AFL Draft 2014: Jayden Laverde joins Essendon, wants to play like Nat Fyfe Essendon draft pick Jayden Laverde has modelled his game on Nat Fyfe. ESSENDON excitement machine Jayden Laverde has modelled his dynamic midfield game on Fremantle star Nathan Fyfe. Laverde provided one of the biggest twists of Thursday night's national draft when the 189cm utility fell to pick No. 20 for the Bombers, the club he has supported since he was a child. Laverde's size and sidestep, and ability to pluck marks overhead made him a target for Collingwood at pick No. 5 and an agonising decision for West Coast to leave at pick No. Laverde said it was a thrill to land at the Bombers, whose Tullamarine training base is only 10-minute drive from his Keilor Downs home. He has already completed some running sessions with Essendon defender and friend Cale Hooker in recent weeks, hoping his Bombers dream would be realised. "I'm absolutely stoked, it's the team I've loved my whole life," Laverde said. It was a bait of a shock, but I'm very excited about what's to come. I watched Hirdy back in the day and now he is coaching me. The Bombers were intent on adding to their outside midfield and marking options, having also taken 190cm mobile forward-midfielder Kyle Langford at No. Laverde, who has Italian grandparents, said he had spent the season watching Fremantle dual best and fairest winner Fyfe. Jayden Laverde was picked by Essendon with selection 30. Picture: Justine Walker (AFL Media) Source: Supplied "This year I've liked to watch Nathan Fyfe, just trying to play like him and play though the midfield and take a big grab," he said. It's something I model my game on. Hird said he was surprised Laverde was still available for their second selection. "Both of them can win the footy, kick the ball in all sorts of situations," Hird said. We needed some talent on the outside and we got that. That speed and skill. But we still want them to win their own footy and play inside when they need to.