Adrian Dodoro:
"The first three selections were the ones that we targeted - so it was an unusual pre-season draft from that respect. Long-term we hope the selections boost our midfield and ruck stocks."
Pre-Season Draft
Selection No.3: Hayden Skipworth
Bendigo Bombers/Adelaide Crows/Woodville-West Torrens, SA, Midfielder/small forward, 25 February, 1983, 177cm, 75kg
Coach Matthew Knights: “Hayden has played nearly 50 games of AFL football, and he had a patch in 2004-05 with 12 games with Adelaide where he averaged 16 to 18 disposals and kicked goals in those games, probably from 60 to 70 minutes of game time in a pretty potent midfield back then.
Since he's come to Bendigo, he hasn't had a lot of luck with injuries; he broke his leg in his first year.
We've got 31 players [including the rookie draft] aged 18 to 22, and obviously then Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas and Dustin Fletcher, so we've got that top end, and we haven't got a huge number of players in that 23 to 28 age bracket.
That's just the way the list had been put together and the way it's evolved, so we think Hayden is a great fit."
Rookie Draft (comments from Dodoro)
Selection No.5: Bryce Carroll
Western Jets, VIC, Medium forward, 25 June, 1990, 184cm, 72kg
"Bryce is a utility player - half-back, wing, half-forward and we hope he will eventually progress into the midfield.
He has very good goal sense, awareness and is a very well-balanced footballer. He had a fairly consistent year with the Western Jets even though he didn't do a pre-season.
He missed out in the national draft and has consequently sought some advice from James Hird. As a result his endurance levels have really improved."
Selection No.21: Thomas German
Calder Cannons, VIC, Midfielder, 29 August, 1990, 178cm, 77kg
"He is the nephew of North Melbourne player Peter German. His father Craig is also a former under-19s player at Essendon so he has good pedigree.
As a 17-year-old last year he had an exceptional year but wasn't eligible to be drafted. He played in the premiership side with Calder that year in what was a very strong team.
"Unfortunately this year he sustained a hamstring injury that took a long while for him to get right and it cost him half a season and selection in the Victorian under-18s team.
He is a high-possession winner with a sensational attitude and desire to make it."
Selection No.36: Christian Bock
Woodville/West Torrens, SA, Ruckman, 16 April, 1990, 205cm, 82kg
"He is the brother of Nathan Bock from Adelaide and a lot taller. He is a long-term prospect - he might take another two or three years. He is extremely light but has good endurance for someone so tall.
"He wasn't exposed much this season due to a shoulder injury otherwise would have played for SA under-18s and probably would have gone in the national draft.
For a guy his height he gets around the ground well, has good endurance and ruck technique. He will benefit from working with Simon Madden."
Selection No.50: Kade Klemke
Murray Bushrangers, VIC, Medium defender, 15 July, 1990, 180cm, 78kg
"Kade was captain of the Murray Bushrangers, a NSW Under 18 representative and an All-Australian selection.
He is a half-back/midfielder who is very hard at the contest. He has exceptional character and reminds me a bit of a young Mark Johnson who also came via our rookie list.
"He had some injury concerns during the season but is now back and fully fit. He wins the contested ball and with his will and desire he will give himself every chance to make it at the elite level."
Selection No.64: Michael Quinn
Longford, Ireland, Half-back flanker, 26 January 1990, 185cm
"He is very athletic and we were impressed with his physical ability and good attitude,” Dodoro said last month.
"Michael is very keen to learn and hungry to succeed so we think that gives him a good chance to play AFL football for Essendon.
"The big issue for him and all Irish recruits is his skill level, particularly his kicking, so we will need to put plenty of work into that area.
"Also, Gaelic football doesn't require the tackling skills that are so important in AFL so he will have to learn to lay a strong tackle and break tackles from opponents."
