An elite engine and the ability to excite made Yestin Eades an enticing prospect for recruiters heading in to the National Draft.

In the end it was the Bombers who called out his name with the 64th selection overall.

It followed a season where the West Australian native excelled for North Ballarat in the TAC Cup, having made the move across the country late last year.

“He’s an exciting forward or defender,” North Ballarat’s Talent Manager Phil Partington said.

“When the ball is in his area something happens.  He applies great defensive pressure.  His running capabilities are elite.

“His GPS results and high end running are elite AFL level. 

"Not many players can keep up with him because he’s just got that high intensity running all the time.”

Aside from averaging 14 disposals a game in the TAC Cup and 11 disposals from four games at the U18 National Championships, Eades was also selected to play with the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL for one game.

Eades would left such an impression, he was awarded two Liston Trophy Votes.

“He knows where the goals are and he’s quite smart with the footy as well,” Partington said.

“He’ll try and take blokes on and bewilder them with his agility.

“Certainly clubs were very impressed with him throughout the National Championships and later in the year as well in the Rebels finals series.”

Partington is confident that in time, Eades will become an important member of the Essendon line-up.

“We do the best we possibly can to get these boys prepared for a full time AFL level,” he said.

“That will certainly help him through but I don’t think you can prepare a young boy for being a full-time athlete straight away. 

"He’ll learn from some great mentors and role models at the Essendon Football Club and get an understanding of what he’s got to do."