Essendon has looked to offset the loss of some experienced players by turning to some mature aged personnel in National Draft.

Dustin Fletcher and Jake Carlisle are no longer at the Club, but the Bombers hope former Geelong player Mitch Brown and former Magpie Michael Hartley will be able to make an immediate impact in 2016.

Brown is no stranger to Bombers fans having represented the team throughout last season’s NAB Challenge.

Essendon recruiting staff were always keen on the 25 year old, but feared he may be snapped up by another Club.

“His manager had told us during the week he’d go in the mid 30’s,” List and Recruiting Manager Adrian Dodoro said.

“We were desperate to get a key position player, we took the mids early.

“After the NAB Challenge this year we wanted him on our list – I’m sure he would have played a lot of senior footy for us.

“The fans have seen him, I’m sure they’ll be happy to have him.”

Brown was selected by Geelong with the 15^th overall selection in the 2008 National Draft.

He went on to play 15 senior games.  Twice he kicked three goals in a match.

After being delisted, he joined Sandringham in the VFL.  He enjoyed a consistent season before really turning it on in the finals.

He had 16 possessions, nine marks and kicked three goals against Collingwood and then followed that performance up with a four goal, 20 possession and 12-mark effort against Box Hill.

Michael Hartley has also been on an AFL list but his time at Collingwood was interrupted by injury.

He was drafted in 2011 Rookie Draft with the 87^th selection.

But he played just five VFL matches in two years, before being delisted at the end of 2013.

Now the 22 year old seems to have shrugged off his injury problems.  He played 14 VFL games in 2014 and didn’t miss a match this year.

“He’s 196cm, he’s had a terrific two years at Coburg and again we wanted some depth in our big man department,” Dodoro said.

“He was a best and fairest winner at Coburg. 

“After you lose Carlisle and obviously Dustin Fletcher, it’s good to get a couple of boys that can add some depth for us.

“If Hooker has to go forward or Hurley has to go forward, we’ve got a couple of boys that can play back and he deserves his chance.  He’s certainly been one of the better players in the VFL.”