Essendon's most famous new recruit - Anthony Long - says he is proud to follow in the footsteps of his famous Bomber uncle Michael but will be drawing inspiration from his cousin Cyril Rioli.
""I look at him (Cyril) as a role model how he has played his first two years,"" Long said.
""If I can get anywhere near what he has done in his first two years I will feel that I have succeeded. I definitely look at him as a role model in how I want to play footy.""
Long - a life-long Bombers fans - fronted the media today with fellow National Draft recruits Jake Melksham, Jake Carlisle and Travis Colyer and said that he was desperate to stay in Melbourne.
Melksham revealed that he too faced some anxious moments and feared he would have to move interstate.
""I wasn't sure where I was going. I didn't want to put the pressure on and feel that I was going to come here (Essendon) because there was still a fair chance I would go to Port but I am here now and I am not looking back at that,"" Melksham said.
""I've got my (Calder Cannons) team-mates here and I am a local so I am pretty familiar with this area. I know some of the boys that are already here like Hurley so it's good to come in with Jake and Longy and I know Travis as well so it's been good settling in so far.""
Joining the club's recruits at the media conference, Knights said he was open to all four playing senior football in 2010.
""If they are well prepared and are right to play they will be with the rest of the list and be available for selection for Round 1,"" he said.
""I am not sure which one of them will come through or maybe two of them or maybe the four will play at Bendigo in the first few rounds but I am not going to put any limitations on them because you really don't know. If one of these young men pop up and play Round 1 I will be a happy coach.
""We have had Matthew (Lloyd) and Scott (Lucas) retire and they have been colossuses in our forward line and then Adam McPhee and Andrew Lovett so you have four experienced players that have left the club so that creates four opportunities. If a Jake Melksham for example takes one of those sports then so be it.""
Knights said all four had done only some skills work, running or weights in their first week but also learned about the club's staff and history.
""We really want them to feel comfortable and feel at home and soak it up during their first week and next week we will up things and start preparing them like the other players,"" he said.
