When Hawthorn passed on the opportunity to recruit Irving Mosquito, Essendon’s head recruiter Adrian Dodoro pumped his fist.

The so-called Cyril Rioli clone had landed at the Bombers.

This was despite Mosquito being linked to Hawthorn through its Next Generation Academy.

It was widely tipped the Hall Creek product would don the brown and gold next season, particularly given Rioli’s sudden retirement.

Finals Week 1

But Hawthorn’s footy boss Graham Wright has explained the reason Hawthorn passed up on the opportunity to draft Mosquito.

“It’s always difficult because we’ve had him a part of what we’re doing here for a couple of years, Wright told SEN’s Whateley.

“But in any academy or father-son bidding, they need to sit in a talent order and it’s all about where they’re bid and how many players you may have in front of them.

Irving Mosquito in action for Vic Country. Source: Supplied

“We had too many players that we rated ahead of him, so to match the bid would’ve potentially affected our pick for next year and potentially would’ve forced that pick into the mid-30s.

“We decided beforehand that if he was bid on there we wouldn’t match the bid so we wish him well.

“He’s got a fair bit to do development wise, but I’m sure Essendon will look after him.

“From our perspective we need to take the emotion out of it and make a business decision.”

The Bombers forced Hawthorn’s hand when they bid on Mosquito with Pick 38.

And while the club has been quick to play down the forward’s potential, Dodoro was ecstatic to land his man.

“He’s an exciting talent,” Dodoro said.

“I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s going to take a bit of time, and we know that.

“He’ll do Year 12 next year so there’s no expectations as to what he’ll do next year, but I think in the future we’ll have a pretty exciting player on our hands.”