Essendon has passed on recruiting Johan Wagner at Wednesday night’s specially convened draft meeting for the television show The Recruit.

Wagner will join Port Adelaide as a rookie listed player after winning a contract and selecting the Power.

Wagner, currently on SANFL team Central District's list, was given his choice of clubs after Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney and the Power elected to nominate him as a draft selection.

Wagner was given a short time to pick which club he would play for but was quick to decide he would remain in his home state and start his career at the Power.

The winner of the series was determined in a live finale where a special NAB AFL Draft meeting was held and attended by two people from each club.

The final three contestants were voted on a 3-2-1 basis by all 18 clubs, which determined Wagner the winner from AIS volleyballer Bradie Foster.

The third finalist, midfielder Chris Moreland, was delisted after polling the least amount of votes.

To qualify for the competition, players had to be 20 years of age on or before 31 December 2013 and may not have been on an AFL primary or rookie list at any time previously in their career or on a VFL, SANFL or WAFL club list in 2012 and 2013.

Potential draftees were under the direction of three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player Michael Voss, former Hawthorn player Ben Dixon, Port Adelaide high performance coach Darren Burgess and Brisbane Lions’ psychology coach Leigh Russell.