GWS Giants want Essendon’s No.1 pick to secure Vic Metro defender Andy McGrath

GREATER Western Sydney could make a bold bid for Essendon’s No.1 draft pick as the Giants zero in on a replacement for Heath Shaw.

National under-18 championships matches at Etihad Stadium: Vic Metro V Allies. Vic Metro captain Andy McGrath. Picture: Mark Stewart

GREATER Western Sydney could make a bold bid for Essendon’s No.1 draft pick as the Giants zero in on a replacement for Heath Shaw.

The Herald Sun understands the burgeoning club wants to rise up the order to help secure gun halfback Andy McGrath.

The Brighton Grammar school captain won 14 disposals in the final quarter last week to propel Sandringham Dragons into Sunday’s TAC Cup grand final.

McGrath, 18, plays in the mould of Western Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen and met the Giants last month.

Shaw, 31 in November, has won All-Australian honours the past two seasons and is contracted until 2018.

Recruiters believe that when Shaw retires McGrath could seamlessly fill the void.

The Bombers on Thursday confirmed they would trade the No.1 pick for the right price.

The Giants want the No.1 pick to secrue Andy McGrath. Picture: Mark Stewart

Should the Giants and Geelong win preliminary finals, they will boast draft picks seven, 17 and 18.

They will also ask Carlton for the No.5 pick in exchange for Caleb Marchbank and possibly James Stewart.

Dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd said 20 Giants from their qualifying final could become All-Australians.

“I’ve never seen a team like that before,” Judd said.

“We’ll look back on this team in 10 years and say we’ve never seen a team with that much talent.”

Fears are growing that the AFL has giftwrapped the Giants a long tilt at premierships with generous start-up concessions.

The Giants will host a preliminary final against the Dogs on Saturday night in the club’s 112th game.

Rivals suggested that if the Giants package McGrath with academy guns Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman and Harrison Macreadie they would “again win the draft”.

They are also expected to bank future draft picks so to help secure their 2017 academy crop, led by key forward Jarrod Brander, Charlie Spargo and Jack Powell.

Fringe players Marchbank, Stewart, Jack Steele and Will Hoskin-Elliott could all be traded next month to help stockpile draft points.

Will Setterfield (right) in action for the Allies against Vic Metro in the under-18 championships. Picture: Mark Stewart

Clubs desperately want the AFL to strip GWS of access to the Riverina as part of its rich talent academy zone.

The Giants are likely to talk to the Bombers, Brisbane Lions and Fremantle to help land McGrath.

They could ask the Dockers to include the No.3 pick in a deal for West Australian goalkicker Cam McCarthy.

Dragons talent manager Ryan O’Connor said McGrath was a “great player and great person”.

“The bigger the game, the better Andy seems to play,” O’Connor said.

“He doesn’t seem overawed with doing a job or generating run.”

The 180cm All-Australian and national 400m hurdles champion starred as Vic Metro captain this year.

“It was ‘pick me, pick me’ stuff,” AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

“He ran the lines, took risks and took sensational marks backing into packs.”

Originally published as GWS Giants want Essendon’s No.1 pick to secure Vic Metro defender Andy McGrath