JOE DANIHER'S impending confirmation as an Essendon player is another massive boost for the club in the wake of their disastrous season.

The Bombers will nominate the 18-year-old forward at next Monday's father-son bidding meeting.

There is little doubt they will have to give up their first NAB AFL Draft pick at No.10, but he is worth it.

If Daniher went into the draft itself this November, he would probably be the first or second selection.

Apart from his ability, his name alone will excite long-time Essendon fans.

His father Anthony played 118 games for Essendon in a 233-AFL game career, and uncles Terry, Neale and Chris also played for the Bombers.

"It's massive for us - it's very rare you get yourself in a position to draft a player of his ability," Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said.

"We're extremely blessed to get him.

"We're chuffed, to have another Daniher on the list and have his family around the club again is just fantastic."

Essendon has had plenty of encouraging news since losing its last seven matches and crashing out of the top eight.

Captain Jobe Watson, also a father-son recruit, won the Brownlow Medal and on Monday the Bombers recruited two-time All Australian Brendon Goddard under free agency.

Watson's success emphasises the benefits of the father-son system and Essendon have helped with Daniher's player development for the last two years.

Daniher, an impressive personality, cannot wait to officially join the Bombers.

"I've been given a great opportunity by Essendon," he said on Wednesday at the NAB AFL Combine.

"I've been hanging around a couple of years, a bit of a fly on the wall, but hopefully I will get my chance at the start of pre-season and be right from the get-go."

One of Essendon's strengths is it has plenty of quality tall players and this means it can be patient with Daniher's progression to becoming an AFL player.

"I'm completely patient, I know it's not going to happen overnight," Daniher said.

"I will have to spend a lot of time in the gym, a lot of time on the track trying to build a fitness base.

"Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later."