Jordan Ridley only heard from the Essendon recruiting team once throughout the season.

There was a second catch-up leading up to the draft and together with his on-field exploits that was all the convincing the Bombers needed.

Ridley was selected with the 22^nd overall pick and arrives as a mobile and versatile player.

Throughout 2016, he was used all over the ground by the Oakleigh Chargers.  He averaged 19 possessions per game and won the kicking test at the Draft Combine.

Ridley spent his first week as an Essendon player at a training camp at HMAS Cerberus, the Royal Australian Navy’s training base.

“It’s been really good – a bit weird seeing all of the blokes you’ve idolised growing up and now being teammates with them,” Ridley said.

“It’s good to learn off some of the older blokes who know a lot about the game.

“They’ve been really helpful with the footy drills.  You can see in everything they do, they really lead the way and do it at that elite level.”

Ridley grew up a Hawthorn fan and as a young forward coming through the junior ranks looked up to Jack Gunston, but he sees his long-term future in other parts of the ground.

“I’d say for the moment I’ll play half back but eventually I guess more on-ball,” Ridley said. 

“Firstly it’s just getting into the routine of it and then learning as much as I can from the older players who know a lot about what they’re doing … and to get fitter, faster and stronger like every pre-season.”