This would ensure that Essendon would have the first choice of the 16-year-olds in the compensation draft. Officially Todd Ridley was recruited as the uncontracted player, with Tony Delaney and Dale Kickett being traded for later picks.
Essendon would have first pick in selecting players from the draft of 16-year-olds.  Todd Ridley was signed as a free agent, while Tony Delaney and Dale Kickett were exchanged for future draft selections.