The inability of the Essendon coaching staff to consider Shaun McKernan for selection in last week’s match against West Coast has shone the spotlight on the future of the Rookie List.

McKernan played his first and only game for the Bombers this season against North Melbourne in round seven.

The former Crow was promoted to the Dons senior list when Jason Winderlich was moved to the long term injury list because of a back problem. 

But when Winderlich returned to the VFL a fortnight ago, it meant McKernan had to be placed back on the Rookie List and was no longer eligible for senior selection.

Essendon Coach James Hird suggested McKernan was a strong chance of playing against the Eagles, but because of the rules in place, he stayed in Melbourne and played in the VFL.

It left Jake Carlisle to shoulder the ruck responsibility against Nic Naitanui.

The Bombers List and Recruiting Manager Adrian Dodoro said it might be time for a rethink.

“I’d like to see just an extension of the primary list,” he said.

“We’ve got 38 or 40 primary listed players plus your four or six rookies – I think it’d be great if it was just 44 players that you could select from.

“There’s not much of a discrepancy in wage, it wouldn’t make much of a difference. 

“It gets the National Draft over and done with in one night and we can all move forward.”

The Bombers have been well served by the Rookie List over the years.

Premiership player Mark Johnson as well as Dean Rioli, Damien Peverill and Nathan Lovett-Murray got their chances at Essendon after being overlooked in the National Draft.

While current day Bombers Mark Baguley, Heath Hocking and Ben Howlett also came to the club via the Rookie Draft. 

“It’s been a good initiative the Rookie Draft, there is no doubt,” Dodoro said.

“But I think it has probably come to a point now where it could be incorporated in to the National Draft.”