Essendon has bolstered both its midfield and forward stocks after drafting a number of promising rookies in this morning’s 2011 AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Draft.
Manager of player personnel Adrian Dodoro said the club’s recruiting department were pleased with Essendon’s overall selections.
“We’re really happy with the picks we’ve taken, as we’ve recruited six quality players in this year’s Rookie Draft,” Dodoro said.
“Our first selection in Lauchlan Dalgleish is really pleasing. He is a midfielder with exceptional speed and he uses the ball very well.
“Lauchlan has really impressed everyone at the club in the training programs before the draft, so we’re very happy to have him on board,” he said.
The club has also welcomed 22-year-old small forward Corey Dell'Olio from South Fremantle, after being drafted at selection 29 this morning.
Dodoro said Dell’Olio’s dangerous goal kicking abilities would benefit the Bombers’ forward line.
“Corey Dell’Olio is a small forward from South Fremantle and he is an impressive goal sneak,” he said.
“He kicked 57 goals in his senior side for South Fremantle this year and is a player we believe can step up to senior football in the future.”
With the club’s third selection, Essendon took mature age defender Mark Baguley from Frankston and Dodoro said the club was attracted to his impressive combination of speed and agility.
“Mark Baguley is a 24-year-old from Frankston who plays as a small defender. He reads the game extremely well and kicks the ball very well,” Dodoro said.
“Mark has great speed and agility so we’re really looking forward to welcoming him to the club.”
Dodoro said the club’s fourth selection in medium defender Hal Hunter was a pleasing get for the club, despite the 18-year-old’s previous injury history.
“Hal comes to us from the Calder Cannons and at 18 years of age, he is a strong bodied mid come half back,” he said.
“He played for Vic Metro this year but unfortunately sustained a few injuries throughout the season. Our medical team suggests we can get him really right during this year so we think that Hal will be able to have a good season for us next year.”
Essendon used its fifth selection to recruit mature age midfielder Brendan Lee from the East Perth Football Club.
“Brendan won the best and fairest award for his club this year and is a player that had over 500 possessions in the WAFL this season alone,” Dodoro said.
“He is a player we believe can really step up and is ready to go and we’d hope he can play senior level football next year.”
Former senior listed player Anthony Long is set to return to the club, after being re-recruited as a rookie with Essendon’s final selection this morning.
Dodoro said the club remained faithful to Long and believed in his playing ability, despite his reoccurring hamstring injuries in the past.
“We are really pleased to have taken Anthony back on our list, after he seems to have overcome his hamstring injuries,” Dodoro said.
“We have a very high opinion of him, so it is really pleasing to see him back on the list and we look forward to seeing what Anthony has in store for us.”
Manager of player personnel Adrian Dodoro said the club’s recruiting department were pleased with Essendon’s overall selections.
“We’re really happy with the picks we’ve taken, as we’ve recruited six quality players in this year’s Rookie Draft,” Dodoro said.
“Our first selection in Lauchlan Dalgleish is really pleasing. He is a midfielder with exceptional speed and he uses the ball very well.
“Lauchlan has really impressed everyone at the club in the training programs before the draft, so we’re very happy to have him on board,” he said.
The club has also welcomed 22-year-old small forward Corey Dell'Olio from South Fremantle, after being drafted at selection 29 this morning.
Dodoro said Dell’Olio’s dangerous goal kicking abilities would benefit the Bombers’ forward line.
“Corey Dell’Olio is a small forward from South Fremantle and he is an impressive goal sneak,” he said.
“He kicked 57 goals in his senior side for South Fremantle this year and is a player we believe can step up to senior football in the future.”
With the club’s third selection, Essendon took mature age defender Mark Baguley from Frankston and Dodoro said the club was attracted to his impressive combination of speed and agility.
“Mark Baguley is a 24-year-old from Frankston who plays as a small defender. He reads the game extremely well and kicks the ball very well,” Dodoro said.
“Mark has great speed and agility so we’re really looking forward to welcoming him to the club.”
Dodoro said the club’s fourth selection in medium defender Hal Hunter was a pleasing get for the club, despite the 18-year-old’s previous injury history.
“Hal comes to us from the Calder Cannons and at 18 years of age, he is a strong bodied mid come half back,” he said.
“He played for Vic Metro this year but unfortunately sustained a few injuries throughout the season. Our medical team suggests we can get him really right during this year so we think that Hal will be able to have a good season for us next year.”
Essendon used its fifth selection to recruit mature age midfielder Brendan Lee from the East Perth Football Club.
“Brendan won the best and fairest award for his club this year and is a player that had over 500 possessions in the WAFL this season alone,” Dodoro said.
“He is a player we believe can really step up and is ready to go and we’d hope he can play senior level football next year.”
Former senior listed player Anthony Long is set to return to the club, after being re-recruited as a rookie with Essendon’s final selection this morning.
Dodoro said the club remained faithful to Long and believed in his playing ability, despite his reoccurring hamstring injuries in the past.
“We are really pleased to have taken Anthony back on our list, after he seems to have overcome his hamstring injuries,” Dodoro said.
“We have a very high opinion of him, so it is really pleasing to see him back on the list and we look forward to seeing what Anthony has in store for us.”
