Rival clubs have approached Essendon about trading for its number one pick, but List and Recruiting Manager Adrian Dodoro expects the Bombers to hold on to the prize selection.

After landing Darcy Parish and Aaron Francis with its first two selections last year, Essendon enters the upcoming trade period with the number one pick in its possession for the first time.

Dodoro told Trade Radio a number of clubs had spoken to him about the first pick, but no formal offers had been tabled.

“Some clubs are bit more forthright and some other clubs are just fishing,” he said. 

“No one has actually offered us anything.

“We’re speaking to clubs at the present time but if I was a betting man I’d say we retain our draft pick.

“You’ve got to look at everything but I like the fact we’ve got a really good pick and we’ve got an opportunity to bring in a very good player.

“We’ve brought in some great talent in the last couple of years with Parish, Francis, Laverde, Langford, Fantasia, McDonald-Tipungwuti and to add another ‘A-grade’ player via the draft would be fantastic for the Club.”

AFL Academy Coach Brenton Sanderson said he sees five players (Will Brodie, Hugh McCluggage, Jack Bowes, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Andrew McGrath) as worthy of the number one section.

Dodoro said he has two or three potential options in mind but there will also be talent available later in the draft.

“We’re a Club that loves going to the draft,” he said.

“We believe in the draft process and to have pick one for the first time in the Club’s history, we think we’re in a pretty good position.

“I think it’s a good draft and I think the first couple of players in this draft - and there is a couple of Academy boys - are very, very elite talent.

“We’ll target a midfielder because they’re the ones that are presenting at the moment as being in that elite bracket.

“I don’t think there is a clear one … I think there is two or three you would seriously consider.

“It’s got depth all the way through – there will be clubs picking players in the 50’s this year and being really happy with the quality of the player.

“We think we’ve got a really strong hand and it’s great for the Club.”