McGough, Justin Blumfield, David Spriggs, Mark Graham and Kris Barlow are among the names that will be up for grabs while Brisbane’s Clark Keating and former Bomber Blake Caracella are yet to re-sign with the Lions. Other names could yet be added to the list with the National Draft still two weeks away.
But Essendon officials are playing their cards close to their chest and did not wish to speculate on McGough or any other players that might become available in the draft.
McGough, 20, has starred for Collingwood against Essendoon in a couple of Anzac Day games and has a knack of finding the football. But question marks remain as to whether his skill level and leg speed is at the required level.
The national draft will be held on Saturday, November 20th with the pre-season draft set down for Tuesday, December 14th.
IN other news, Essendon has appointed Joel Hocking as full-time assistant to Fitness Coach John Quinn. Hocking has previously worked on a part-time basis for the club. He will be match day fitness coach for the Bendigo Bombers, involved in the implementation of the club’s rehabilitation programs and assist with the over all conditioning program.
THE Bendigo Bombers have announced they will field a reserves’ side in the VFL competition from next season onwards. The reserves side will be coached by senior assistant coach Greg Cox.
""A lot of hard work had been put into developing a model to enable the Bombers to have the finances and resources to allow this to happen,"" Bendigo Bombers chairman Warren Driscoll said.
""The Board acknowledges that without the support of Football Victoria and the Essendon Football Club the establishment of a Reserve Grade Team would not have been achieved for some years.""
Bendigo Bombers’ pre-season training commences on Monday, November 15 and the club has attracted number of quality young players who have requested to join our pre-season training in a bid to fill one of the final 35 places on the squad.
