Exciting Irish talent Conor McKenna will join Essendon after impressing at AFL Draft Combine

THE sanctions Essendon copped in the fallout from its drugs saga led it to uncovering one of the most sought-after Irish talents.

Irish AFL hopefuls Conor McKenna and Paddy Brophy before this weeks AFL Draft Combine. Pic: Michael Klein

THE draft sanctions Essendon copped in the fallout from its drugs saga led the Bombers to uncovering one of the most sought-after Irish talents, which they signed on Friday.

The Dons have secured Conor McKenna after becoming the first club to identify him at a draft combine in Ireland last December.

List manager Adrian Dodoro said the penalties — the Bombers lost their first two picks in the 2013-14 drafts — forced Essendon to explore innovative talent pathways.

“When we got the draft sanctions last year we looked outside the square and decided we needed to find players from elsewhere,” Dodoro said.

Conor McKenna competes at the AFL Draft Combine.

“So we put some resources into the international market. We feel it has put us back in the draft and given us an opportunity to put some quality talent on our list.”

McKenna trained briefly with West Coast and spoke to Geelong and Western Bulldogs but chose the Bombers — aware of the scandal which continues to engulf the club — after their immediate honesty on the turmoil.

The Bombers also nominated Jake Long, son of Michael, as a father-son rookie selection.

Dodoro said McKenna, 18, would develop into a midfielder, praising his speed, endurance and resilience.

Conor McKenna participates in the agility test during the AFL Draft Combine.

Irish superstar Tadhg Kennelly said McKenna recently came within a whisker of breaking Stephen Hill’s agility record, while the Gaelic prodigy recorded a 2.93sec 20m sprint at this week’s draft combine at Etihad Stadium.

McKenna also finished eighth in the repeated sprints, underlining his acceleration.

Dodoro said McKenna’s debut — he booted 4.3 against the Australian Under-18s in March — showed he had “a lot of ticker”.

Kennelly praised the 182cm talent’s skills and McKenna was signed as a Category B rookie, meaning his salary will sit outside the cap unless he is upgraded and plays AFL games.

Geelong last month signed 204cm Irishman Padraig Lucey after he was delisted from The Recruit, while Paddy Brophy is also a chance to find an AFL home.

The 188cm Brophy won the clean hands test at the combine, chalked up the same blistering 20m sprint time as McKenna and finished equal third in the goalkicking test.

On Friday, Sydney academy player Jack Hiscox beat Josh Kelly’s 3km time trial record, clocking 9min17sec.