Essendon will go into the December 19 Rookie Draft with three selections after David Johnson and Adam Switala were today de-listed by the Bombers. Both Johnson and Switala spent two seasons at Windy Hill. Johnson, the younger brother of Mark, struggled with injury for most of last season. Switala, who joined the Bombers from Central Districts in South Australia, spent a brief period on the Essendon senior list towards the end of 2001. Marcus Kenny has been re-rookied by the Bombers while Damien Peverill has been promoted to the senior list.

Each club can have a maximum of four rookies. With the de-listings of Johnson and Switala and the promotion of Peverill, the Essendon recruting staff will now go into the Rookie Draft and have up to three selections. The rookie list has been a great recruiting ground for the Bombers. Damien Peverill joins Mark Johnson, Dean Rioli, Cory McGrath and Gary Moorcroft as former rookie listed players currently on the Essendon senior list.

Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said that under the rookie system the club had no choice but to de-list Johnson and Switala. ""You can only keep rookies for a maximum of two seasons. We weren't in a position to upgrade them to the senior list at the end of their second season so we have to let them go,"" Drain said. ""They have been great contributors for our VFL side and we thank them for their service."" Both Switala and Johnson will nominate for the draft.