While many footballers are enjoying their well earned break from life at the football club, new Essendon rookie Kade Klemke is counting down the days until he can board a flight to Melbourne to commence pre-season training at Windy Hill.

Klemke, a 182cm defender hailing from the Murray Bushrangers is set to join his new Essendon teammates on January 5th when the players return to training and cannot wait to get started.

“I am definitely very, very, very excited,” Kelmke said. “It is great to get an opportunity at an AFL club and learning what it is like to be an AFL footballer.

“I am really looking forward to training with the playing group and learning from the older players like Matthew Lloyd and David Hille.”
 

Named the named the NSW-ACT player of the Australian Under-18 Championships, Klemke hopes to play a senior game in 2009 if he gets the opportunity.

“I would love to play a senior game for the Bombers if the opportunity should arise,” Klemke said.

“My goals also include gaining the respect of all the players and to play consistent football for Bendigo.”

Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro describes the defender as hard at the ball and exhibiting strong leadership qualities.

“Kade wins the contested ball and has outstanding leadership qualities. He is a quality young man,” Dodoro said.