October 26, 2026 — 5:00am

A decade after Essendon overlooked future All-Australian Hugh McCluggage for Andy McGrath, the Bombers have the chance for a do-over-of-sorts.

Next month’s draft marks the first time since that 2016 edition that Essendon will have the No.1 pick, which they have privately committed to using on Port Adelaide’s academy prodigy Dougie Cochrane .

Ethan Drever could be the No.2 pick in next month’s AFL draft. AFL Photos

The Power will match the Bombers’ bid on Cochrane – this year’s consensus best prospect – but what Essendon do next is the fascinating part.

They could place another bid on Carlton’s father-son gun Cody Walker, but the expectation is they will select someone not linked to another club. Ethan Drever, a 188-centimetre midfielder from Ballarat, may be that player.

Like McCluggage, Drever came through the GWV Rebels program and has emerged as one of the outstanding options at the pointy end of the draft.…