Angus Monfries was tracked during an under 18 representative game last year and he ran a total of 13km. That is an enormous effort for one so young and it is his ‘engine’ that was one of the key attractions to Essendon who yesterday took the 17-year-old from Sturt with its first selection at the National Draft.

This morning the youngster was still pinching himself and he said his conversion to a mad Bomber supporter was complete the moment Adrian Dodoro read his name out.

""I did follow Adelaide but all that is in the past now,"" Monfries said. ""I’m just glad it is all over and that I have been lucky enough to be picked up by a club like Essendon.""

""I can’t wait to get over to Melbourne. I want to have a really solid pre-season and get the best out of myself. I’m really looking forward to training and meeting the boys.""

Monfries is one of three South Australians drafted by Essendon and he along with Henry Slattery and Paul Thomas will fly to Melbourne next Tuesday.

""I had about 12 clubs talk to me but I really didn’t have much of an idea in terms of where I might end up playing,"" Monfries said.

""I played most of last season in the reserves at Sturt but I was promoted to the seniors in round 21 and held my spot in the side playing in the midfield and across half forward. I was lucky enough to play in a couple of finals as well.""

Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro believes the Bombers have secured a long-term midfield proposition in Monfries.

""He will take some time. I don’t expect him to walk straight into the senior side but having said that I do think we will see him playing senior football at some stage,"" Dodoro said.

""He played senior football as a 16-year-old with Sturt and played five games last year as a 17-year-old. I like the fact he has played against men at such a young age and handled himself well.

""He is an inside midfielder with a big engine. He was tracked in one under 18 representative game and he ran 13km during the course of a game. That is a very good effort for a young kid.

""He has got good skills, he is right-sided but proficient on both sides of the body. It is his ability to win the ball we really like – he works extremely hard at stoppages.

""We think he also has some real leadership qualities. Brenton Phillips coached him at Sturt and Terry Wheeler has also had a lot to do with him – both of them really like his character.""

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