The recruits met the playing group at training this morning and took part in the warm up and a light skills session.
Michael Ross from Gippsland compared the feeling to his first day of school and admits being a little nervous arriving at training.
“It was daunting but our first training session was alright. We only did the warm up and the first drill so they held us back a bit to ease us in,” said Ross.
The players then had medical checks, physical examinations and an official tour of Windy Hill.
The club’s first round selection Dyson Heppell says he’s still pinching himself about becoming an Essendon player.
“First day has been amazing, meeting all the boys, they’ve been really welcoming and the coaching staff has made it really easy,” said Heppell.
Click here to see Heppell and the latest draftees on BomberTV.
Luke Davis flew in from Adelaide last night and to his surprise was immediately welcomed to the club by Captain Jobe Watson.
“The transition was made pretty easily, getting off the plane last night I went straight to Jobe Watson’s house for a barbeque, so that was pretty exciting as well,” said Davis.
Ariel Steinberg’s pathway to AFL football has taken him across the world. The talented midfielder from Bendigo spent a year in Canada playing Gridiron.
“My family and a Canadian family swapped house for a year. I went to school over there, played a bit of their brand of football gridiron and I really enjoyed the experience and am probably a lot better for it as well,” said Steinberg.
For Xavier College boy Alex Browne, converting his mum and dad to support the Bombers might be his first challenge.
“My dad played for Collingwood and a little bit for Fitzroy but mainly a Collingwood man and mum used to be a Bluebird at Carlton so it is a bit weird I'm down at Essendon but I'm really happy to be here,” said Browne.
