Essendon has gone for a mix of key position talls / ruckmen and mid-fielders with leg speed at today's National Draft. Bombers' recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said he was very pleased with the players the club was able to secure. ""I suppose all clubs will come out of the draft and think they have done well, but I think we have selected some genuine long-term prospects for the club,"" Dodoro said. ""Obviously getting into the draft a couple of picks earlier than we anticipated really helped.""

The club secured Steve Alessio with its final selection today. ""Alessio is a premiership player at the club with over 100 games experience and we thought he was the best of the experienced ruckman available. We also needed to bolster our senior ruck division,"" Dodoro said.

Jason Laycock is a forward / ruckman who is a goalkicker. He is a strong overhead mark and quick. Made his debut for the Tasmania Devils (VFL) this year. AIS/AFL Academy member 2000/2001. From East Devonport. Kicked five goals for Tasmania against NSW/ACT is AFL U18's showed his great potential in a best on ground performance.

Dodoro said: ""He has loads of ability and has played both in the ruck and up forward in the under 18 competition. He is useful at ground level and has good agility for a player of his size. His body will develop further over time. We are really pleased to have been able to select him.""

Jason Winderlich an in-and-under type player who reads the play very well and kicks goals. He has excellent vision and overall skills are very good. He is also a team-orientated player. He was a Victorian Country Under 18s representative.

Dodoro says: ""He is a quick-running midfielder who consistently hits targets long and short. He has good evasive skills, is smart in heavy traffic and is a fine overhead mark for his size.""

Darren Walsh is a wingman with plenty of pace and is also a very poised player when he gets the football. His work ethic is very high and he attacks the ball with intensity.

Dodoro says: ""He is the sort of player who can can break up the play with his speed running the lines. Will need to build up physically but looks a good long-term prospect.""

Tristan Cartledge is a developing ruckman with an excellent leap whose second efforts are a feature of his game. Reads the game well and great potential when representing Victorian Country in the national carnival.

Dodoro says: ""He is an athletic, mobile ruckman who leaps well and regularly wins hit outs. He is a good mark in pack situations and also goes well at ground level for a big player.""