Cody Brand learnt his craft from Dustin Fletcher, hopes to become a Bomber

Bombers fans will be pleased to know one of this year’s best AFL draft defenders is tied to Essendon — and he’s learnt from one of their greats.

One of the best defenders available in this year’s draft, Cody Brand has learnt from the best.

The Calder Cannons youngster has had arguably the best full-back of the modern age in his corner, Dustin Fletcher.

An Essendon supporter growing up, Brand models his game on Fletcher and had the 400-game, future Hall of Fame great as his backline coach at Penleigh Essendon Grammar.

“It’s hard to go past Dustin Fletcher, I watched him a lot growing up and learning off him at PEGS,” Brand said.

“I like to take parts of different players, I really like the way Jeremy McGovern goes about his footy, but the main idol is definitely Dustin Fletcher.”

Cody Brand in action for Calder Cannons.

Dustin Fletcher in action for Essendon

He was also spoilt for choice at the Cannons with Geelong premiership player Tom Lonergan as talent manager and 200-game North Melbourne half-back Ross Smith as coach.

The Sunbury junior impressed in 10 NAB League games last year but like every draft hopeful in Victoria missed out completely in 2020.

Brand presents as a lockdown full-back but can take a strong intercept mark when he sees the opportunity and has a raking right-foot kick.

He has used the time off to continue to hone his craft and put some much-needed muscle on his 196cm frame.

“Strength is a big area that the clubs have given me some feedback on and I’ve managed to put on a little bit of size, I’m sitting around 91-92kg, which is an improvement on last year,” he said.

“It’s good to be able to put that on but also maintain my conditioning fitness as well.

“I’m not going to lie it was hard (mentally) at times but we got through it and I think it stands me in good stead for whatever happens next week.

“It was a bit of a blessing in disguise getting time to focus on my Year 12 studies and setting up an avenue other than football.”

Brand is tied to Essendon as a member of the club’s NGA Academy.

However, several clubs have shown interest in him in the lead up to Wednesday’s draft and Brand was intrigued to see how it played out.

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“I’ve spoken to a fair few clubs, obviously they recognise that I’m in the academy, but it will be interesting to see if any challenge Essendon on draft night to match a bid,” he said.

“(Essendon) have said all along ‘keep ticking the boxes, keep doing what you do and you’ll put yourself in the best position leading up to the draft’, so take what you want from that, I’m just trying to keep a lid on it.

“If Essendon do pick me up or match a bid, well that’s an opportunity of a lifetime, if they don’t I’m still very grateful for everything they’ve done for me.

“To play league footy anywhere is an opportunity of a lifetime, a dream of mine since I was a kid, so I’m happy to go anywhere.”