For the first time in Essendon history the club is trialing two possible Irish recruits at Windy Hill.
Eighteen year old Mike Quinn and nineteen year old Ian Ryan have been at the club for the past two weeks and return home tomorrow following coach, Matthew Knights', pre-season promise to increase the club's focus on finding a quality Irish player.
“We have looked into Irish players for the past three or four years but this is first time we have taken the step of getting two young men out here to spend some time in our program so it’s pretty exciting,” Knights said.
“They have been here for two weeks and have really been embraced by everyone at the club and enjoyed their time.
“It’s been a great experience for our club to have a couple of those young lads out here and they have handled themselves really well on the training track.
“They haven’t been able to train with the main group (AFL rules) but they have done little bits and pieces by themselves.
“We have done a lot of skill based work with them and decision making work and they have done a degree to physical testing and both boys are in very good shape physically.”
Knights said that kicking skills are the big hurdle but says it has been shown that with good development and time they can improve this skill.
A decision on whether or not to sign the players up will be made after the club has reviewed the last two weeks.
