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.
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. The similarities don’t end with the club and positions they play, either.
“Ethan’s an A-plus type of character,” Rebels talent operations lead Brooke Brown told The Age.
“He’s the most beautiful individual, both on and off the field, in regards to how he’s interacted with all the Rebels staff, players and families. This kid couldn’t get into trouble if he tried.
“I worked with Hugh McCluggage when he was at the Rebels, and I see so many Hugh McCluggage traits [in Drever]. Nothing fazes him, and he just gets on with the job. As a leader, he’s not boisterous or in your face. He leads by example and by skill.”
McCluggage joined Harris Andrews and Josh Dunkley as a Brisbane Lions co-captain this past season after long being highly regarded for his leadership, standard-setting and emotional intelligence.
Another commonality between the Rebels graduates is that they can both seriously play, although Drever’s smooth-moving playing style and ability to impact the game inside and outside the contest is most often likened to GWS star Finn Callaghan.
Drever honed in on Callaghan when those comparisons started flooding in, but also closely studied McCluggage, Hawk Will Day and Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson.
“I want to be a powerful player,” Drever said. “I love running out the front of the stoppage and being attacking, but I’d also love to be [known as] a two-way runner and really good defensive midfielder.”
The defensive side of Drever’s game was not a strength in the early part of his Rebels tenure, according to Brown, but he quickly changed that and has a reputation as a quick learner.
He is a great athlete, too, which was rammed home at the draft combine, where he finished fifth in the 20-metre sprint and top 10 in both vertical jump tests.
After spending much of the previous two seasons across halfback and on a wing, Rebels coach David “Deeks” Loader unleashed Drever – as promised – through the midfield with great effect in 2026. He averaged 28 disposals, 14 contested possessions and seven clearances.
The 18-year-old won Vic Country’s MVP award at this year’s AFL under-18 championships, was an All-Australian, made the Talent League’s team of the year, and claimed the Rebels’ best-and-fairest award.
“‘Deeks’ put me at half-back in my bottom-age 18s season, just to start my Rebels journey, which was really good, but this year I was always going to move into the middle,” he said.
“He just wanted me to get used to the speed of the game, and I think it really helped me.”
Drever is now viewed as the prototypical big-bodied midfielder for the modern game, but it was not that long ago that he was a more modest 178 centimetres and regularly being blocked at the rim in his previous sporting life as a basketballer.
The Rebels don’t have their own resident gym like some other Talent League clubs, but he has also taken it upon himself to become more physically imposing.
“It’s made a big difference. Being a bit taller, and putting on some size helps so much with my power and confidence as well,” Drever said.
“Having that confidence is massive because you know you can take a hit and not be afraid to get tackled as you’re coming out of a stoppage. I think confidence is a huge part of sport – mentally and physically – and it’s something I’ve tried to really improve.”
The rebuilding Bombers used first-round picks last year on Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow and Dyson Sharp, who could all end up part of a new-look on-ball brigade.
Drever’s skillset – if they draft him – would complement that group. He ticks numerous boxes for what Essendon need, and even comes from a family of Bomber diehards.
“I’ve heard they’ve got a bit of interest, which is pretty cool, and it’s awesome to be in consideration,” Drever said. “My whole family’s excited about that because they’re all Essendon supporters.”