And the club will be hoping the tradition continues with the addition of Dean Dick and Danny Chartres in yesterday’s Rookie Draft.
Son of former Essendon player Willie, Dean Dick was the Bombers first selection.
A graduate from the Clontarf Football Academy, Dick played the majority of junior football as tall defender but can also play forward. With a thumping kick, Essendon was attracted to the 17-year-olds natural ability and skill.
From Peel Thunder, Danny Chartres arrives at Essendon with senior experience under his belt and a mature body. Missing out on the last three national drafts, Chartres thought his opportunity at AFL had almost passed him by.
""I am pretty shocked to be coming to Essendon, but excited at the same time,"" he explained.
""Before the National draft Essendon showed a bit of interest, but after that I hadn’t spoken to any clubs so I really wasn’t expecting too much.""
But the disappointment of missing out on being drafted in previous years left the 20-year-old hungrier for success.
And now with a mature body and weighing 95kgs, Chartres feels it could work in his advantage.
""I was a little bit disappointed after the national draft. I thought that was it, that I had missed out on getting another chance.
""But I tried to stay hopeful - I’d like to think I am footy smart and good in a one-on-one contest
and I have worked hard over the last couple of years in the gym to get a bit bigger.""
Recruited as part of the succession planning of the Essendon defensive unit, Chartres is seen as a talented key defender of the future. And he is keen to develop himself by learning from two of the best backs in the competition in Dustin Fletcher and Mal Michael.
""They are two blokes who are a lot bigger than me and it will be quite daunting, but I am sure it will be fun and I am excited about the opportunity to be able to learn from them.""
Both Charters and Dick will join in training when the team returns from its Christmas break in early January.
