Pick 5: Darcy Parish
The attacking and clever midfielder starred in his first season at AFL level, playing all bar two games in the senior side (he was rested for those). He finished in the top five of the NAB AFL Rising Star award and looks a long-term player for the club.
Pick 6: Aaron Francis
Francis got a taste of things late in the year at AFL level and finished the season with three games to his name. The marking defender needs to have a strong pre-season and improve his engine before becoming a certain starter for the Bombers, but he has immense talent.
Pick 29: Alex Morgan
Soft-tissue injuries ruined Morgan's first season at Essendon. The Bombers drafted him because he has something they don't have much of – pace – so they will be hoping he can get his body right in the second season at the club.
Pick 30: Mason Redman
Redman is lightly framed and has some development to go in that area, but he was lively and energetic across half-forward at senior level in 2016. He likely wouldn't have got the three chances in the AFL side last season without the suspensions of the club's senior group of players.
Pick 54: Mitch Brown
Brown made the most of his second chance at AFL level, settling into Essendon's forward line for the majority of the season before moving to the backline late in the year. He seems best placed to hold down a role next year as a third tall defender once some of Essendon's stars return.
Pick 64: Yestin Eades
The Bombers delisted Eades just one season into his standard two-year deal, but he may be taken as a rookie at the club on November 28. Eades is a small forward who played with the North Ballarat Rebels in his draft season after crossing from WA.
Pick 68: Michael Hartley
Hartley was one of Essendon's real wins in 2016. The former Collingwood-listed defender played 19 games in the Bombers' backline and shut down some key forwards across the year.
Rookie selection pick 4: Gach Nyuon
The Bombers took a gamble on Nyuon as a project player but it hasn't paid off. The ruckman was delisted after one season at the club and minimal impact at VFL level.
Rookie selection pick 22: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
The Bombers found a winner in McDonald-Tipungwuti, who was a revelation off half-back for the senior side this year. McDonald-Tipungwuti has been elevated to the senior list and has signed a three-year contract after his breakout season.
Rookie selection pick 39: Will Hams
Hams was re-listed last year as a rookie after being delisted, but has again been delisted this season with his career at Essendon over. The hard-at-it midfielder was a tough and well-liked member of the club.
Rookie selection pick 54: Tom Wallis
The son of two-time Essendon premiership player Dean Wallis was delisted after one season at the club. The left-footed wingman had some injury battles during his stint at the Bombers.
