In the lead up to this week’s AFL National Draft, we take a retrospective look at the best players in modern history selected at pick 19, 31 and 59 – the Bombers’ selections at this year’s AFL National Draft.
With the introduction of the GWS Giants – who are guaranteed 11 of the first 14 picks at this year’s National Draft – essendonfc.com.au investigates the calibre of playing talent previously on offer with the club's upcoming picks at the 2011 AFL National Draft.
Today, we take a look at the best of pick 59.
Anthony McDonald (Melbourne)
Recruited from: Coburg 1996
Drafted at age 24 from Melbourne’s reserves, McDonald, who was selected by the Demons at pick 59, played 104 matches including the 2000 Grand Final loss against Essendon. The wingman, who appeared in six finals for Melbourne, was a key pick up for the Demons in the 1996 National Draft.
John Barnes (Essendon)
Recruited from: Geelong 1999
Barnes, who was picked up at selection 59, was a crowd favourite who played 58 games for Essendon in an AFL career that spanned 15 seasons. The promising ruckman debuted in round 10, 1987 but was traded to Geelong in 1991 after limited opportunities with the Bombers.
Former coach Kevin Sheedy recognised Barnes’ evolving talents and recruited him back to the club in 1999. Barnes was an integral part of the 2000 Premiership side.
Matthew Dundas (Fitzroy)
Recruited from: Assumption College 1988
A small, but gutsy rover, Dundas was recruited as the 59th pick by Fitzroy from Assumption College in 1988. He became a key player in a hard era at the Club, playing 73 matches and booting 61 goals from 1990-1993. Dundas moved to Richmond at the end of the 1993 season.
Craig Bird (Sydney)
Recruited from: Nelson Bay 2007
The Swans midfielder was drafted as the 59th pick in the 2007 AFL Draft after previously being part of the NSW AFL Scholarship Program, and made his debut in round one of the 2008 season. Bird has played 62 games for Sydney since 2008 and continues to rise as a promising tagger.
With the introduction of the GWS Giants – who are guaranteed 11 of the first 14 picks at this year’s National Draft – essendonfc.com.au investigates the calibre of playing talent previously on offer with the club's upcoming picks at the 2011 AFL National Draft.
Today, we take a look at the best of pick 59.
Anthony McDonald (Melbourne)
Recruited from: Coburg 1996
Drafted at age 24 from Melbourne’s reserves, McDonald, who was selected by the Demons at pick 59, played 104 matches including the 2000 Grand Final loss against Essendon. The wingman, who appeared in six finals for Melbourne, was a key pick up for the Demons in the 1996 National Draft.
John Barnes (Essendon)
Recruited from: Geelong 1999
Barnes, who was picked up at selection 59, was a crowd favourite who played 58 games for Essendon in an AFL career that spanned 15 seasons. The promising ruckman debuted in round 10, 1987 but was traded to Geelong in 1991 after limited opportunities with the Bombers.
Former coach Kevin Sheedy recognised Barnes’ evolving talents and recruited him back to the club in 1999. Barnes was an integral part of the 2000 Premiership side.
Matthew Dundas (Fitzroy)
Recruited from: Assumption College 1988
A small, but gutsy rover, Dundas was recruited as the 59th pick by Fitzroy from Assumption College in 1988. He became a key player in a hard era at the Club, playing 73 matches and booting 61 goals from 1990-1993. Dundas moved to Richmond at the end of the 1993 season.
Craig Bird (Sydney)
Recruited from: Nelson Bay 2007
The Swans midfielder was drafted as the 59th pick in the 2007 AFL Draft after previously being part of the NSW AFL Scholarship Program, and made his debut in round one of the 2008 season. Bird has played 62 games for Sydney since 2008 and continues to rise as a promising tagger.
