It is still too early to determine the success of draft selections from the 2000 and 2001 AFL National Draft. The one thing that can be determined is the players that have shown good potential from these two drafts. Out of the 2000 draftees Ted Richards and Marc Bullen showed the greatest improvement in 2003 and each were rewarded with a National Rising Star Nomination. Andrew Welsh and Joel Reynolds have been the surprise packets from the 2001 draft. Between them they have amassed 60 games in their first two seasons of senior football and have showed signs that they will continue to be regulars in the senior line-up for years to come.

2000

ESSENDON’S SELECTIONS:
Draft selection: 17, James Davies from Xavier. Played 3 game with Essendon.
Draft selection: 27, Ted Richards from Sandringham U18. Played 12 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 32, Sam Hunt from Geelong U18. Played 3 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 47, Jordan Bannister from Calder U18. Played 14 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 63, Marc Bullen from Murray U18. Played 20 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 74, Michael Davis from Sandringham. Played 0 games with Essendon.
Rookie Elev: Rookie Elev, Cory McGrath from South Fremantle. Played 28 games with Essendon.
Rookie Elev: Rookie Elev, Adam Switala from Central District. Played 0 games with Essendon.

TOP 10:
1. Nick Riewoldt – St.Kilda
2. Justin Koschitzke – St.Kilda
3. Alan Didak - Collingwood
4. Luke Livingston - Carlton
5. Andrew McDougall – West Coast Eagles
6. Dylan Smith - Kangaroos
7. Laurence Angwin - Adelaide
8. Daniel Motlop – Kangaroos
9. Kayne Pettifer - Richmond
10. Jordon McMahon – Western Bulldogs

BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Draft selection: 63, Marc Bullen – Played 20 games from 2001 –
EFC HONOURS:
2001 VFL best and fairest
OTHER HONOURS:
National Rising Star nominee 2003

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Draft selection: 18, Daniel Kerr – West Coast

2001

ESSENDON’S SELECTIONS:
Draft selection: 18, Shane Harvey from Northern U18. Played 11 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 31, Joel Reynolds from Geelong U18. Played 23 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 34, Simon O'Keefe from Murray U18. Played 0 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 47, Andrew Welsh from Calder U18. Played 37 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 50, Paul Salmon from Hawthorn. Played 15 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 64, Daniel McAlister from Essendon. Played 8 games with Essendon.
Rookie Elev: Rookie Elev, Damien Peverill from Coburg. Played 53 games with Essendon

TOP 10:
1. Luke Hodge - Hawthorn
2. Luke Ball – St.Kilda
3. Chris Judd – West Coast
4. Graham Polak - Fremantle
5. Xavier Clarke – St.Kilda
6. Ashley Sampi – West Coast Eagles
7. David Hale - Kangaroos
8. James Bartel - Geelong
9. Luke Molan - Melbourne
10. Sam Power – Western Bulldogs

BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Draft selection: 47, Andrew Welsh – Played 37 games from 2002 –
EFC HONOURS:
Best first year player 2002

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Draft selection: 56, Paul Medhurst - Fremantle