Essendon has taken small midfielder/defender Will Hams in the 2013 Pre-Season Draft earlier this morning.

List manager Adrian Dodoro said the 18-year-old trained with the club in the past week and possessed a never-say-die attitude that would be a welcomed addition to the red and black.

“Will is a young man who comes from Sale via the Gippsland Power this year,” Dodoro said.

“He has trained with us in the last week and demonstrated how professional he is in the way he goes about his football.

“He has an elite engine and is a left-footer.

“He has the courage to play inside and out and has also demonstrated that he has a good goal sense,” Dodoro said.

Hams averaged 11.5 disposals in four games for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year.

His relentless attack on the football as well as the opposition are a real feature of his game.

“With these terrific qualities, we thought he was the best player available at the selection today so we’re thrilled to have him at the club,” Dodoro said.

Essendon also re-drafted Ariel Steinberg as a rookie at this morning's AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Draft.