ESSENDON has pinched exciting small forward Irving Mosquito from Hawthorn's grasp, securing the Hawks' next generation academy prospect with pick No.38 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.

Hawthorn had first priority on the NGA prospect under AFL rules, but decided to baulk at the price of bringing the raw small forward into its club.

The Hawks would have had to give up picks 49 and 91 to claim Mosquito and then would have got back No.72, however, they became the first club to pass on an NGA prospect this year.

Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro was clearly elated by how things played out, with host broadcaster Fox Footy showing vision of him pumping his fist once it was announced Hawthorn had passed on Mosquito.

An indigenous small forward with an electric turn of speed and savvy goal sense, Mosquito missed this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to injury.

However the livewire 175cm forward finished the season strongly for Gippsland Power, with his speed and evasiveness bringing 14 goals from 14 games – while averaging a tick under 13 disposals – in the TAC Cup this season.

Mosquito hails from Halls Creek, which is almost 700km inland of Broome in the Kimberly region of Western Australia.

He left for Victoria when he was just 11 years old, travelling with guardians Mick and Shane Roberts to Briagolong, in Gippsland (east of Melbourne), to further his education.

Mosquito trained with Hawthorn earlier in the year and had the chance to test himself against his hero and the player he models himself on – the retired Cyril Rioli.

Mosquito has earned comparisons to Rioli in that respect with his chasing and tackling pressure a key feature of his game. He also happens to be a left-footer with a penetrating kick.

More to come