A decade after Essendon overlooked future All-Australian Hugh McCluggage for Andy McGrath, the Bombers have the chance for a do-over-of-sorts.
asserted
Bombers → overlook → sorts
Next month’s draft marks the first time since that 2016 edition that Essendon will have the No.1 pick, which they have privately committed to using on Port Adelaide’s academy prodigy Dougie Cochrane.
asserted
they → mark → Cochrane
The Power will match the Bombers’ bid on Cochrane – this year’s consensus best prospect –
asserted
Power → match → Cochrane
They could place another bid on Carlton’s father-son gun Cody Walker, but the expectation is they will select someone not linked to another club.
uncertain
they → place → club
Like McCluggage, Drever came through the GWV Rebels program and has emerged as one of the outstanding options at the pointy end of the draft.
asserted
Drever → come → draft
The similarities don’t end with the club and positions they play, either.
asserted
they → end → club
“Ethan’s an A-plus type of character,” Rebels talent operations lead Brooke Brown told The Age.
asserted
Brown → ’ → Age
“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.
asserted
he → ’ → staff
This kid couldn’t get into trouble if he tried.
asserted
he → get → trouble
“I worked with Hugh McCluggage when he was at the Rebels, and I see so many Hugh McCluggage traits [in Drever].
asserted
I → work → Drever
Nothing fazes him, and he just gets on with the job.
asserted
he → faze → job
As a leader, he’s not boisterous or in your face.
asserted
he → ’ → face
He leads by example and by skill.”
asserted
He → lead → skill
McCluggage joined Harris Andrews and Josh Dunkley as a Brisbane Lions co-captain this past season after long being highly regarded for his leadership, standard-setting and emotional intelligence.
asserted
McCluggage → join → leadership
Another commonality between the Rebels graduates is that they can both seriously play, although Drever’s smooth-moving playing style and ability to impact the game inside and outside the contest is most often likened to GWS star Finn Callaghan.
asserted
style → play → Callaghan
Drever honed in on Callaghan when those comparisons started flooding in, but also closely studied McCluggage, Hawk Will Day and Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson.
asserted
comparisons → hone → McCluggage
“I want to be a powerful player,” Drever said.
asserted
Drever → want → ?
“I love running out the front of the stoppage and being attacking, but I’d also love to be [known as] a two-way runner and really good defensive midfielder.”
asserted
I → love → runner
The defensive side of Drever’s game was not a strength in the early part of his Rebels tenure, according to Brown, but he quickly changed that and has a reputation as a quick learner.
uncertain
he → accord → learner
He is a great athlete, too, which was rammed home at the draft combine, where he finished fifth in the 20-metre sprint and top 10 in both vertical jump tests.
asserted
he → ram → tests
After spending much of the previous two seasons across halfback and on a wing, Rebels coach David “Deeks” Loader unleashed Drever – as promised – through the midfield with great effect in 2026.
asserted
Loader → spend → 2026
He averaged 28 disposals, 14 contested possessions and seven clearances.
asserted
He → average → disposals
The 18-year-old won Vic Country’s MVP award at this year’s AFL under-18 championships, was an All-Australian, made the Talent League’s team of the year, and claimed the Rebels’ best-and-fairest award.
“‘Deeks’ put me at half-back in my bottom-age 18s season, just to start my Rebels journey, which was really good, but this year I was always going to move into the middle,” he said.
“He just wanted me to get used to the speed of the game, and I think it really helped me.”
Drever is now viewed as the prototypical big-bodied midfielder for the modern game, but it was not that long ago that he was a more modest 178 centimetres and regularly being blocked at the rim in his previous sporting life as a basketballer.
The Rebels don’t have their own resident gym like some other Talent League clubs, but he has also taken it upon himself to become more physically imposing.
“It’s made a big difference.
asserted
It → win → difference
Being a bit taller, and putting on some size helps so much with my power and confidence as well,” Drever said.
asserted
Drever → put → power
“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.
asserted
you → have → stoppage
I think confidence is a huge part of sport – mentally and physically – and it’s something I’ve tried to really improve.”
asserted
I → think → sport
The rebuilding Bombers used first-round picks last year on Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow and Dyson Sharp, who could all end up part of a new-look on-ball brigade.
uncertain
who → rebuild → brigade
Drever’s skillset – if they draft him – would complement that group.
asserted
they → draft → group
He ticks numerous boxes for what Essendon need, and even comes from a family of Bomber diehards.
asserted
Essendon → tick → diehards
“I’ve heard they’ve got a bit of interest, which is pretty cool, and it’s awesome to be in consideration,” Drever said.
asserted
Drever → hear → consideration
“My whole family’s excited about that because they’re all Essendon supporters.”
asserted
they → ’ → that
The Aporia
