Coach James Hird says he expects the club to continue its youth policy at this year’s pre-season draft, ruling out the likelihood of recruiting a mature-age player such as Ashley Hanson or Jack Anthony.
“We will have a look and see what is available – another midfielder would be great, maybe a ruckman but we will certainly stay on a youth line. I think our development is all about youth,” Hird said.
“We have to sit down with Adrian Dodoro and his team and go through what they think is out there but at the moment I think youth is the key.”
The Bombers have one pick remaining in the pre-season draft after selecting five players - Dyson Heppell, Ariel Steinberg, Michael Ross, Alex Browne and Luke Davis – in the national draft last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Hird said he wouldn’t concern himself with Bachar Houli’s bid to go to Richmond in the pre-season draft.
“Our policy here is that if guys want to play for the Essendon Football Club then they stay and they play and if they don’t then that’s the risk they take,” he said.
