BENDIGO Bank Pioneers’ forward Ariel Steinberg is headed to AFL club Essendon after he was drafted by the Bombers last night.Essendon used its second-round pick – No.31 overall – to select Steinberg, who is a Bombers’ supporter, as is the rest of his family.“I’m an Essendon boy, so I’m just so lucky to have the chance to go there,’’ an elated Steinberg told the Bendigo Advertiser.“But the real work starts now, so I’m looking forward to getting down there on Monday and really getting stuck into it.’’Steinberg’s selection at the AFL national draft, held on the Gold Coast, caps a remarkable journey for the 18-year-old from Mildura.He spent 2009 on exchange with his family in Canada and took up gridiron, playing with the Edmonton Chargers and McNally Tigers.Although Steinberg missed a crucial year of his football development while in Canada, he was able to maintain an association with the game as a co-coach of the Edmonton Emus Aussie Rules women’s team.After returning to Australia this year he started the season playing for Imperials in the Sunraysia Football League.He played 10 games for Imperials and booted 51 goals, which included eight hauls of five or more. His prodigious talent was on display for the SFL in its inter-league game in May when he booted seven goals against Western Border at Horsham in a brilliant display that caught the attention of the Pioneers.Steinberg, who stands at 191cm, spent the last eight rounds of the TAC Cup season with the Pioneers and won the club’s goalkicking with 22, including a bag of six against premiers Calder in round 11.“It has been a whirlwind year... just unbelievable, I wouldn’t change it at all,’’ Steinberg said.“I’m just so happy it has worked out the way it has and, hopefully, I get a good summer of training in.’’Among the first people to contact Steinberg last night from Essendon was new coach James Hird.“Hirdy and Matty Lloyd back in the day were my favourites, so it’s pretty surreal to think that when I was 10 I used to run around with an Essendon jumper on, and now I’ll get the chance to pull it on for real, so I can’t wait,’’ he said.AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan described Steinberg pre-draft as: “a tall forward, who is quick on the lead and has an excellent natural leap.’’