The names likely to be still in the mix come selection six include Kane Tenace, Kepler Bradley, Raphael Clarke, Ryley Dunn and Beau Waters. Tenace is a polished midfielder from the Murray Bushrangers and he just might be the one if the match committee decide that is the Bombers’ most immediate need. If the Bombers go tall Bradley might get the nod – at 198cm and 88kg, he fits the bill.
Clarke, Dunn and Waters are all future midfielders. If they don’t go at selection six, the Bombers will cross their fingers and hope that one of them manages to get through to Essendon’s second selection which comes at number 13. The Bombers final two selections are at numbers 28 and 44.
Three of Essendon’s de-listed players have nominated for today’s draft – Jordan Bannister, James Davies and Rob Forster-Knight. Bannister and Forster-Knight have been training with Carlton and it appears both will end up at Optus Oval. All three have been training with Carlton. Former Bomber Gary Moorcroft – de-listed by Melbourne – is also among the 1600 nominations for this year’s National Draft.