Essendon Performance Coach Guy McKenna has likened Andrew McGrath’s first season impact to that of former Sun Jaeger O’Meara.

McGrath has played 18 games so far this season and is averaging close to 20 possessions per match.

O’Meara burst on to the scene as a member of McKenna’s Gold Coast midfield in 2013. 

He played every match, averaged 22 possessions and won the AFL’s Rising Star award.

McKenna said McGrath’s contribution this year has been of a similar standard.

“He wouldn’t be far off Jaeger,” McKenna told The Footy Panel.

“His (O'Meara's) first year was when we stopped winning three games and started winning eight and ten games … it was more when we were able to start playing ‘adult’ football.

“Jaeger was a big part of that.

“Our counter attack off the backline for us this year – Andy has started a lot of that, Conor McKenna has done a bit of that and some of the other defenders too. 

“Pigeon has done a fair amount of that heavy lifting and the counter attacking by hand and by foot off half back.

“He’s not far behind Jaeger that’s for sure.”

McGrath restricted Crows forward Eddie Betts to just seven possessions and one behind last Saturday, despite the Dons conceding 62 inside 50s.

“For a first year player to be given arguably the best small forward in the competition over the last couple of seasons – it was a fantastic job,” McKenna said.

“He defends really well but also gets in the game offensively for us.” 

But McGrath’s time in defence may be limited with McKenna forecasting a move into the midfield over the pre-season.

“We know he can play in the midfield, leg speed is something we need around the midfield, (and) he makes very good decisions,” McKenna said.

“Ideally he’ll spend the summer in the midfield group and then start to play more in the midfield.”