Essendon today ended months of speculation selecting tall, mobile defender, David Myers, with pick six of the 2007 National AFL Draft.

 

Recruited from Perth, Myers - who was born 30 June, 1989 - is a potent left-footer and a graduate of the 2005/06 AIS-AFL Academy.
 
He also won the Barassi Medal as the best and fairest player during the Australian U17 squad’s 2006 series against Ireland. His time of 3.01sec for 20m at the 2007 NAB AFL Draft Camp highlighted his impressive speed for a 190.7cm defender.

 

Essendon List Manager Adrian Dodoro said the Bombers were delighted with their opportunity to take the 86.2 kg defender with their first selection of the 2007 draft.

 
“We were really, really happy with all of the results today,” Dodoro said.

 

“We think we got the best player available with pick six in David Myers.

 

“He is a 191cm, genuine midfielder who has played a lot of time in the half-back position but we believe he has the ability to develop into a strong onballer or midfielder.

 

“He has sensational decision making ability and is in a league of his own with his leadership skills.”

 

The Bombers used their second selection to further boost their supply of talls, selecting 190.1cm, 91.8 kg, Tayte Pears, with pick 23.

 

Boasting impressive decision making ability and excellent use of the ball, Pears - who was born 24 March 24, 1990 - is a tall defender who hails from East Perth.
 
He recorded an outstanding 2.92 seconds for the 20m sprint – placing him in the top 10 percent of players at the 2007 NAB AFL Draft Camp.
 

Dodoro explained to Bomber.tv that the Bombers were surprised Pears was still in the mix when it came around to their second selection.

 

“There were a number of clubs that were throwing Pears’ name around and we were glad to continue our decision to select the best quality player available,” Dodoro said.

 

“We feel Tayte can handle a key defensive role within the side and we feel he has the ability to develop into a key midfield player.”

 

The Bombers had already secured the extremely competitive and footy smart, Darcy Daniher, son of Essendon legend Anthony, with selection 39 under the father/son rule.

 

Dodoro believes the former Calder Cannon - who was born 21 September, 1989 and is 191.1cm and 89.5 kg - will add some versatility to the Essendon line-up.

 
Daniher is known for being strong overhead and makes good position.
 

“Obviously securing the services of Daniher under the father/son rule is a massive bonus because he can play both ends of the ground,” Dodoro said.

 

“He probably follows the mould of Adam Hunter from West Coast in that he will provide an option down back or up forward.”

 

Western Australian recruits were the order of the day for the Bombers who used their fourth selection, pick 54, to snatch up East Fremantle's 195cm-forward Cale Hooker.

 

“Cale is very, very quick and very exciting,” Dodoro said.

 

“He is a bit older and stands at 197cm and we thought he was worth the punt, given his exceptional athleticism.""

 

Overall, Dodoro was pleased with the results of today’s draft, saying the Bombers had achieved everything that they had hoped for.

 

“In this draft we hoped to address the need to find a key midfielder and to address the succession plan for the next couple of years given key players Matthew Lloyd, Dustin Flecther and Scott Lucas won’t be here in a few years,” Dodoro said.

 

“We think we have done that today with our selections by securing key position players who have the ability to establish key roles within the side in the upcoming years.”

 

Essendon passed on selection 68.
 
None of the players selected by Essendon were at today's draft.
 
For behind the scenes Bomber.tv coverage of the draft - including interviews with Matthew Knights and the Essendon recruitment staff - click here.