Essendon's recruiting staff, led by manager Adrian Dodoro, had added complications at this year's draft. AFL imposed sanctions imposed after salary cap breaches meant they did not have the luxury of first or second round selections. Given this it was crucial that they could find a player or two who might have snuck under then guard of opposition clubs.
Looking back on the draft, Dodoro said he felt the club had made the most of the limited selections it was able to make at the draft.
"I think we fought back reasonably well considering we didn't have a selection until round three and that was draft selection number 40," Dodoro said. "That made life difficult but we have picked a good mix of players - a couple are capable of having an immediate impact and a couple will be ready a season or two down the track."
With its first selection (number 40) the club picked up David Hille, a 199cm ruckman from the Dandenong Stingrays. Our following three selections were Marcus Pickett (45), John Barnes (59) and Robert Foster-Knight (72).
"We rated David Hille and Rob Foster-Knight as round two draft selections. To pick them up in the later rounds was a pleasant surprise," Dodoro said. "When you look at it now, we have in affect traded Andrew Ukovic for Jonathon Robran and David Hille so we certainly haven't lost anything in that deal."
"David Hille is an investment for the future and he is very highly regarded. The ruckman we have are basically between the ages of 27 and 30 so he definitely gives us something to work with for the future. At 199cm he was one of the tallest players available at the draft and he turned 18 in June this year.
"He is a very good athlete who has a volleyball background. I believe he represented Australia at junior level. His vertical jump at the draft camp was one of the best so when you combine that with his height you suddenly have a fairly imposing ruckman. His form at the Teal Cup very good and he was considered by some to be unlucky not to be named as an All-Australian.
"We had him clearly identified as the second-best ruckman in the draft behind Josh Fraser so to get him at 40 was great."
Essendon has also secured the services of Marcus Pickett, the younger brother of Kangaroo star Byron Pickett. Some eyebrows were raised when the Bombers selected the younger Pickett but the club is confident it can mould his raw talent into something that will see him play senior football.
"He came down from Port Lincoln to play a game for Port Adelaide under 19s and our South Australian spotter was impressed with what he saw," Dodoro said. "It was a pretty late decision to draft him but based on what we saw we think he has something to offer."
Essendon picked up former Bomber John Barnes with its third selection - the selection of the 30-year-old probably the most talked about of the draft. Clearly a talented player, Dodoro said Barnes was someone the match-committee felt would give the side some added flexibility.
"He is a guy that at 30 of age can still give us a couple of really good years. Just two years ago he was regarded as the number one ruckman in the competition. And you don't lose your ability - you just lose confidence and with that, your form. I'm sure we can get that back and I know John is determined for that to happen - when it does we will have a great recruit.
"I think the match committee was just looking for versatile options in the ruck and with Steven Alessio, Jonathon Robran and John Barnes among others we have exactly that. Talls that can play in a variety of positions gives us great flexibility on match days and that is what Kevin (Sheedy) is always looking for."
Essendon's final selection was Robert Foster-Knight.
"He is a 17-year-old who has very good speed and endurance and is a classy sort of a mover. He uses the ball well and has poise under pressure. We believe he will develop and become a good player for this club," Dodoro said. "He is 185cm tall and would slot in on a wing or a half back."
DAVID HILLE
Selection 40
18
199cm
96kg
Dandenong Stingrays
MARCUS PICKETT
Selection 45
18
181cm
83kg
Port Magpies
JOHN BARNES
Selection 59
30
193cm
95kg
Geelong
ROBERT FORSTER-KNIGHT
Selection 72
17
185cm
79kg
Murray Bushrangers
