The talent Essendon secured through new recruits Anthony Long, Jake Melksham and Jake Carlisle should have Bomber fans desperately awaiting the start of the 2010 season according to former coach Marty Allison.

Allison oversaw the players’ development at the Calder Cannons last season and says all three young men could significantly boost the club’s emerging list.

“It's a very exciting time for the Essendon footy fans, that’s for sure because those three boys will be great players,” he said.

“I was absolutely wrapt to see them go to a football club like Essendon who have such a long, proud history.

“From where I am sitting on the outside, Essendon are a very progressive football club with a strong coaching group and a strong focus on development. 

“With Long’s connection to Essendon, Melksham’s class and Carlisle’s potential, Essendon supporters have a lot to look forward to.”

Allison believes all three could play senior football next season but expects the permanent AFL environment to be particularly beneficial to the fast-tracking of Long’s development.

“Longy will really thrive in the AFL environment with Alan Richardson and guys who have a strong focus on player development but all three players definitely have the potential to play senior football in the short term,” he said.

“Plenty has been said about the history of the connection between the Long name and Essendon but Anthony also has that ability to turn players inside out. He has a very good change of direction and his foot skills and decision making skills are excellent – bordering on outstanding.

“Jake Carlisle has an extra long reach on him – a little bit like Dustin Fletcher's arms – and I think he is still growing. He is nowhere near his full potential in terms of his footy and that is the most exciting thing about him.

“He could be a really good long-term 100-plus game player for Essendon as either a key defender or a key forward because he has the ability to play at both ends of the ground and when you combine him with the likes of Hurley, Pears, Daniher and Gumbleton coming on, I think Essendon fans should be really excited.

“Jake Melksham is a very exciting midfielder. His strength is his outside game – he has the ability to turn players inside out. His kicking is very good and his inside work is very good. Those that have seen the TAC Cup Grand Final would have seen Jake playing that type of football and fans should be really excited about getting him.”

Allison says there is also the chance of them developing into leaders for the club. 

“Jake Melksham and Anthony Long were in our leadership group at the Calder Cannons in 2009. We spent some time with them in their leadership roles and both players excelled in that area and improved significantly,” he said.

“Anthony is a shy young fella and it took him while to open up but he can talk a lot don’t worry about that and he can contribute a lot to the team in terms of leadership.

“Jake Melksham’s preparation at TAC Cup level was second to none. Players at the Calder Cannons really took notice whenever Jake had something to say. Whether he was talking to the playing group about their behaviour or preparation or off field elements – he lives those values. Players take what he says on board knowing he is a player who lives what he says.”