Essendon has welcomed classy key defender Zach Reid in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.

Hailing from Leongatha, the Gippsland Power talent was secured via pick No.10 - the club's third selection.

When you eye off players with raw potential and a huge ceiling, it's hard to look past the two-metre Reid.

Boasting terrific skills, athleticism, aerial prowess and footy smarts, Reid presents as a well-rounded player who shines as a stopper or half-back.

He averaged four marks a game in last year’s NAB League as a bottom-ager, with some draft experts suggesting his growth and development in a normal 2020 season may have shot him into top-five calculations. 

Reid's talents aren't just limited to defence, too, with the 18-year-old showing his capabilities as a forward and pinch-hitting ruckman.

General manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said he held Reid in high regard.

"He was the best player available in our opinion at the time," Dodoro said.

"We set out in this draft to make sure that the spine of the club was going to be in shape for the next 10 years.

"He's a fabulous player. He's got a lot of Dustin Fletcher about him, and some say (Harris) Andrews from the Brisbane Lions also.

"The good thing about (No.8 pick) Cox and Reid is that they're magnificent athletes. They've got unbelievable running capacity and they kick the ball well."

ZACH REID AT A GLANCE:

Position: Key defender/utility
Team: Gippsland Power/Victoria
Height: 202cm
Weight: 83kg
DOB: March 2, 2002
Key strengths: Vertical leap, aerial ability, skills
Key stat: Averaged 75 per cent kicking efficiency in 2019 NAB League

This news is brought to you by Orchard HRO, the club's official recruitment and list management partner.