Essendon's Andrew McGrath has won the AFL’s Rising Star award, the Ron Evans medal.

The number one draft pick follows in the footsteps of his Captain, Dyson Heppell, who won the award in 2011.

McGrath polled 51 votes to finish ahead of Ryan Burton (41 votes), Sam Powell-Pepper (35 votes), Charlie Curnow (27 votes) and Eric Hipwood (six votes).

Throughout 2017 McGrath has spent the majority of his first season in the game in defence, though he has also been used in the midfield in recent weeks.

The composure that saw him excel at underage level has been ever-present.

McGrath’s list of opponents throughout the season has included Eddie Betts, Jamie Elliott, Dayne Zorko, Luke Breust, Cyril Rioli, Steven Motlop and Robbie Gray.

He kept Betts goalless for only the second time in the Adelaide star’s last 33 games, while also collecting 25 possessions himself.

McGrath's averaged 20 possessions per game, four marks and three tackles.