Essendon has selected the versatile Andrew McGrath with its number one pick in the National Draft.

McGrath is highly regarded for his leadership qualities and is viewed as a tough competitor, who is strong in the air and provides excellent rebound.

He co-captained Vic Metro to its division one under-18 title and was named an All-Australian defender.

McGrath also showed he could stand up in big games when he collected 38 possessions in Sandringham’s TAC Cup Grand Final win and at school he captained Brighton Grammar to another premiership.

“He’s an athlete with elite movement,” Essendon List and Recruiting Manager Adrian Dodoro said.

“He has the constitution to walk in and play AFL football next year, he can play midfield, he’s got a defensive mindset and he’s just a brilliant prototype for the modern game. 

“He speeds the game up, he’s got elite speed and he suits the modern game.”

McGrath rose through the draft rankings throughout the year.

He finished the season averaging 32 disposals (12 contested) and seven clearances in 10 games for the Dragons at 84 per cent efficiency.

His athletic profile also impressed recruiters at the Draft Combine where he came second in the repeat sprints test (24.44 seconds), top 10 in agility and running jumps, and was also a strong performer in the endurance tests (13.10 in the beep test and 10:42 in the 3km time trial). 

Throughout the year, McGrath demonstrated he could perform in a variety of positions across the ground.

“He is going to be a very good AFL player straight away,” Sandringham Dragons Talent Manager Ryan O’Connor told Inside Football.

“I think from very early on in the season his ability to impact games and influence games whether it was down back or in the midfield. 

“He just gets the job done.  Playing more time in the midfield and getting more confident in that role has just opened up and highlighted his attacking out of the backline.”