The Bombers had six selections overall; one in the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft and five in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft. They went in with intent to further boost their midfield after taking Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer, key position player Jake Carlisle and defender Anthony Long in the November NAB AFL Draft. They came away from Tuesday's drafts with six midfielders including five new faces and a familiar one in recently delisted Bomber John Williams.
Player comments
Selection No.7 (pre-season draft): Kyle Hardingham
DOB: 01/09/88, Height: 184cm, Weight: 84kg
Recruited from: East Fremantle
The 21-year-old Western Australian will bring versatility to the club after showing ability to fill almost any position on the ground. He won the East Fremantle senior best and fairest in 2009 and demonstrated his impressive speed at WA state screening. He is considered a solid defender and likens himself to Hawthorn's Luke Hodge.
Selection No.14 (rookie draft): Taite Silverlock
DOB: 25/01/91, Height: 178cm, Weight: 83kg
Recruited from: West Adelaide
The 18-year-old South Australian played state level in both under 18s and under 16s and is considered a talented midfielder/forward. He is considered to have an impressive football brain and is accomplished at reading the play. He applies good defensive pressure and can be likened to Collingwood's Paul Medhurst.
Selection No.30: Ben Howlett
DOB: 21/10/88, Height: 180cm, Weight: 82kg
Recruited from: Peel Thunder
The slightly older midfielder from Western Australia won Thunder's senior best and fairest this year. He is a quick midfielder who played every game this year. He is a pacy rover type, and he was linked heavily to West Coast in the lead up to the draft.
Selection No.43: Stewart Crameri
DOB: 10/08/88, Height: 188cm, Weight: 86kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Bombers
The highly-skilled midfielder has spent two years playing for Bendigo's senior side and 2007 in the reserves. He kicked four goals against the Coburg Tigers in round seven this year.
Selection No.55: Marcus Marigliani
DOB: 05/12/85, Height: 180cm, Weight: 80kg
Recruited from: Frankston
The Bombers raided the VFL again for this mature-age rookie. He comes with an impressive resume, having won Frankston's best and fairest in 2008 and been runner up this year. He is considered a strong inside midfielder who can play inside the forward 50 as a small lead-up player. He was in the VFL team of the year for the second season running in 2009.
Selection No.65: John Williams
DOB: 08/10/88, Height: 188cm, Weight: 84kg
Recruited from: Morningside/Essendon
The former Bomber was drafted back after two seasons on the list. The high-marking forward has shown talent during his time at Windy Hill but had his 2009 season ruined by a shoulder injury that required a reconstruction. The young Queenslander will be hoping for a change of fortune this year.
