Essendon has passed at the opportunity at picking up former St. Kilda All-Australian skipper Luke Ball in Thursday night’s 2009 AFL National Draft instead picking up three TAC Cup teammates and a West Australian

Selection #10 – Jake Melksham

Height: 182cm
Weight: 69kg
DOB: 29/8/91
Recruited from: PEGS/Calder Cannons
Bio: Well balanced with tremendous ball winning ability. Strong and hard at stoppages with clean skills by hand and foot. Can play both inside and outside. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009. Won TAC Cup medal for Best on Ground in the Grand Final at Etihad Stadium. Averaged 18 disposals in 10 matches for Calder. Very impressive at Draft Camp with 2.99secs for 20m, 8.16secs for agility (top 12 per cent) and at 14.5 beep test. AIS/AFL Academy graduate.

Selection #24 – Jake Carlisle

Height: 196cm
Weight: 83kg
DOB: 01/10/91
Recruited from: Craigieburn/Calder Cannons
Bio: Tall forward or defender who can play a variety of roles effectively. Strong hands, nice foot skills and an ability to read the play well, each highlights of his game. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009. Averaged 17 possessions and seven marks in TAC Cup this year. Restricted at Draft Camp with a back injury but his vertical leap of 67cm was an indication of his spring (top 24 per cent).

Selection #26 – Travis Colyer

Height: 175cm
Weight: 73kg
DOB: 24/8/91
Recruited from: Trinity College/Claremont
Bio: Attacking midfielder with a good turn of speed and tremendous poise in traffic. Strong performer for WA at NAB AFL U18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours. His 2.96sec for 20m and 14.5 beep test at Draft Camp highlighted his speed/endurance combination.

Selection #33 – Anthony Long

Height: 186cm
Weight: 70kg
DOB: 06/01/91
Recruited from: St Mary’s
Bio: Skilful running defender with great ability to move through traffic. Agility, recovery and vertical leap are all impressive – 3secs for 20m at Draft Camp, 8.37secs for agility (top 33 per cent) and 70cm running vertical jump (top 30 per cent).

With the departure of Adam McPhee, the Bombers will have one selection in the AFL Pre-Season Draft on December 15.