Essendon has privately committed to using the No.1 pick in next month's AFL draft on Port Adelaide academy prospect Dougie Cochrane, and Ballarat midfielder Ethan Drever looms as the player the Bombers could take with their next selection.
The draft will be the first since 2016 in which Essendon holds the top pick, a decade after the club overlooked future All-Australian Hugh McCluggage to select Andy McGrath. Port Adelaide is expected to match the Bombers' bid on Cochrane, this year's consensus best prospect, leaving Essendon to weigh a bid on Carlton father-son Cody Walker or a player not linked to another club. Drever, a 188-centimetre midfielder from the GWV Rebels, may be that player.
Drever has drawn comparisons to McCluggage, who also came through the Rebels program. Rebels talent operations lead Brooke Brown said: “Ethan's an A-plus type of character. 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.”
Drever's playing style is more often likened to GWS midfielder Finn Callaghan. He said he wants to be a powerful player who runs out the front of stoppages, and would like to be known as a two-way runner and strong defensive midfielder. He spent much of the previous two seasons across halfback and on a wing before Rebels coach David “Deeks” Loader moved him into the midfield in 2026, where he averaged 28 disposals, 14 contested possessions and seven clearances. At the draft combine he finished fifth in the 20-metre sprint and top 10 in both vertical jump tests. The 18-year-old won Vic Country's MVP award at the under-18 championships, was named All-Australian, made the Talent League team of the year and won the Rebels' best-and-fairest.
A former basketballer who has grown from 178 centimetres, Drever said adding height and size had made a big difference to his power and confidence. “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,” he said.
Essendon used first-round picks last year on Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow and Dyson Sharp, and Drever's skillset would complement that emerging group. He also comes from a family of Essendon supporters. “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.”