Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro says 2018 AFL draft pool stacked with talent

ESSENDON list boss Adrian Dodoro has done nothing to douse the hype surrounding this year’s crop of draft talent, saying the 2018 pool looms very much the ‘super’ draft many have predicted.

Izak Rankine bursts away for South Australia last year. Pic: Getty Images

ESSENDON list boss Adrian Dodoro has done nothing to douse the hype surrounding this year’s crop of draft talent, saying the 2018 pool looms very much the ‘super’ draft many have predicted.

Dodoro was all smiles on Saturday as he watched new recruits Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad impress in the Bombers’ scratch match on Saturday.

But the veteran list manager said he was just as pleased with the Bombers managing to retain their first-round draft pick this year as he was their recruiting haul.

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And this year’s draft, he says, is one clubs are eagerly eyeing.

“It’s going to be great,” Dodoro said of the looming talent in this year’s draft.

“I think there’s something for everyone.

Jack Lukosius looms as top-three pick in the 2018 national draft. Picture Roger Wyman

Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro.

“There’s always guys that will come through and evolve during the course of the year but, you know, a lot of people, a lot of good judges, say that the best three players in the talent pool last year were three young men who weren’t even in the draft.”

Dodoro was speaking of SA pair Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine (West Adelaide), along with WA speedster Ian Hill, who have AFL recruiters salivating after superb displays at last year’s national championships.

And Dodoro said the talent didn’t stop there.

The Bombers wouldn’t mind seeing West Adelaide young gun Izak Rankine in these colours down the track. Pic: AAP

“I reckon they (Lukosius, Rankine and Hill) would have gone 1, 2, 3 (in last year’s draft) without a doubt,” Dodoro said on essendonfc.com.au.

“They’re sitting there this year with the King twins (Max and Ben) and there’s a few other boys that are (looking great).

“(Essendon recruiting manager) Merv (Keane) went over to the States (to the AIS camp) and came back here and reported that it’s a great crop.

“That’s why it was important form us to retain our first pick.”