The selection of Anthony Long - nephew of Bomber champion Michael - has coach Matthew Knights excited.
The 18-year-old was taken with Essendon's final pick in the AFL National Draft (pick No.33 overall).
""Our last pick was still a high pick at 33. Obviously (he has) hugely famous blood lines at the Bombers,"" he said.
""We will never forget some of the runs Michael Long did on the big stage and it's great to have another Long join us. He (Anthony) is a great young man, he is at Melbourne University studying and he is switched on - we have spoken to him and he is really pumped about being at our club.""
Standing at 187cm and weighing in at 74kg, the Calder Cannon running defender is agile with an excellent vertical leap and was offered a place on the Gold Coast’s list but turned it down.
To watch the Knights interview click here.
Knights described the draft as a ""successful evening"" and said he was comfortable with the decision not to take Luke Ball saying the club wanted to go with four talented young players.
""Also, as a coach, I made the decision to back our list in, to back our midfielders in,"" he said.
""Whether that's Mark McVeigh, Andrew Welsh, David Zaharakis, Jason Winderlich, Sam Lonergan, those type of players. Brent Prismall we acquired last year in the trade period and of course Jobe Watson our reigning Crichton Medalist. I felt we wanted to back our list in and give them confidence to take their footy to new levels.""
Knights said he had a nervous wait to get gun 18-year-old midfielder Jake Melksham at pick No.10.
""He was best on ground in the TAC Cup Grand Final this year and he is obviously a local boy,"" he said.
""We weren't quite sure that he would be there at pick 10 with Port having picks eight and nine. It's great to have him.""
To watch national recruiting manager Adrian Dododo discuss the night click here.
The Bombers considered taking Anthony Long with pick 24 but when 196cm Jake Carlisle slipped through they struck. The club had expected him to be taken in the high teens.
""We have drafted a lot of key position players over the past two years but to add another player that can play defence or attack is really great for us and probably gives us the option to play a Michael Hurley at either end or Cale Hooker at either end,"" he said.
Knights said the Bombers recruiting staff were also excited that All-Australian midfielder Travis Colyer was still there at pick 26.
""Travis was outstanding in the U/18 carnival and played for Western Australia at Etihad Stadium in the final game and was absolutely superb,"" he said.
""He is a smaller player and is a genuine midfielder who breaks the lines and uses his speed. I guess with Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer we have upped the speed ante again.""
Knights reflected that the trading of Andrew Lovett ultimately delivered Essendon Mark Williams and the picks used on Jake Carlisle and Anthony Long.
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