In the eight games he played for the Tassie Devils last year, Sam Lonergan made a big impression on coach Matthew Armstrong. ""He is a quality human being for such a young man, very mature for his age and he carries himself very well. He still has a lot to learn with his football but the way he played with the Devils last year and slotted into our senior side it testament to his attitude,"" Armstrong explained today.

Picked at draft selection 50 by Essendon to bolster its midfield stocks, Lonergan was recruited from the Lauderdale Football Club - the Bombers' affiliate club in Tasmania. An inside midfielder, Lonergan, 18, stands 183cm, weighs 81kg and according to Armstrong, if Lonergan can get his endurance right, he has the capability to play senior football in his debut season.

""He has a good body already so he is strong enough to play. With more development he is going to be stronger to play senior football sooner than what people think. If you are going to bring a young guy into a senior side he needs to have courage and he has plenty of that.

""He has a fantastic attitude and a fantastic work ethic and with the professionalism of the Essendon Football Club, I can only see him improving his deficiencies in becoming a league player,"" Armstrong said.

2005 was a big year for Lonergan, on top of his eight games in the VFL competition for the Tassie Devils he also became the first player in the history of the Tassie Mariners to win back-to-back best and fairest awards and was also selected for the NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian Team.

With leadership one of his greatest strengths, Lonergan captained the Allies side against Victoria last year during Grand Final week. He dominated that game kicking five goals and was the leading possession winner on the ground.

""It’s a role I have always taken on with players of my own age, probably for the last three years with the Mariners and the Allies. But that was a great achievement for me and I am extremely happy and proud of the way I played in that game,"" Lonergan explained.

While Lonergan did not attend the AFL Draft camp, he was one of the standouts in the State-based screening and prior to the draft attracted significant interest from Melbourne, Hawthorn and the Kangaroos.

""I didn’t have too many expectations prior to the draft, I always wanted to play at an AFL club. But there is a big difference between getting ahead of yourself and then getting let down and that was always my saviour to always being happy with however far I made it.""

Lonergan is thrilled to now call Windy Hill home and his focus is to make the most of his opportunities.

""I am overwhelmed, it is an unbelievable club and the excitement around the boys it is just great.

""I have some big expectations, but my small goals are my fitness and playing in one of the rounds of the NAB Cup.""