Regional Manager of the Geelong Falcons and former Cats champion Michael Turner has urged Essendon to be patient with recently drafted youngster Joel Reynolds. Reynolds, the grandson of former Essendon great Dick Reynolds, was taken with the Bombers second selection at last Sunday's National Draft. Reynolds, 17, played with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup and the Bombers recruiting staff were impressed with what they saw. Turner has no doubt Reynolds will play AFL football but he says patience is the key to his development.

""He is a late developer and obviously a long-term selection. He has only just finished Year 11 and physically he will take some time. It might two years down the track before he is really ready to play senior football and I would think he will find VFL football a tough ask next season,"" Turner said. ""But that said, I do think he will play AFL football - he just needs to be handled the right way. I don't think his selection is a major punt.""

""It is one of the reasons we are so glad that he has been picked up by Essendon. They have a good track record with these type of players - he won't be rushed and he will therefore get the time he needs to develop,"" Turner said. ""I would have been concerned if he had gone to a club that would put pressure on him and look for him to play senior football in a hurry. I know Essendon won't do that and I think they will be rewarded.""