THEY are the Bombers’ two golden nuggets from last year’s draft.

While the spotlight has focused intensely on Essendon’s mature-age acquisitions Jon Giles, Adam Cooney and James Gwilt over summer, the youngsters plucked at picks No. 17 and No. 20 have also set tongues wagging at Tullamarine.

Not only did recruiting guru Adrian Dodoro rank 191cm forward Kyle Langford (No.17) and 190cm midfielder Jayden Laverde (20) inside the top-15 of his draft order, the two adapted quickly to preseason training, stacking on nine kilograms between them.

If the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal hands down a guilty verdict for the “Essendon 34” on Tuesday, the two excitement machines could quickly become the silver lining for Bombers’ fans in the early rounds.

Langford, a Jack Gunston-style mobile goalkicker, has already played three NAB Challenge games, despite being one of the youngest players taken in last year’s draft.

“When I step out on to the field, I don’t think about it (inexperience or age), I just try and hold my own and back in my work on the track,” Langford said.

“I really back my ability to get separation (on opponents), my agility, and my speed off the mark to allow myself to get a run and jump at the ball.

“They (opposition) don’t care of you are a younger player or not. They are there to smash you.”

For Laverde, who has been likened to a young Nathan Fyfe, playing at the club he supported as a child — only a 15-minute drive from his Keilor home — was a dream.

“It was pretty special knowing I was coming to Essendon because I have supported them my whole life and my whole family are Essendon supporters,” he said.

Laverde, who was crowned under-18 All-Australian last year, was bothered by sore groins early in the preseason, but has overcome the issue and is developing his inside game.

Langford said he wouldn’t forget Leverde’s highlights reel from last year’s APS Grand Final.

“He always took speccies on our midfielders, because we had a small midfield and he would always take all these high marks,” Langford said.

“Being up the other end, you would just see him flying for it, so he has got a few tricks, and a big leap.”