Opinion Number 1 pick

[Runk]

Andrew McGrath; goes on to have an outstanding career, captains the club, becomes one of the top handful of mids in the league and is just an all around shit hot performer....

....but can't kick on his left.

Delist.

DO NOT try to rationalise that type of thinking. It'll drive you mad.

 

[brain taylor]

The only way we all come out of this as friends is for them to pick Setterfield

 

[Andronicus]

I'm getting more and more ok with the thought of getting Setterfield.

 

[Drummer_19]

This was the first post I saw when I opened the thread. No real need for me to keep on reading, i've seen all I need to. Embiid GOAT.

 

[Jade]

I'm getting more and more ok with the thought of getting Setterfield.

Kid will be a gun. No matter what happens, we walk away from this draft with one of McGrath, Setterfield, McCluggage, we should be pretty friggin happy with our lot.

 

[Lore]

I'm getting more and more ok with the thought of getting Setterfield.

Grew up supporting Essendon. 'Nuf said.

 

[Foxx]

Problem with bidding on Setterfield is not knowing if GWS will match the bid.
If they do then Mc or Mc will feel second fodder. And that wont be any good for anybody.

Imo Setterfield is the safest choice, his overall attributes outpoint the other two.
But Dodoro will have to take one of the Mcs.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Essendon is keeping the AFL world in the dark over who it will draft with No.1 pick

SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun
14 minutes ago
Subscriber only

ESSENDON has sworn its brains trust to secrecy after finally settling on which midfielder it will crown the club’s first ever No.1 draft pick.

The Bombers’ search recently narrowed to Will Setterfield, Hugh McCluggage or Andy McGrath and all three will enter Friday night’s draft unsure if they are about to become the game’s newest poster boy.

Essendon is unfazed at the prospect of being relegated to the No.2 pick should it choose Setterfield and Greater Western Sydney match the bid for its academy star.

That scenario would see Albury’s Setterfield become a Giant at No.1 and Essendon then claim McGrath or McCluggage.

Rivals, headed by GWS at pick two, are unsure of Essendon’s plans and will arrive at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion prepared for all three scenarios.

But Essendon footy chiefs have already inked the name of its No.1 in the future line-up they hope can challenge for the club’s 17th flag.

Will the Bombers take half-back Andy McGrath? Picture: Christopher Chan

In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun, list manager Adrian Dodoro revealed the Bombers’ age and games profile suggested they could become a force in two or three seasons.

The wooden-spooner’s forecast is based on forensic studies of proven premiership models.

The No.1 was chosen at a meeting inside Essendon’s “War Room” on Tuesday, although Dodoro warned it could still change.

“It’ll be final when the player walks in 100 per cent healthy and fit on the night,” he said.

“Out of respect for the game it’ll be kept in-house. We won’t be declaring who we’re taking.

Or will it be the smooth-moving Hugh McCluggage? Picture: Mark Stewart

“Only the list management team at the football club know the direction we’re heading, and it won’t be escaping that.

“The decision is really tight, it really is.”

Dodoro said the AFL was “rapt” with the mystery after a long history of leaks.

Coach John Worsfold helped eliminate concerns the 179cm McGrath would be too short to share an engine room with fellow smalls Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish.

“John had great midfielders in (Ben) Cousins and (Daniel) Kerr and (Michael) Braun and (Dean) Kemp at West Coast, who were around that 180cm as well,” Dodoro said.

Will Setterfield could be a No.1 pick bolter. Picture: Mark Stewart

The star recruiter said McGrath was an “elite athlete” who could “speed the game up” and a “brilliant prototype for the modern game”.

Dodoro praised McCluggage’s “classic football brain” and said his running patterns were “as good as any junior I have seen”.

The 189cm Setterfield battled injuries this season, but Dodoro said he boasted “enormous” scope.

“He’s a different type — he’s a taller mid, he can play forward, he plays inside and he’s got a huge engine,” Dodoro said.

Essendon will draft five players at picks 1, 20, 29, 41 and 67 and expect two to debut in 2017.

Former Bombers will then return through Monday’s rookie draft, where they hold three picks.

Essendon met its three No.1 prospects this month with chief executive Xavier Campbell and senior recruiter Merv Keane sitting in on Monday’s final interview with McCluggage.

 

[Bombers1234]

Not sure why people want Setterfield over the other two Mcs. Speedy inside mid and classy goal kicking mid are two areas we are sorely lacking in. Setterfield seems like a Heppell clone.

 

[Jivin Jackel]

Not sure why people want Setterfield over the other two Mcs. Speedy inside mid and classy goal kicking mid are two areas we are sorely lacking in. Setterfield seems like a Heppell clone.

Did you just answer your own question?

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Not sure why people want Setterfield over the other two Mcs. Speedy inside mid and classy goal kicking mid are two areas we are sorely lacking in. Setterfield seems like a Heppell clone.

Don't you know you draft best available don't worry what the team needs.

 

[Jade]

I'm shocked.

Shocked and outraged.

 

[eDPS]

 

[The Donners]

Problem with bidding on Setterfield is not knowing if GWS will match the bid.
If they do then Mc or Mc will feel second fodder. And that wont be any good for anybody.

Imo Setterfield is the safest choice, his overall attributes outpoint the other two.
But Dodoro will have to take one of the Mcs.

Disagree. They'll be over the moon they're selected at all, no matter where they're selected.

Mc "why didn't you pick me first?"

Dodo "wanted GWS to use points"

Mc "only joking, I don't give a shit, go Bombers!!!"

 

[Knighta21]

Can't we all agree that whoever we pick will be the best player

 

[DERO]

So. Have we drafted OOO AAAH yet?

 

[scanlon]

Is there any other way to watch the draft without FoxFooty?

 

[Zedtron]

Essendon won't pick Setterfield; they are recruiting him two years in advance, think Hawks and O'Meara. They will bide their time knowing Setterfield will be stuck in the NEAFL (no need to name GWS midfield depth) for the good part of 2 years developing. Once his contract is up Bombers will be waiting with open arms, having already introduced him to key figures and the facilities during his draft year. Setterfield will be a Don in 2019.

Oh and McGrath will be pick 1, due to his speed, athleticism and character

 

[PeaTea]

I was always on the MCC train.
The longer this goes the more I'm leaning towards MCG

 

[Foxx]

Is there any other way to watch the draft without FoxFooty?

Afl app or get the free trial Foxtel Play. As long as you have an internet device eg Xbox, DVD bluray. Then cancel before susscription starts.

 

[citizen-erased]

Essendon won't pick Setterfield; they are recruiting him two years in advance, think Hawks and O'Meara. They will bide their time knowing Setterfield will be stuck in the NEAFL (no need to name GWS midfield depth) for the good part of 2 years developing. Once his contract is up Bombers will be waiting with open arms, having already introduced him to key figures and the facilities during his draft year. Setterfield will be a Don in 2019.

Oh and McGrath will be pick 1, due to his speed, athleticism and character

2018. why delay it.

 

[Rack Watts]

Both Brett Anderson and Cal Twombat have us taking McGrath.

 

[Zedtron]

2018. why delay it.

Ok, if you are going to get technical, he will be at the club late 2018 and will be actually playing in 2019, after his initial 2-year contract with GWS is up

 

[Laverde2Smack]

So it seems McCluggage is our boy. I'm a bit surprised as I thought McGrath had moved into favoritism but the strong word is that Hugh is going at number 1.

 

[Lore]

So it seems McCluggage is our boy. I'm a bit surprised as I thought McGrath had moved into favoritism but the strong word is that Hugh is going at number 1.

Well at least he has two feet. Or something.