Aussie Rules side Essendon are confident that Longford minor star Michael Quinn will make a big impact in the code after he signed for the club in recent weeks. Quinn will work closely with assistant coach Alan Richardson, who played a key role in Down native Martin Clarke's transformation into a top-class Aussie Rules player with Collingwood. Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said Quinn has the attributes to be a success in the AFL. "He is very athletic and we were impressed with his physical ability and good attitude," he said in a statement released by the club. "Michael is very keen to learn and hungry to succeed so we think that gives him a good chance to play AFL football for Essendon. "The big issue for him and all Irish recruits is his skill level, particularly his kicking, so we will need to put plenty of work into that area. "Also, Gaelic football doesn't require the tackling skills that are so important in AFL so he will have to learn to lay a strong tackle and break tackles from opponents." Dodoro added that Quinn will be involved in full training from January in the hope of playing at half-back for VFL affiliate Bendigo. Quinn, who will turn 19 in January, believes his speed and skills in Gaelic football will hold him in good stead, but is aware of the work that awaits him if he is to play at the elite level. "Probably ball skills is the main thing to work on but when you work on that you can't forget your fitness and you can't forget that you have to bulk up a bit so you have to keep all three going at the same time to progress," he said. "It was a big decision to move but something I always wanted to do was play professional football so I jumped at the chance." Tweet

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