Essendon secures Myers with pick six

[Burzum]

Essendon secures Myers with pick six

Saturday, 24 November 2007
Essendon today ended months of speculation selecting tall, mobile defender, David Myers, with pick six of the 2007 National AFL Draft.

Recruited from Perth, Myers is a potent left-footer and a graduate of the 2005/06 AIS-AFL Academy. He also won the Barassi Medal as the best and fairest player during the Australian U17 squad’s 2006 series against Ireland.

Essendon List Manager Adrian Dodoro said the Bombers were delighted with their opportunity to take the 191cm midfielder with their first selection of the 2007 draft.

“We were really, really happy with all of the results today,” Dodoro said.

“We think we got the best player available with pick six in David Myers.

“He is a 191cm, genuine midfielder who has played a lot of time in the half-back position but we believe he has the ability to develop into a strong onballer or midfielder.

“He has sensational decision making ability and is in a league of his own with his leadership skills.”

The Bombers used their second selection to further boost their supply of talls, selecting Tayte Pears with pick 23.

Boasting impressive decision making ability and excellent use of the ball, Pears is a tall defender who hails from East Perth.

Dodoro explained to Bomber.tv that the Bombers were surprised that Pears was still in the mix when it came around to their second selection.

“There were a number of clubs that were throwing Pears’ name around and we were glad to continue our decision to select the best quality player available,” Dodoro said.

“We feel Tayte can handle a key defensive role within the side and we feel he has the ability to develop into a key midfield player.”

The Bombers had already secured the extremely competitive and footy smart, Darcy Daniher, son of Essendon legend Anthony, with selection 39 under the father/son rule.

Dodoro believes the former Calder Cannon will add some versatility to the Essendon line-up.

“Obviously securing the services of Daniher under the father/son rule is a massive bonus because he can play both ends of the ground,” Dodoro said.

“He probably follows the mould of Adam Hunter from West Coast in that he will provide an option down back or up forward.”

Western Australian recruits were the order of the day for the Bombers who used their fourth selection, pick 54, to snatch up East Fremantle's 195cm-forward Cale Hooker.

“Cale is very, very quick and very exciting,” Dodoro said.

“He is a bit older and stands at 197cm and we thought he was worth the punt, given his exceptional athleticism."

Overall, Dodoro was pleased with the results of today’s draft, saying the Bombers had achieved everything that they had hoped for.

“In this draft we hoped to address the need to find a key midfielder and to address the succession plan for the next couple of years given key players Matthew Lloyd, Dustin Flecther and Scott Lucas won’t be here in a few years,” Dodoro said.

“We think we have done that today with our selections by securing key position players who have the ability to establish key roles within the side in the upcoming years.”

Essendon passed on selection 68.

None of the players selected by Essendon were at today's draft.

Full coverage of the draft - including interview with matthew Knights and the recruitment staff - will be available on Bomber.tv soon.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5481

There you have it, Myers will be a midfielder.

 

[The_Young_Gun]

Ahh well, lets hope Dodoro's made the right decision.

I dunno about letting Palmer pass through.

 

[Schmick]

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5481

There you have it, Myers will be a midfielder.

Expected, just great to be reassured that that's where he'll be playing.

 

[PressureCooker]

“We feel Tayte can handle a key defensive role within the side and we feel he has the ability to develop into a key midfield player.”

Interesting...

 

[bomba4eva]

“We feel Tayte can handle a key defensive role within the side and we feel he has the ability to develop into a key midfield player.”

Interesting...

That is interesting. Also worthy to note is how we have gone about building up our defence. Makes me think that the coach/recruiters have confidence with the players we have coming through. Must not forget that we have been drafting midfielders in recent times. We seem to also be filling up our KPP posts which i completely agree with. Before many of the fans jump the gun and groan over the decision to pass on Palmer, they should realise that Myers has exceptional leadership skills, which will definitely add to the Bombers in the future, but also has the ability to play through the midfield. At this time I can say well done to Dodora and everyone involved in the drafting process and think they have made wise decisions. Time will tell though

 

[Burzum]

I don't think Myers will be our future captain.

 

[carmi99]

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5481

There you have it, Myers will be a midfielder.

Thanks Ryder i needed to hear/read that mate! I feel better now....

 

[High Ryder]

Merv, time to change the avatar.

 

[Merv]

Merv, time to change the avatar.

Yeah very true HR,
It's ok though as although i wanted Palmer i'm wrapt with Myers and stunned we got Pears at 23 also.

 

[B-Bomber]

At least we know that Myers knowns what the word accountability means, seeing that he is a midfielder who also plays as a mobile defender.

 

[GoDons]

I don't think Myers will be our future captain.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves now...

A very exciting selection nonetheless, a super prospect.

 

[DonMania#5]

Would have preffered Palmer but i hope Myers proves me wrong.

 

[dave_27]

Love the fact the bloke has a lethal disposal on him and by all reports a excellent decision maker with the ball.

The EXACT attributes this playing list has lacked.

 

[hulld]

he is a better all round footballer than palmer. palmer isn't too concerned with the defensive aspects of the game of football

 

[FootyEater]

congrats/thankyou for taking myers, he will be a good player, but honestly i can not believe you let palmer come to us. and i am stoked. palmer is a hell of a lot better. but you should still get good service from myers.

