Essendon has gone for a mix of players at the 2004 National Draft - selecting two midfielders, a key forward and a running half back. All of Essendon's selections came from outside Victoria - three from South Australia and one from Tasmania. The Bombers used its first selection to pick up midfielder Angus Monfries.

""You are always excited about the new talent coming into the club. All these young boys can play and they certainly add to our list in areas that we think needed to be built on,"" Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said.

""Angus Monfries is a 17-year-old from Sturt who has played senior SANFL football. He was definitely among the elite players available in the draft and very highly regarded by everyone who watched him. Many feel he has terrific leadership qualities.""

The Bombers' most interesting selection was its final pick when it took 22-year-old Central Districts player Paul Thomas.

""We think he will be a ready-made senior player off half back. He is a little bit like Damien Peverill in that he has just worked and worked on getting better. We nearly picked him up last year but with the extra year under his belt he will push for a senior berth early,"" Dodoro said. 

Player summary

Angus Monfries (Sturt - selection 14) - Medium, inside midfielder who is a prolific ball winner with a great work ethic and football smarts. S.A. under 18 representative winning All Australian honors this year.AIS-AFL graduate who was prominent playing for Australia against Ireland at Under 17 level this year.

Andrew Lee (Tassie Mariners - selection 30) - Tall forward who is a good contested mark and a very good kick for goal. A Tasmanian under 18s representative and his agility run of 8.04 seconds was outstanding for a tall forward. Played senior football with Burnie. He stands 194cm tall and weighs 83kg.

Henry Slattery (West Adelaide - selection 46) - A medium midfielder / defender with good hands and neat skills. He was a South Australian under 18 representative in 2004. He is 183cm tall and weighs 82kg.

Paul Thomas (Central Districts - selection 60) - Last year's Magarey Medallist. A player who is really determined to make it at AFL level. He stands 180cm and 80kg.

In other draft news:

Port Adelaide reject Cain Ackland was picked up by StKilda.  

Sydney picked up former Geelong player David Spriggs with selection 47.

St Kilda picked up former Collingwood player Mark McGough with selection 49.

Sydney re-drafted delisted player Heath James.