Since the introduction of the Rookie system in early 1997, it has given clubs the chance to give young talent a crack at the big time - players that wouldn’t have otherwise got an opportunity at playing for an AFL club. Essendon has used its rookie list to full advantage over the years and a number of players have become regular senior players and even premiership players.
Over the next two days, we will track Essendon’s rookie history, see who has made it and who has gone missing in action.
1997 EFC ROOKIES
Damien Franken, Donvale
Anthony Henderson, University Blues
Mark Johnson, Calder U18
Gary Moorcroft, Ess supplementary list
Andrew Ramsden, Old Trinity
Luke Trew, Footscray
BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Gary Moorcroft. Played 80 games from 1998 to 2001.
EFC HONOURS:
2000 premiership.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Mal Michael rookied to Collingwood from Collingwood supplementary list.
1998 Rookies
Mark Johnson, Calder U18
Robert DiRosa, Geelong and Footscray reserves
Winis Imbi, Ballarat U18
Lachlan Oakley, Sandringham U18
Dean Rioli, South Fremantle
BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Mark Johnson from Calder Cannons. Played 110 games from 1999.
EFC HONOURS:
2000 premiership, 2002 Best and Fairest, 2002 Best Finals player, National Rising Star nominee 1999, Pre-season premiership side 2000.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Tarkyn Lockyer rookied by Collingwood from East Fremantle.
1999 Rookies
Dean Rioli, South Fremantle
EFC HONOURS:
National Rising Star nominee 1999, Pre-season premiership side 2000.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Kent Kingsley rookied by the Kangaroos from Woodville / West Torrens.
2000 Rookies
Cory McGrath, South Fremantle
David Johnson, Calder U18
Adam Switala, Central Districts
James Podsiadly, Western U18
BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Cory McGrath from South Fremantle. Played 28 games from 2001 to 2003.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Ben Haynes rookied by Richmond from Western U18.
2001 EFC ROOKIES
Damien Peverill, Essendon reserves
Marcus Kenny, Eastern U18
David Johnson, Calder U18
Adam Switala, Central Districts
BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Damien Peverill from Essendon reserves. Played 53 games from 2001 to
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Digby Morrell rookied by the Kangaroos from West Perth.
2002 EFC ROOKIES
Ken Hall, Essendon VFL
Scott Howard, Calder U18
Adam Winter, Calder U18
Marcus Kenny, Eastern U18
BOMBERS’ SUCCESS STORY:
Ken Hall from Essendon VFL. Played 1 game in 2002.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Aaron Sandilands rookied by Fremantle from East Fremantle.
2003 EFC ROOKIES
Ben Haynes, Richmond
Courtney Johns, East Fremantle
Adrian Wilson, Central Districts
Toby McGrath, South Fremantle
Ken Hall, Essendon VFL
Scott Howard, Calder U18
