Rioli, Courtney Johns, Damien Peverill and Ben Haynes. I hope that I can follow in that path and give myself a chance to get on the senior list.""

Lovett has already put on two kilograms of muscle since the start of pre-season and lost two kilograms off his skinfolds. ""The fitness is coming along really well. I am on supplements to help increase my strength. Everytime I do weights Sheeds is always saying to me – ""have you got a body yet?"" I say – ""I am trying to get one!"" So he gets into me about that.""

Lovett’s endurance is one of his strengths. He ran 14.1 in the beep test before Christmas and 12 minutes in the team’s 3.2km time trial at Princes Park last week. ""I have really enjoyed the training. I am doing all of the right things and if I can put on a few more kilograms I will be very happy,"" Lovett said. ""I want to push my body as far as it can go and I think this is the fittest I have ever been. I want to do everything possible to give myself the best chance,"" Lovett said.

Lovett is looking forward to playing with his cousin Nathan. The pair has never played a season together and Lovett said it has been great knowing someone at the club. ""It is good to be here at an elite club and play for the same team together.""

Essendon fans should watch out for Lovett on the half-forward line or through the mid-field for Bendigo this season. His running and evasive skills are sure to excite all supporters. There could be a few overhead marks, which became Lovett’s trademark in East Perth last season. Lovett can’t wait for Bendigo’s season to start and believes the team can reach great heights this season. ""I think Bendigo are on the up and on the verge of something very good.""