Two of the main success stories for Essendon to come out of the 1998 and 1999 Draft was the rookie elevations of Mark Johnson (1998) and Dean Rioli (1999). Johnson came off the Rookie list to play in the 2000 premiership and has also tasted personal success with the Bombers when he won the 2002 Crichton Medal. Rioli has played 72 senior games since being elevated from the Rookie list and has become an integral member of the Essendon senior team.

1998

ESSENDON’S SELECTIONS:
Draft selection: 9, Mark McVeigh from NSW-ACT U18. Played 81 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 12, Adam Ramanauskas from Dandenong U18. Played 84 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 23, Chris Ladhams from North Adelaide. Played 0 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 25, Aaron Henneman from Murray U18. Played 41 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 36, Danny Jacobs from Prahan U18. Played 81 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 56, Illija Grgic from West Coast. Played 2 games with Essendon.
Rookie Elev: Mark Johnson from Calder U18. Played 110 games with Essendon.

TOP 10:
1. Des Headland - Brisbane
2.Justin Longmuir - Fremantle
3. Nic Fosdike - Sydney
4. Ryan Fitzgerald - Sydney
5. Michael Stevens – Port Adelaide
6. Murray Vance - Carlton
7. Josh Carr – Port Adelaide
8. Jude Bolton - Sydney
9. Mark McVeigh - Essendon
10. Brandon Hill – WC Eagles

BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Rookie elevation: Mark Johnson – played 110 games from 1999 –
EFC HONOURS:
2000 premiership, 2002 Best and Fairest, 2002 Best Finals Player.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Draft selection: 11, Lenny Hayes – St.Kilda.

1999

ESSENDON’S SELECTIONS:
Draft selection: 40, David Hille from Dandenong U18. Played 49 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 45, Marcus Pickett from Port Adelaide. Played 0 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 59, John Barnes from Geelong. Played 46 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: 72, Robert Forster-Knight from Murray U18. Played 31 games with Essendon.
Draft selection: trade, Jonathon Robran from Hawthorn. Played 8 games with Essendon.
Rookie Elev: Rookie Elev, Dean Rioli from South Fremantle. Played 72 games with Essendon.

TOP 10:1. Josh Fraser - Collingwood
2. Paul Hasleby - Fremantle
3. Aaron Fiora - Richmond
4. Matthew Pavlich - Fremantle
5. Leigh Brown - Fremantle
6. Damian Cupido - Brisbane
7. Danny Roach - Collingwood
8. Joel Corey - Geelong
9. Claydn Beethan – St.Kilda
10. Luke McPharlin - Hawthorn

BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY
Rookie elevation: Dean Rioli – played 72 games from 1999 -

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Draft selection: 64, Cameron Bruce – Melbourne