Essendon has secured Michael Hibberd in the 2011 AFL pre-season draft.
Recruited from Frankston, Hibberd is a 21 year old running defender and was in the VFL team of the year in 2010.
Essendon Manager Player Personal Adrian Dodoro said Hibberd had all the attributes to play AFL football
“At 187 cm, he’s a running defender type that can play small and tall, he’s a left footer who has good speed, uses the ball well and can push up into the midfield,” Dodoro said.
The Bombers drafted promising ruckman Josh Jenkins with the clubs first selection (Overall, pick 12) in the rookie draft.
Recruited from Lake Boga in the Central Murray Football League, where he made his senior debut at age 14, Jenkins is a towering ruckman who is very fast for his size.
Essendon has thrown Jay Neagle a lifeline, adding the key forward to the clubs rookie list (Overall, Pick 29) after he was delisted last month.
Also given a second chance, Tyson Slattery has been added to the Bombers rookie list (Overall, Pick 46) in season 2011.
Slattery is a pacy South Australian who has showed plenty of ability as a rebounding half back.
Essendon has used its final selection in the rookie draft to secure James Webster.
Recruited from Woy Woy Peninsula Swans, Webster is a dashing midfielder who has been upgraded from a NSW scholarship player to a NSW rookie player.
From the town of Terrigal on the NSW central coast, Webster is now eligible to play in the 2011 NAB Cup and put in a number of impressive performances for the NSW/ACT Rams at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