 

[Burzum]

Myers thrilled to be a Bomber

Myers thrilled to be a Bomber

Saturday, 24 November 2007
David Myers’ phone went into overdrive this morning as close friends and family rang to congratulate the 18-year-old on the announcement that he was officially a Bomber.

Myers was ecstatic when realising he had been selected with Essendon’s first pick when watching the 2007 AFL draft over the internet.

“Everyone is just over the moon,” Myers said.

“It is something that I have been wanting to do my whole life and to get the opportunity it just fantastic.

“The fact that I have been drafted to a great club like Essendon makes it even more exciting.”

Set to fly over to Victoria next week, Myers is enthusiastic about joining his Essendon team-mates and getting into the thick of the action as soon as he can.

“I just want to get stuck into it,” Myers said.

“I am really looking forward to heading down there and meeting everyone.

“I must admit that it is a bit nervy having to pack up and move straight away but I asked plenty of questions beforehand about what normally happens so I have had plenty of time to prepare for it.

“It’s obviously going to be a bit of a thrill running around with Lloydy and Lucas and those sorts of guys, so I am really looking forward to it.”

Thrilled at the opportunity to call Windy Hill home next season, Myers admits that the family’s football allegiances may be stretched, with Myers having already jumped aboard the Bomber bandwagon.

“I am, or was, a Richmond supporter,” Myers said.

“Mum was always a mad Richmond supporter so I guess I was brainwashed growing up and didn’t have much choice in the matter but I guess everything will change now.”

In addition to his slick skills and football smarts, Myers astute character and mature demeanour is sure to be a welcome inclusion around the club. And, it can be almost guaranteed that Myers will be doing everything he can to give himself the best opportunity on and off the field.

“I don’t really have any specific goals for next year as of yet,” Myers said.

“It is all still sinking in for me but I just want to get stuck into it and get into training and do what is asked of me and hopefully I will get my chance as soon as possible.

“Whether it is this coming season or the next season, I just want to work hard and I will hopefully get the opportunity to play.”

http://essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5482

Sounds like a great bloke.

 

[Burzum]

congrats/thankyou for taking myers, he will be a good player, but honestly i can not believe you let palmer come to us. and i am stoked. palmer is a hell of a lot better. but you should still get good service from myers.

Care to explain how?

 

[marcuz]

Care to explain how?

Because his team drafted him.

 

[Burzum]

Because his team drafted him.

 

[Schmick]

Re: Myers thrilled to be a Bomber

http://essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5482

Sounds like a great bloke.

Im thrilled to have him playing for the Bombers

I doubt he'll ever feel homesick with all the WA boys we've got down here which is good.

 

[Merv]

Re: Myers thrilled to be a Bomber

“I just want to get stuck into it,” Myers said.

“It is all still sinking in for me but I just want to get stuck into it and get into training and do what is asked of me

“Whether it is this coming season or the next season, I just want to work hard and I will hopefully get the opportunity to play.”

....

 

[Merv]

Re: Myers thrilled to be a Bomber

Exciting AFL prospect David Myers has taken all before him this season.
The Perth colts’ captain was in slashing form in the beginning of the season and played a major part in the team’s early-season surge.

His form was rewarded with selection in the Western Australia under-18 squad which took all before them to win the National championships in Melbourne.

The 18-year-old, originally from Vic Park Junior Football Club, starred at the championships across half-back winning All-Australian selection along with a strong of other Western Australians. Myers possesses a potent left foot kick, can run, mark and has a terrific attitude towards training and hard work.

While it is unlikely Perth supporters will see Myers develop at EfTel Oval in the next decade, they have the chance to view him in the league team for the final five rounds of the season.
The Demons website spoke to Myers in the lead up to his second league game against West Perth.

1. What's it like being touted as a top-10 draft pick?

To be honest its all a bit surreal, playing AFL football has always been a dream of mine without me actually thinking it was ever going to happen, yet for it to potentially be just around the corner is very exciting, let alone being talked about as a top 10 pick. I try not to think about as nothing is certain, so I just look forward to each week and what my role is, and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.

2. How do you keep your focus for the rest of the season?
As I said before I just take each game as it comes and try to play to my potential and play good football for the club. There is no point thinking ahead to circumstances out of your hands, so my focus is kept on what I can control, and that’s my performance each week.

3. What are you hoping to get out of the last 5 games of the season?
I hope to play some more league football for Perth alongside some of my colts mates, and just get a better understanding of the intensity of senior footy.

4. What's your ideal position?
In colts I’ve played midfield all year and have loved the freedom to roam all over the ground and impact yet I do play a lot of my football off the half back flank at higher levels, which I enjoy.

5. What would be the ideal situation next year?
Everyone says it but I’d be happy to go anywhere just to get a chance. I suppose if I had a choice I wouldn’t mind playing footy in Victoria purely because of the atmosphere but staying home would be just as good.



http://www.perthdemons.com.au/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/362/ItemID/94/Default.aspx

 

[Burzum]

Re: Myers thrilled to be a Bomber

Nice to see he wanted to come to Vic.

 

[Sanj]

Did Mayers finish in the top 15 players for any of the testing in the Draft Camp?

Agility, Skuttle Run, Speed, Vertical leap etc? Does anybody have his results?

 

[Burzum]

Adrian Dodoro, Merv Keane and Matthew Knights interview up on Bomber TV.