Such is the talent available at the pointy end of this year’s National Draft, afl.com.au’s draft expert Callum Twomey says the Bombers can’t go wrong.

After selecting blue-chip talents Darcy Parish and Aaron Francis with the fifth and sixth picks in last year’s draft, Essendon will arrive in Sydney next week armed with the prized number one selection for the first time in its history.

“There is some good talent available, some really good talent.  There is a really good top five or six players this year,” Twomey said.

“It stacks up really well compared to recent years.  You look at the names who are around that mark - Andy McGrath, Hugh McCluggage, Ben Ainsworth, Will Setterfield has been linked as a possible top five pick too.

“There are some really good names available and I think whoever the Bombers do go with, they can’t really go wrong.”

While Ainsworth – a small forward who is strong in the air – and Setterfield – a 191cm GWS Academy prospect who plays through the midfield – wouldn’t be out of place if their name was called out first, Twomey expects the Bombers to decide between McGrath and McCluggage.

McGrath averaged 32 disposals (12 contested) at 84 per cent efficiency and seven clearances in 10 games for the premiership winning Sandringham Dragons.

His leadership qualities and versatility are also highly regarded.

“I think he’s surprised everyone.  He’s a smaller type, he’s about 177cm … but he’s very reminiscent to some recruiters to Gavin Wanganeen,” Twomey said.

“He’s exuberant, he’s exciting off half back, he’s reliable with the ball in hand and he’s quick – he ran a 10.95sec 100m sprint at school level not so long ago.

“He’s had an outstanding season.  He was a big part of the Sandringham Dragons premiership side, he captained Brighton Grammar to their flag and also captained Vic Metro to their Division One championship.”

Like McGrath, McCluggage has rocketed up the draft board this season. 

He averaged 27 disposals and six clearances in 12 games, and booted 25 goals for the North Ballarat Rebels. 

McCluggage moved from Warrnambool to Ballarat two years ago and the midfielder is seen as classy, composed and calm.

“This time last year Hugh McCluggage had just been added to the NAB AFL Academy squad and not many people had taken too much notice of him,” Twomey said. 

“He’s a goal kicking midfielder which probably sets him apart from the other players at the top of the pool.  He kicked 25 goals in 12 games for the Rebels this year.  He won the Morrish Medal and was outstanding for the TAC Cup side.  He was MVP for Vic Country at the National Championships.

“I think he’ll start his AFL career at half forward or on a wing and eventually as he develops his frame he’ll be that inside and outside midfielder.

“He’s so composed, he sets up the play not only with his hands but his feet as well.

“He doesn’t do much wrong and from round one right through until his final game, he was one of the best players on the field most times.” 

Twomey said the unique qualities offered by McCluggage gives him a slight edge over the rest of the talent available.

“I’d probably go towards McCluggage just because I think it has been a while since the Bombers have had a really quality goal kicking midfielder,” Twomey said.

“They are so rare and hard to find.

“If you can find a player who can get you 25 touches and two goals per game, that’s pretty hard to surpass. 

“You either have the defensive midfielder in McGrath or you have the attacking midfielder in McCluggage.

“One of them I think ends up at the Bombers and either way they end up with a really good player who you would think down the track would be in their leadership group and a star of the competition.”

Stay across essendonfc.com.au as Callum Twomey takes a look at the Bombers later picks.