Rising Essendon star Mark Johnson will be joined at Windy Hill by his younger brother David after he was selected by Essendon at the rookie draft yesterday.

Johnson, who spent last season with the Calder Cannons, was taken at pick number 30.

The 18-year-old stands 179cm tall and is expected to slot into reserves football as a ruck rover or winger.

Johnson however wasn't the club's first selection at the rookie draft. That honor went to Cory McGrath.

McGrath was taken at selection number 14 by the Essendon recruiting staff. The 20-year-old from South Fremantle is also a half-back / wing type who stands 181cm tall.

With pick number 45, Essendon picked up Adam Switala, a 21-year-old from Central Districts who generally plays on a wing or across half forward.

Switala has already had plenty of experience playing senior football. He has played over 50 SANFL senior games with Central Districts.

With its final pick of the 1999 Rookie Draft, pick number 57, Essendon selected James Podsiadly from the Western Jets.

Podsiadly is 193cm tall and could develop into a key position player having spent much of his time with the Western Jets at centre half-forward.