Draft day must be the most petrifying experience in the life of any aspiring young footballer. Youngsters all over Australia sit around and wait for the recruiting staff of AFL clubs to make a decision on which direction their life will take. It is the dream of each to be picked up and to have the chance of playing football at the highest level. For young Bombers Marc Bullen and Michael Davis, it must have been a particularly harrowing experience. Both had spoken to a number of AFL clubs and were hopeful of getting selected but deep into the 2000 National Draft they were still in no-mans land.

It wasn't until selection 63 that Murray Bushranger captain Bullen was picked up by the Bombers. For Davis the agony was prolonged even further and it wasn't selection numnber 74 that Essendon finally called out his name. Most will remember the motion that poured out - there was a television link to his home in Queensland that day.

So these two youngsters got their chance and they did it pretty tough on draft day. Perhaps the experience toughened them, perhaps they came so close to missing the boat they were determined to make this chance count - either way they attacked the pre-season with vigour as did all the Essendon draft selections. Fitness staff were surprised the way they handled themselves among more seasoned ahtletes.

Often the last couple of selections of a club are made purely on speculation. Recruiting staff might have had a gut feel about a certain player and go with them. If Essendon's recruiting staff did that with Bullen and Davis then it would appear their instincts have served them well. Both Bullen and Davis have been very good this season and sensational in the VFL side over the past five weeks. Bullen uncomprimising style could very well see him take out the reserve's best and fairest award in his first season. Davis, after some early season injury problems, is just one of those players who has a happy knack of finding the football.

The pair's statistics over the past five VFL games make very good reading:

Marc Bullen
v Port Melbourne 27 possessions
v Carlton 28 possessions
v Frankston 34 possessions
v Murray Kangaroos 33 possessions
v Geelong 27 possessions

Michael Davis
v Port Melbourne 35 possessions
v Carlton 31 possessions
v Frankston 27 possessions
v Murray Kangaroos 26 possessions
v Geelong 27 possessions

They are good numbers no matter how you look at them. Both have areas to work on in terms of skills but the most important thing for any young player is to actually get hold of the football. Skills can be developed, the natural ability to run to the right place at the right time and win one-on-one contests doesn't come as easily. Both these players have that ability.

While both players are mid-fielders their games do vary significantly. Bullen is a tough-as-nails on-baller. He likes to get in and under packs - his philosophy is simple ""Get the football"". Davis is a super-fit player who runs all day and is the link man. It is very early in the careers of these two players but they might just be the Essendon mid-field in seasons to come. It is a big call but they are doing everything right at the moment.