ON MONDAY morning, four nervous young men stood on the grounds of Melbourne's La Trobe University, looking like they were attending their first day of school.

But it wasn't the thought of school that was making this quartet edgy – it was the throng of media that had gathered to hear their thoughts on recently becoming Essendon players.

Michael Hurley (selection No.5 overall), David Zaharakis (No.23), Michael Still (No.55) and Tyson Slattery (No.67) were being confronted with their first big media assignment after being drafted to the Bombers just over a week ago.

The first three were surrounded by familiar company, having all been recruited from the same TAC Cup club, the Northern Knights – a fact that Hurley believes made the transition into the club easier.

"I was a bit nervous coming down, but these two boys, -- and I've played with Tyson before as well -- really helps," he said.

"You feel a bit more comfortable down at the club."

Hurley, a key position player, has been earmarked to play deep in defence alongside veteran backman – and one-time hero - Dustin Fletcher.

"I've based my game around his so it's great to learn off him," he said.

"And Matthew Knights has been great too. You can learn a lot from him because he's only young and just out of the game, and he gives good insight into how it all works."

For Zaharakis, coming to Windy Hill was the perfect end to a childhood spent following the red and black.

"I've been a Bomber fan since I was a bub, and I've got a tape of that 1993 Grand Final win and I always used to watch it," he laughed.

"It feels weird coming out to training and training with the heroes you've grown up with.

"When it got to pick 22 [on draft day], I was a bit nervous because I just wanted to get to pick 23, which was Essendon.

"Mum started crying and dad was just over the moon because he's been a supporter his whole life".

The club's third pick, Still, will have a lot on his plate in 2009, regardless of whether he breaks into the senior side or not. The bottom-age selection will complete year 12, meaning he'll have to juggle schooling commitments with the demands of a full-time footballer.

"The club has been really good. They're going to support me in every way they can and the school is going to be very supportive as well …  I can't wait to tackle it," he said.

"You see players like Trent Cotchin and they still played games in their first year and they're only 17 … That's pretty promising".

The start to Slattery's (no relation to teammate Henry) career at Essendon has been riddled with frustration; finger injury precluding him from training.

"Earlier on this year in round five, I went to tackle someone and it got caught in a jumper. I split my tendon and had a busted finger for the rest of the season," he said.

"I want to be back onto the track with full skills in early January, maybe the first session back from Christmas."

Coach Matthew Knights said all the draftees have a chance to play senior football next year, regardless of the order they were chosen in.

"Everyone has got an opportunity," he said.

"The game doesn't know how old you are, so if you're 18 years old and you understand the game plan, and you work hard on the track and you're there to be picked, we'll pick you.

"It's really important for these guys to know that they're right in the mix because I am pushing a youth mantra and I will give opportunity, but only if it's deserved opportunity."